According to Superintendent Jeff Swensson, the school district has finished evaluations for the first year of the new RISE standards.

“I think the Carmel Clay Schools did as good a job in a first year of a completely new evaluation process as any district in the state,” he said. “We’ve learned a lot… we’ve talked to teachers, we’ve talked to principals… and we perceive that we’ve got several ideas that, building on what we did this year, will then make the next step next year for Carmel RISE even more effective. One of the things we’re waiting on is to determine what the Department of Education expects us to do in regard to RISE because RISE and the standards in RISE are mandated across the state.”

Additionally, Senate Bill 189 regarding Performance Qualified School District designation passed through the Indiana State Legislature and will become a law on July 1. This law, which will allow for some “regulatory relief” from state regulations, may allow for some changes to the RISE standards as well, Swensson said.

“I’m looking forward to finding out a little more from Glenda Ritz, our new State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and her office about which portions of RISE… can be improved because we are ready to go after some of that,” he said.

According to Swensson, a potential amendment to RISE is the evaluation system. Currently all teachers are required to have five evaluations, but, he said, these tend to be consistent for teachers who are already considered “Effective” or “Highly Effective.” So, it is possible that these teachers only need three evaluations.

Still, Senate Bill 189 has the potential to impact more students – especially seniors. For example, Principal John Williams introduced a new, alternative senior schedule earlier this year. According to junior Spencer Satz, many juniors are interested in the implementation of this new system.

“It would be great to only take four classes next year,” Satz said.

While Senate Bill 189 becomes a law on July 1, Swensson said he is officially retiring on June 30. According to Swensson, it is time for him to “pass the baton” to the next superintendent. Although the school board has not yet selected the next superintendent, Swensson said it is his job to create a “smooth and positive transition.”