IHSAA promoting assistant chief Neidig to next commissioner
John Neidig has spent 34 years in secondary education and athletic administration and has served as an IHSAA assistant commissioner since 2017.
Education & Workforce Development
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Goodwill closing 80 thrift stores in central, southern Indiana during pandemic
The not-for-profit, which has more than 4,000 employees, encouraged people to continue making drive-up donations at the stores during limited hours.
State teachers getting paid during closures; other school employees face uncertainty
It’s up to each district to decide whether to pay hourly workers—including bus drivers, custodians, food service employees and paraprofessionals—who are typically paid only for days when students are present.
Indiana law schools all decline in latest U.S. News rankings
Indiana University’s two law schools posted the biggest declines in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, while Notre Dame Law School slipped but was still within the range established in the previous few years.
Indiana school closures remain optional as other states order students home
More than 200 of Indiana’s nearly 300 districts have closed after consultations with local health officials. But, in at least 21 states, officials have ordered closures to try to stop spread of COVID-19.
UPDATE: Public schools in Marion, Hamilton counties closing
Mayor Joe Hogsett said that left unchecked, the coronavirus “has the potential to wreak untold damage on our families and the very social safety net that protects our most vulnerable residents.”
Gov. Holcomb bans gatherings of 250 or more, makes it easier for schools to close
“This is a time when we must do all we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect our most vulnerable populations and reduce their potential to acquire or spread this virus,” Holcomb said in a statement. “While some actions are drastic, now, not later, is the time to act.”
Zionsville, Lebanon shut down schools through at least April 6
Meanwhile in Boone County, both Zionsville and Whitestown are closing town facilities through April 6 beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Statewide student music competition cancels some events
More than 35,000 students from 300 schools were set to perform through April 11.
Butler, Ball State, UIndy suspending in-person classes after spring breaks
While Indianapolis-based Butler announced that its switch to virtual instruction would continue at least through April 4, officials for Muncie-based Ball State said they planned to suspend in-person classes through the entire spring semester.
UPDATE: Purdue, IU suspend in-person classes for at least part of spring semester
The decisions were made to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the potentially deadly respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. Neither school currently has a coronavirus case on campus.
Schools close over coronavirus threat, raising concerns about disruption
More than 380 schools have closed their doors because of the outbreak, moves that have affected nearly 260,000 students, according to a count by the education publication EdWeek.
Hendricks County elementary school student has positive COVID-19 test, school district says
This is the third reported positive test for COVID-19 in Indiana, and the second in Hendricks County.
DePauw University appoints new president following 8-month search
Lori White will be the first woman and the first person of color to serve as president of the 183-year-old school. When she begins her job in July, White will be the only black woman leading a university in Indiana and one of just a few in the nation doing so, the school said.
Indiana lawmakers back dropping tests in teacher evaluations
Indiana legislators have voted to end the mandatory use of student standardized test results in teacher evaluations, dropping a requirement long opposed by teachers.
First person of color tapped to lead IU’s McKinney law school
Karen E. Bravo has been named dean of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, pending formal approval by the IU Board of Trustees at its April meeting.
Indianapolis schools cancel bus routes after drivers call in sick
Indianapolis Public Schools said schools remained open, but students who are unable to get to them because of no buses would not be marked absent.
Lawmakers scrap plan to let schools count high school equivalency as diploma
The pilot would have allowed seniors behind on credits to be counted as graduates in Indiana if they pass a high school equivalency exam and take steps toward career training.
Franklin College promotes acting leader to president
Franklin College on Monday named Kerry Prather as president. Prather was appointed acting president effective Jan. 14 after the school fired President Thomas Minar, who faces three criminal charges related to child solicitation.
State might move deaf, blind schools rather than spend big on aging properties
The state’s separate deaf and blind schools need $100 million in upgrades over the next 20 years; state officials might start over with new buildings on a shared site.