Is additional security being considered to protect our children; such as metal detectors at the front entrance of every school and locked doors which require ALL visitors to be buzzed in?

BCSC works continuously on school safety; and even before the horrific events in Newtown, CT, plans were being made to improve our practices in keeping students safe each day. Processes, procedures, and systems are all being reviewed both internally and with Brownsburg Police and other law enforcement and emergency management agencies.

Easily implemented adjustments have already been put in place. In addition, we expect other adjustments to be implemented through the spring once we are assured the adjustment will fully achieve the desired results and not create unintended consequences. Still further adjustments are likely to be put in place, including the potential of physical changes to the facilities.

For more information and to share your thoughts, plan to attend the School Safety Community Forum at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 24 at West Middle School.

Will a new Before/After School Program be replacing the YMCA service, and will there still be a summer camp that the Y or another group offers at an elementary school?

A Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued by the BCSC to groups, including the Y, that are interested in providing a before and after school program at our schools as well as a summer program. Regardless of which organization is selected, we expect the programs to be similar in nature and scope.

Why is the school corporation spending money for a new football field while portable classrooms are being used? Shouldn't the money be spent to alleviate the overcrowding?

To address the need for additional classrooms BCSC is currently adding kindergarten classrooms at three elementary schools (White Lick, Cardinal and Delaware Trail) and creating a preschool center at the old Lincoln Elementary building (now referred to as 310 Stadium Dr.). Moving preschool there will open additional classrooms at Delaware Trail Elementary. The next step for the 310 Stadium Dr. facility will be to move the Central Office functions there, so that the current Central Office space becomes classrooms for Brown Elementary.

These projects are intended to hold off the need for a referendum, which will occur when growth projections require construction of the next elementary school - Lincoln Elementary, which will be the twin to Reagan Elementary.

Why does it take so long for school board meeting minutes to be posted?

What you perceive as a delay may be due to the change in the Board meeting schedule. Only the second Monday of the month is a Board business meeting. The fourth Monday of the month is a Board work session (also open to the public) where the Board meets at various schools to hear reports and talk to staff. No official business/voting takes place at those meetings. Meeting minutes then, are approved a month rather than two weeks later. You can access meeting minutes in three ways: 1. attend the meeting; 2. subscribe to receive the minutes by email at www.enews.brownsburg.k12.in.us; 3. click on the School Board tab on the BCSC website.

Is it true that students who helped build sets for the high school musical are required to pay to attend?

For many years the practice has been that anyone who occupies a seat in the house for a play or musical is expected to pay for that seat. Students who work during the show, on the other hand (backstage run crew, costumes, props, etc.), are not required to purchase a ticket.

Did the Colts' Camp Trailer at Eagle Elementary include posters of Colts' cheerleaders in swimsuits?

The Colts' organization would be able to confirm that such an image was on display among the thousands of videos, posters, pictures, etc. contained in the Colts Camp trailer. We can confirm that all things "Colts" are represented in this trailer that routinely travels to schools throughout Central Indiana - players, coaches, cheerleaders, Super Bowl rings, the Lombardi trophy, videos, video games - most adults might describe the experience as sensory overload!

Why are the boundaries of Branches being changed?

The attendance boundaries of Branches are not being changed for existing homes. Rather than redistrict at this time, the Board recently approved "catchment areas" for the undeveloped areas of Branches. The home schools of Eagle and East Middle will remain the same for students in existing homes, but neither school can absorb the numbers of students that the undeveloped areas in Branches could bring. Therefore, anyone choosing to build in the remaining sections (1, 2, 3, 5, & 6) will know that their children's home school will be West Middle and Cardinal Elementary, which can absorb additional enrollment.

Why are seniors not allowed to play on the JV team?

It is common policy at high schools all over Indiana and the nation to restrict seniors athletic participation to the varsity team. Sub-varsity teams are preparing athletes for the varsity competition. A senior, on the reserve team, will not have an additional season to be selected to the varsity and would, in many cases, eliminate an underclassman from the reserve team.

If a senior was injured, it is possible for rehab purposes to allow the athlete to play a little time on the reserve team to get him/her up to speed, but is very rare and requires coach and athletic director approval.

Will Brownsburg Schools be teaching about or recognizing LGBT History Month in October?

The BCSC mission statement emphasizes our commitment to preparing students for the world in which they live, a world that they will share with people just like them as well as those who neither look, act nor believe as they do.

October is designated for almost 40 month-long observances for  health, culture and  awareness including domestic violence, breast cancer, cyber security, German/Italian/Polish American heritage, Down Syndrome, spina bifida, national arts & humanities and many others. It would be impossible to give equal time to every cause, belief and health issue.

BCSC believes that good teachers teach students HOW to think, not WHAT to think. Our teachers have age-appropriate, educationally sound discussions with their students regarding all manner of issues that will enhance and encourage their global understanding.

Is the safety of a child, which requires an absence considered excused, i.e. website hacking?

The parent always has the ultimate responsibility for making decisions in the best interest of their child. This is true in weather situations, where conditions may be such that MOST children can get to school safely, but certain areas may not be as safe. When the child is kept home under these conditions, the absence is excused.

While BCSC and federal authorities were certain there was no safety concern for our students and schools with the website hacking incident, that message may not have been communicated adequately to some parents. It has been decided then, that students kept home due to parent concerns on Thursday, September 13 will be excused.