This blog post is intended to keep you up to date on the happenings of the Board of School Trustees of the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County’s meetings. Please read below for a recap of the board’s March 11th, 2019 regular meeting.
Monday’s meeting began with a special performance by the Brandywine Elementary Sign Club, who opened the meeting by completing the Pledge of Allegiance in American Sign Language. The Sign Club was also recognized by the board at the meeting and performed the popular kids’ song Baby Shark in ASL.

New Palestine High School Principal Keith Fessler presented the student-led group VOICE, whose purpose is to educate and encourage their peers to lead a tobacco-free lifestyle.

Students in VOICE have met with Senator Crider and Representative Cherry to work together to help keep students tobacco-free.
The board also recognized NPHS Head Football Coach Kyle Ralph for being named the Indiana Football Coaches Association Class 5A Coach of the Year. Coach Ralph led the Dragons to a 14-0 2018 season and a Class 5A State Championship.

One donation was approved at Monday’s meeting. The Greenfield Banking Company donated $100 to New Palestine Intermediate’s tower garden, which is a part of the building’s Innovative Arts curriculum.
Three field trips were approved by the board. The NPHS fall sideline cheer team will attend Cheer Camp at Indiana University this July. The NPJH Band and Choir both received approval to travel to Kings Island in June.
At the request of NPHS Principal Keith Fessler, the board approved Friday, May 31st as the 2019 Commencement Date. Commencement will be held at 7 p.m. in the main gymnasium at New Palestine High School.
Representatives from the district’s construction team presented a general concept for a renovation project at New Palestine High School. We’ll have a separate story published on our NPHS Renovations page later this week with more information regarding the scope of the concept and the next steps in the process.
Student Services Director Dr. Marcia Piercy presented to the board on the district’s growing Early Childhood Learning program, current special education enrollment, and how the district is working to provide services to all of our special education students.
Finally, Mark Kern, President of the Southern Hancock Education Foundation (SHEd), along with SHEd Treasurer Laura Fowler and Secretary Kim Taylor, commented to the board regarding their upcoming Roaring 20’s Gala Fundraiser scheduled for April 26th at 6 p.m. at Addagio’s. SHEd’s mission is to promote and support quality public education in Brandywine and Sugar Creek Townships. We are committed to enriching the educational experience of all students within the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County.