We, the undersigned parents and students of Hamilton Southeastern Schools (HSE) formally declare our Vote of No Confidence in HSE School Board President Michelle Fullhart and Superintendent Dr. Allen Bourff.  Further, we demand their resignation.

Clearly, COVID has proven to be an unforeseen challenge across our country.  Our school leaders have shown they are unfit to lead our district in these challenging times.  Rather than look for creative ways to further HSE students’ success, the above named have buried their heads in the sand; choosing a path that has largely kept kids out of the classroom.  Where neighboring districts have found ways to mitigate the obstacles to ‘in person’ learning, our HSE leaders have simply turned away from the challenge, citing numerous obstacles.

The obstacles are too great to make a complete list, and are hardly unique to HSE.  The most common are distancing, potential COVID spread in the schools, staffing shortfalls, virtual vs in person learning, etc.  The students aren’t required to maintain 6’ distancing.  Nor should they be, particularly with masks on.  Yet HSE says the distancing makes it difficult to fit students in classrooms.  The science on Covid is clear- kids in the classroom are not generally spreading Covid.  Fishers has had a relatively low impact from the virus and the numbers are going down or flat.  Bars, restaurants, retail stores, etc, are opening at 100%.  The Hamilton County Health Department say kids are not spreading the virus in classrooms.  As for balancing in classroom students and virtual students, teachers are simply unable to manage the dual task load they’ve been expected to carry.  Balancing both virtual and classroom students in a single day is untenable.  Quite simply, the lack of a cohesive plan and poor preparation has left teachers feeling helpless and stressed.  

In addition, HSE leaders have been quick to hide behind the metrics and guidelines of the Fishers Health Department.  FHD guidance for schools is in some case exponentially more restrictive than county, state or federal standards.  True leaders would step up and challenge the inconsistent and unrealistic metrics and guidelines put forth by FHD.  HSE leaders have chosen instead to simply hide behind the curtain, allowing and even blaming the FHD for the current predicament.  Though HSE preaches adherence to FHD guidelines, that adherence is conveniently selective.  In the case of HSE staff children, student athletes and some children with working parents, the district is intentionally not adhering to the cohorting guidance with nearly 1000 students.  This is contrary to FHD guidance.  This is a slap in the face to the majority of HSE parents whose kids languish in the 50/50 model.

In totality, these problems add up to a potentially greater problem in the near future.  The unwillingness to put kids’ needs first has led to a record number of students leaving HSE for in person classroom learning in private schools and neighboring districts.  The financial toll of losing well over 700 students will result in budget shortfalls and potential pay cuts and layoffs in the next fiscal year. 

The effects of these HSE leaders’ poor decisions will linger for years to come.  Board members were elected by Fishers residents to advocate for HSE students.  Those members appoint a Superintendent to further that cause.  They should not be permitted to stand in the shadows and represent the interest of local governments and elected officials, teachers’ unions and political allies.  The damage must stop!  We demand an approach that truly puts students’ needs first.  These leaders have proven time and time again they’re not up to the challenge.  We can’t accept leaders that reference the negative comments, the vitriol, the public comments stating that they’re ‘sick of parents complaining’, while at the same time refusing to get our kids in the classroom 100%!  Michelle Fullhart and Dr. Allen Bourff must resign, effective immediately, and allow leaders that will fight for HSE students’ academic success as the first priority.