BROWNSBURG — As Brownsburg schools got back in session Tuesday, parents and students saw some changes in a few areas, namely buildings, budgets, and buses.
The newest school, Reagan Elementary, will see its first class of students this school year.
Donna Petraits, director of communications for the Brownsburg Community School Corporation, said the school came in on budget and on time.
“Reagan Elementary is open to its first students — we’re very proud of that,” Petraits said. “It’s a twin school, so the other half will be built when we need it, similar to Cardinal and Delaware Trail [elementary schools]. It’s a very economical way to build schools.”
Brownsburg High School has also been under construction, with most of the work completed before students returned. Petraits said the only area not completed is the stage and some fine arts areas, which won’t be completed until December.
Nick Long, a sophomore at BHS, said he was “kinda” glad to be back at school and joked about the construction.
“I’ve got the same [locker] as last year, unless the construction guys decided to take a sledge hammer to it,” he said. “What’s up with all this construction?”
With less help from property taxes due to state cutbacks, school administrators have had to come up with creative ways to keep schools on track.
Petraits said the district has been extremely fiscally conservative in all building projects, so much so that the projects haven’t affected surrounding property taxes, which was something that the school board wanted to ensure.
They are also planning to go paperless with all of the school’s publications by 2009, including the high school newspaper, newsletters, and annual reports. All documents would be available to parents and the public online through an e-mail subscription system, Petraits said.
Another big change parents have not necessarily enjoyed, Petraits said, is the bus policy change.
“We have been very accommodating in the past with the flexibility to get children different places,” she said. “But we’re so big now with 7,000 students that it’s not practical, not cost effective, and can increase the chance of losing a child [between destinations].”
Parents have been asked to pick a consistent drop-off and pick-up point for their children.
“People are unhappy about it — it’s a change and people don’t like change,” Petraits said. “But we’re not being fully-funded anymore and it’s a price we have to pay.”
Some field trips will also be affected by the change. Fees will be applied and trip applications will come under more scrutiny by the administration. However, the schools are trying to come up with creative ways to help fund the trips and Petraits said no child will be denied the chance to go on a field trip based on their inability to pay.
There are also several new teachers joining the corporation. Through a state department grant three teachers from China will be teaching and living in Brownsburg all year. The corporation also offers foreign language classes in each of the schools as part of the “global initiative we’re working to embrace,” Petraits said.
High school media teacher Shawn Pierce, who was a photographer for WISH-TV Channel 8 in Indianapolis, said he’s got mixed emotions about his first day of classes.
“I’m excited and nervous,” he said. “Really anticipating getting started. I want to get in there and get my hands dirty. We’re going to focus on improving the quality. I want them to be able to look at what they’re doing and see it on TV.”
Petraits said even with all of the changes the school is looking forward to another good school year.
“It’s an excellent school system and that’s why people move to Brownsburg,” she said. “At every level, people recognize that it takes all of us and I truly think all share the vision of higher achievement together.”
charlee.beasor@flyergroup.com
Local News
Related Photos
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Media teacher and BCSC-TV adviser Shawn Pierce shows Donna Petraits some of the television equipment. Petraits is the director of communications for Brownsburg schools. / Photo by Charlee Beasor
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