At the Carmel Clay School Board Meeting on February 25, Superintendent Jeff Swensson reported on legislation currently in the Indiana State Legislature that may have an impact on the school district.

The Senate passed Senate Bill 189, which relates to Performance Qualified School Designation, with a vote of 44-5, and the bill has been assigned to Representative Todd Huston in the House. According to Swensson, it is “very important to urge the passage of Senate Bill 189 as written in the Senate” because it is in the best interest of the district. This law would provide “regulatory relief” for the district, leveling the playing field with charter schools in terms of academic outcome and potential for excellence.

According to junior Spencer Satz, the “regulatory relief” would benefit both students and teachers if Senate Bill 189 passes and becomes law this summer.

“In my opinion the school knows what’s best for the students over the state,” he said. “The school can more personally cater to the needs of its students.”

Additionally, though, there are several bills in the House that are not in the best interest of the district, including House Bill 1381, which requires a school system to accept transfer students. According to Swensson, this bill “takes away local control of placement of students” both in and out of the district as it does not allow for local enrollment to take priority.

“We’re very invested in (local enrollment) and properly so,” he said, “(so it is not) a bill friendly to Carmel Clay Schools.”

Similarly, Swensson said House Bill 1337 was recently introduced, but it provides competition for Senate Bill 189.

“We regard (House Bill 1337) as counterproductive,” he said, “(because it) eliminates local control inherent in Senate Bill 189.”