Several members of the public used the Nov. 26 meeting’s public comment period to press the School City of East Chicago board on two issues: cheerleading roster reductions after tryouts and staff shortages in applied‑skills classrooms.

Rebecca Smith, a parent and coach, said an athletic director’s Nov. 13 email limited elementary cheer rosters to 18 students after schools had already held tryouts and accepted 30 students to teams. "Implementing this limitation at this stage would require us to cut 12 girls," Smith said, describing the emotional and logistical toll on students who had practiced and fundraised. Victoria Aldridge, another parent, said the move caused confusion and distress for young students and called for clearer communication and planning.

Superintendent Doctor Bernay responded that the district had identified a broken railing on the Carrie Gosch gym and moved basketball games to Harrison for safety. He said the district will request repairs and that a claims‑docket item for railings should appear on a forthcoming board packet: "We will be addressing that. When the board sees an item on the claim docket for railings next board meeting, that's because I'm addressing it." Several trustees acknowledged the parents’ concerns and said athletics and facilities staff will expedite repairs and review scheduling options to accommodate teams.

Michelle Lloyd, an applied‑skills teacher who said she has worked in the district 18 years, urged the board to revise a staffing policy that she said allows PERA substitutes not to be replaced when they call off. "It is unsafe for me to run a classroom understaffed," Lloyd said, noting the applied‑skills program serves low‑functioning students who require multiple adult staff. Trustees asked Lloyd to submit the request in writing; Trustee Gomez asked for formal documentation so the board and HR can act.

Why it matters: Changes to athletic site assignments and roster policies affect participation and family access to games; facility fixes are an immediate operational issue. Staffing policies that leave specialized classrooms short of trained adult employees raise day‑to‑day safety and program‑delivery concerns.

What’s next: Superintendent Bernay said he will work with athletics and operations to prioritize the Carrie Gosch repair and that the claim for railings will be placed on the next claims docket for board consideration. Trustees requested a written staffing concern from Lloyd and HR follow‑up on PERA/ESS substitute coverage.

Direct quotes: "If we don't have enough staff because somebody got sick and had to call off, it's dangerous," Michelle Lloyd said. "We will be addressing that concern," Superintendent Bernay said.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 2913, topfinish SEG 3275.