AUGUST 20TH
WEE GARDEN
9 AM - 3 PM
EXCLUSIVELY SPONSORED BY-
PARADISE SPRING HISTORICAL PARK
Children of all ages can come and enjoy many different activities such as designing their own upcycled picture frame, decorate a flower pot, plant their own flower, decorate a large garden totem to donate to the park. Face painting and other fun activities.
WABASH
the “Active Teachers’ Grant Fund”. Help make this chair auction the most successful one yet!
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. August 17, 2016
AUCTION STARTS AT 2:30 PM EXCLUSIVELY In memory of Cheryl Koehler this year’s SPONSORED BY- charities are “Blessings in a Backpack” and
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Vol. 39, No. 23
The Chair Affair
www.thepaperofwabash.com Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
The MSD of Wabash County School Board listens to public comments during its Aug. 9 meeting, which it voted 4-1 to rescind its decision to reconfigure the school district. Photo by Emma Rausch
MSD board rescinds vote By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com
The MSD of Wabash County School Board rescinded its decision to reconfigure the district at its meeting Tuesday night, Aug. 9, but not without objection. In a 4-1 vote, the Board approved a resolution that rescinded its July 12 decision to reconfigure MSD’s two high schools into one, a judgment which violated Indiana’s Open Door Law, according to Luke Britt, the state’s appointed Public Access Counselor. However, several board members continued to claim that it had acted in its full legal right, including Kevin Bowman, who was the sole vote against rescinding the reconfiguration decision. Bowman claimed that The Paper of Wabash County, which is responsible for filing the formal complaint against the Board, “is trying to build evidence of conspiracy and try to vilify the Board” for disagreeing with the reconfiguration decision. “The Paper questions the public’s ability to trust us,” Bowman said. “I question the public’s ability to trust The Paper, but I guess it is free. Public education’s not.”
Where the blame lies, Page 25 Editor Joseph Slacian stressed that The Paper did not lodge a formal complaint against the Board’s decision to reconfigure, but over how it developed the plans. “This is an issue of transparency,” Slacian said. “The Board, a local, elected governing body, planned a districtwide reconfiguration in private and violated the Open Door Law. “The Paper has an obligation to the public to serve as its watchdog. Had this been County Council, City Council or any other governing body, it would have acted in the same way. The MSD School Board does not get a pass on violating state law just because it acted ‘to benefit’ Wabash County’s children.”
Board disputes claims On Aug. 8, Britt released his advisory regarding the MSD School Board’s decision to reconfigure the district. In his opinion, he asserted the Board
violated the Open Door Law when it voted to combine Northfield and Southwood schools and close Sharp Creek Elementary. “Based on the foregoing (information), it is the opinion of the Indiana Public Access Counselor that the Wabash County School Board has violated the Open Door Law,” Britt said, “however, they have been afforded an opportunity to correct non-compliance going forward. “It is my sincere hope that they take the advice of their legal counselor and superintend(ent) in remedying the situation.” Following the Board’s initial decision, The Paper launched an investigation into if this decision violated the state’s Open Door Law before filing a formal complaint with the Counselor on July 28. The Paper believes that the Board discussed reconfiguration plans during at least three executive sessions including June 8, June 14 and July 7. At the Board’s Aug. 9 meeting, Board member Todd Dazey read a resolution to rescind the July 12 decision. “In approving reconfiguration, board members believed that they were discharging their responsibilities legally (continued on page 4)
Teachers’ association backs recission vote By The Paper staff The MSD of Wabash County Education Association released a statement Thursday afternoon, Aug. 11, on the district’s reconfiguration issue: “The Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Wabash County Education Association supports the MSD school board’s decision to rescind the reconfiguration for the time being,” Adam Marlatt, Association President, said. “This will enable the public and the school board to have more time to consider all of the possible ramifications of the potential change. We encourage everyone that could be affected by the reconfiguration of Northfield and Southwood High Schools to attend the public meetings on Aug. 15 and 17. “These meetings will allow parents, teachers and community members to raise all of their concerns before the school board to ensure that all potential issues are looked into before a final, binding decision is made.” At the end of the day, Marlatt continued, (continued on page 6)