Carroll board forms 'innovative school committee' and hears homeschoolers request athletic access

The Carroll Consolidated School Corp. board voted to establish an "innovative school committee" to explore curriculum development, instructional practices, scheduling and other ideas to improve services for students, staff and families.

Superintendent (speaker labeled 'Superintendent') outlined the committee's proposed membership: the superintendent as chair, building principals (or designees), the high-school guidance director, the CEA president, three junior-high teachers, three elementary teachers, two board members and the business manager. The committee's work may include examining a possible four-day school week and whether the district should seek a waiver from the state to pursue such a schedule.

The committee discussion followed public comment from Deidre Hahn, who identified herself as a homeschooling parent and said she also drives a bus for Carroll. Hahn asked the board to consider allowing homeschooled students to participate in Carroll athletics under criteria she cited from another district, including a minimum of three years homeschooled, district residency, taking one class period and completing statewide exams; she said several local families would be interested if Carroll adopted similar guidelines. "I homeschool our 4 kids and ... drive a bus for Carroll," Hahn said. "Most of them have been homeschooling 3 years, but not all of them. That'd be something you guys would consider with your innovative school committee."

Superintendent invited Hahn to speak further with the board and staff and encouraged ongoing discussion: "...that's why I encourage her to come and talk to the board just to share that with you guys too," the superintendent said. The board approved the committee formation by motion and voice vote.

The committee will determine its meeting cadence and whether to invite students or parents for specific topics. The transcript references state guidance used elsewhere (identified as "ISHA guidelines" in the public comment) and statewide exams administered by the Indiana Department of Education; the transcript does not expand the 'ISHA' acronym and the board did not adopt specific eligibility rules during this meeting. The superintendent said district staff will assist families if statewide-exam completion becomes a requirement.

Next steps: the board authorized formation of the committee and directed initial membership as presented; specific policy changes on homeschool athletic participation would require later committee recommendations and a separate board action.