Community Informational Roundtable: Local Education Topics
Join local parents, community members, community experts, and passionate educators at this roundtable event in the NEW Monroe County Public Library where we address topics on public education in our county. There will be 6 tables to choose from. You will get to choose to rotate to three during the event for mini sessions that include information and the ability to ask questions. Light snacks and beverages will be served.
Tables and Their Hosts
Finding Common Ground: How can we bridge differences in this current education culture war and find common grounds of understanding? Tools and approaches will be presented.
Hal Turner, Co-Chair, Braver Angels of South Central Indiana
Hal spent 24 years with IBM where he held various technical and management positions with Systems Operations, Mainframe Unix Development and Supercomputer Development (including the Deep Blue Project” machines). He spent 10 years working with Todd Young in the US House of Representatives as Congressional Office Manager here in Bloomington, and in the U.S. Senate as Special Assistant to Senator Young. Hal is currently President of the Sycamore Valley Gun Club located in Freedom Indiana. He is also working as South Central Indiana Alliance Red Co-Chair for the Braver Angels of Indiana, and a 3-term Board Director of Stone Belt ARC, an organization that serves Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled adults. |
MCCSC Referendum: Learn about the upcoming Monroe County Community School Corporation 2023 referendum. The vote will be November 7, 2023.
John Kenny, CFO, Monroe County Community School Corporation
John has been the Chief Financial Officer at the Monroe County Community School Corporation for the past 6 ½ yrs. Previous position include Chief Financial Officer – Indiana University Alumni Association, Bloomington, IN, Director of Finance – Centerstone of IN, Regional Mental Health Center, Bloomington, IN, and City Controller – City of Richmond in Richmond, IN. John has been a key project leader in the EV bus initiative with MCCSC. |
Special Education Services: Learn about services available in public schools for children with disabilities and supports available for families. Information regarding other services outside the public schools (Educational Savings Accounts, Services in Charter and Private Schools) will also be available.
Sarah Cassavaugh, IN*SOURCE Team Leader & Special Education Liaison
Sarah was brought to this work through personal experience and passion for helping individuals and family members navigate the special education process. She has ten years of experience, working in both Michigan and Indiana in their state/federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers. She was the recipient of the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children Outstanding Advocate of the Year 2021. |
Jennifer Bickel, Assistant Special Education Director, Monroe County Community School Corporation
Bio to come! |
Ins and Outs of Preschool: Did you know that RBB and MCCSC offer preschool programs. Learn about MCCSC's preschool program from how to apply to teaching approaches.
Laura Stickels, Manager - Early Learning and Out of School Programs, Monroe County Community School Corporation
Laura has been actively employed in the field of youth work for over 35 years and currently holds the position of Manager for the Office of Early Learning and Out of School Programs with Monroe County Community School Corporation. In this position, Laura manages programs across the district serving families with children ages 6 weeks through 7th grade. Together, with MCCSC administration, Laura continues to help develop and expand programs which serve Monroe County’s youngest learners. These programs enrich student achievement by providing inclusive, safe, high quality learning environments that build connections between school, family and community. |
What Is School Choice?: Discover the numerous publicly funded school choices in Monroe County and their differences.
Keri Miksza, Chair of Indiana Coalition for Public Education–Monroe County
Keri has been chair of ICPE–Monroe County for almost two years. This is a volunteer position. Prior, she was vice chair and board member. An avid data digger and public education advocate, she has penned an article about the connection between rural schools and healthcare, been a guest on WFIU's Noon Hour and the podcast Have You Heard, and interviewed for numerous publications. She writes ICPE-Monroe County's "Five Things" every month. She has worked in textbook publishing for 20 years and is currently a project manager for a residential design build firm. |
School Funding: Stumped by school funding? Curious about what taxes pay for what? It's complicated. Learn the gist.
Matt Irwin, Assistant Superintendent, Richland Bean Blossom Community Schools
Matt Irwin has been with RBB - Edgewood Schools since 2019. His experiences in education prior to serving at RBB in his current role include stops as a classroom teacher, school counselor, coach, and building level administrator. His postgraduate degrees are in business administration and as an educational specialist. His primary roles at RBB include overseeing the school's finances, operations, and personnel. Since serving at RBB - Edgewood Schools, Matt was awarded the Indiana Association of School Business Officials Region 7 Business Official of the Year award in 2022. |