Nate Adams - Reporter

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Thursday, March 17th, the Harrison Township Advisory Board met for the second time this year. Following the death of advisory board member, Frank Ordner, the Republican Party caucused for his replacement. Sean Davis was selected to complete Mr. Ordner's term and is running to permanently fill the seat in November.

In the state of Indiana, public entities have an upper limit on the amount of funds they can hold in reserve. Harrison Township has been holding an excess amount and appears to be moving forward on plans to spend it down. They are pursuing several capital improvements at the moment including replacement of the aging fence around Cedar Hill Cemetery, a public restroom near the Corydon farmer’s market, and a training facility for Fire/Police/EMS on Fairview Church Rd.

The contractor providing the fence for Cedar hill is set to begin demolition of the old fence in the next week or two and the new fence will be going up thereafter.

The training facility was originally proposed to be for fire department training, there is currently no location in the county where much of the required training for volunteers can be done. It is now proposed to include a gun range and possible staging location for the county Sheriff Department as well as something for EMS. Plans for this project will be further discussed at the April 20th meeting of the Fire Chief’s Association at the Government Center at 7:00pm.

The initial plans for the restroom at the farmer’s market have been completed, but are being revised to include heating and cooling so that it can be used year round. Also, a discussion took place regarding the rise in homelessness around Corydon and the need to lock the restrooms overnight.

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LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO RECORDING HERE:

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Graylin Porter - reporter

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Last night's South Harrison School Board meeting was held at New Middletown Elementary school and featured a presentation from Directors of Curriculum Allison Schalk and Diane Owen. Schalk and Owen thoroughly explained a large swatch of student data collected over the past three years.

Student test scores have remained relative stable with minimal learning loss. While scores are not where Schalk would like them to be, she emphasized that they are still slightly above state averages. Schalk attributes that to South Harrison's effort to stay open over 2021 and not utilize virtual learning, stating that "being in person is something that cannot be overstated."

To listen to the presentation, skip to 1:15 in part 2 of our audio recording:

Starting around the 17:00 minute mark of the recording, Superintendent Steve Morris began his report by talking about HB 1134. He told those who attended the meeting that during his "retirement" he met with legislature representatives.

He stated the bill provides an "unnecessary burden on teachers" by requiring them to post their lesson plans a year in advance. He said that the schools already follow the Indiana Academic Standards and use Google Classroom so teachers already provide information about what is happening in their classrooms.

He called the bill "unnecessary and overkill" and that it is "damaging to public schools". Morris added the bill does not apply to private schools. He worries this could be the breaking point and drive people out of the teaching profession. He stated that only a few years back when they had an opening in the elementary school they averaged 20-25 applicants. Last year, the elementary had only three applicants for a vacancy. He asked that all contact their representatives about this bill and concluded his comments about HB 1134 stating that it is an "onerous piece of legislation.”

The Board heard a presentation by Bethany Miller about the High Ability program and answered many questions about the current state of the program and it's progress due to COVID.

The Harrison County Health board met in executive session and public meeting on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022. These meetings featured two notable personnel changes to the health board and the Harrison County Department.

Dr. Kevin Pierson resigned from the board and Greg Reas was recommended as his replacement.

Also, Health Department administrator Carrie Herthel submitted her resignation and Jennifer Caffrey will serve as interim director.

See the meeting’s minutes for more details.

Please note: THESE ARE DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE HARRISON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT BOARD MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022:

The Harrison County Board of Health met on Wednesday Feb 2, 2022 at 8:00 in the downstairs  conference room of the Health Department building. Board members present for the meeting were Dr.  Kelly Grossman, Dr. Lance Richards, Mr. Anthony Combs, Mr. Chris Byrd, Dr. Sharon Christie, and Dr.  Bruce Burton. Dr. Andrew Morton, Health Office, was also in attendance. 

Dr. Lance Richards made a motion to accept the minutes from the January board meeting and Mr.  Anthony Combs seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

Dr. Kelly Grossman discussed the letter of resignation of Dr. Kevin Pierson. Dr. Lance Richards made a  motion to except the resignation on a temporary basis, Dr. Sharon Christie seconded the motion and the  motion passed. 

Dr. Lance Richards made a motion to present Greg Reas to the Commissioners as Dr. Pierson  replacement, Anthony Combs seconded the motion and the motion passed. 

On the matter of a replacement administrator because of the resignation of Carrie Hertel, Dr. Andrew  Morton’s recommendation was to install Jennifer Caffery as interim administrator of 90 days while the  Board of Heath reviewed the matter farther. Mr. Chris Byrd made a motion to put Jennifer in the  position for 90 days with a permanent decision after time period. Anthony Combs seconded the motion  and the motion passed. 

Carrie Herthel, handed out the monthly department numbers and financial report the Health  Department. Carrie discussed full FDA approval for the Moderna COVID vaccine for anyone over 18, also  the request from Pzifer for a FDA review and approval for child as young as 5 under EUA and the request  Novavax for FDA a protein based vaccine for 18 years and over. There is currently a new stain of the  virus, OMICRON BA2. Locally and across district 9 data is showing that cases are hitting a plateau, and  overall the cases across the northern part of the state are trending downward.  

Alyssa Janes, Public Health Administrator, presented a candidate for the open Home Health position,  Amanda Scott is a resident of Harrison County with over 20 years of nursing experience. Amanda  interviewed very well and Alyssa is excited to have the position filled after several months. Dr. Lance  Richard made a motion to offer Amanda Scott the position, Dr. Bruce Burton seconded the motion and  the motion passed. 

Jennifer Caffrey, MCH Director, discussed the recent State quarterly review of the MCH clinic, stating  that the Clinic passed review. 

Jo Polk, Preparedness Coordinator, discussed testing numbers. Jo stated currently Gravity Diagnostic  has a POD set up at the Pool site to work out of. This is actually causing traffic flow issues, Jo will be  going to the site after the meeting to discuss the issues with Sonya Rhodes. In response to a question  about the future of the testing site and opening the pool for the season, Dr. Andrew Morton stated the  MOU with the Parks Department ends in April and grants to run the site end in June. The hopes would  be to move testing to the Health Department in April and stop testing in June if possible.  

Danny Schroeder, Head Environmental Health Specialist, discussed Senate Bill 301 which would allow for  campsites with holding tanks be installed in flood zone. Danny stated this bill would affect Harrison  County with the Parks Department wanting to develop the property at Morvin’s Landing into campsites. 

Barbara L Fleace, Vital Records Registrar, reported that the County has received $95,813.37 in FEMA  funds, and expecting $43,850.83, from three of the four projects currently active.  

Dr. Bruce Burton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 AM, Dr. Sharon Christie seconded the  motion and the motion passed.

Statement from superintendent Dr. Lance Richards:

Parents, Guardians, Students and Staff:

The North Harrison Community Schools will be closed on Thursday, February 3, and Friday February, 4.  By now, everyone is aware of the weather forecast and the near certainty that we will receive a significant amount of ice and snow over the next 48 hours.  We wanted to make the announcement early so that families can prepare.  Information on eLearning and other assignments will be sent with all students.  

As we have seen here recently, it can be a challenge to cancel based entirely on a forecast.  However, the National Weather Service has indicated that the roads will not be safe Thursday afternoon through Friday morning.  The northern portions of our district are likely to have icing during the morning commute.  

The girl's sectional games for this evening will be able to go on as scheduled.  

We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding.   

Stay safe and stay warm.  

Dr. Lance Richards 

Superintendent

North Harrison Community Schools

Last night the South Harrison School Board heard concerns from support staff corporation wide in relation to the implementation of e-learning days due to inclement weather. Kathryn Dixon works at South Central Elementary in the cafeteria and she spoke on behalf of support staff:

“I was hired to work 180 days a year. But now we’re being told that those days can be taken from us without pay, and with no notice, and for reasons beyond our control.”

As of now, support staff employees are given two options for these inclement weather days: to take them unpaid or use a personal day. The majority of support staff are being part-time and only receive five personal days.

“In order to get paid for a contract day of work, that is being missed because it’s being taken from us, that we need to use a personal day for that as well.”

Some support staff, such as Dixon, have been given a third option: to report to work anyway despite weather conditions or lack of work without school in session.

To hear her presentation, skip to 1:06 in our audio recording:

The Harrison County Parks Board met on Wednesday to discuss issues with Morvin’s Landing, future camp site possibilities, and an updated timeline for their move to the Wright Center in downtown Corydon. Parks superintendent Larry Shickles originally projected August 2021 for the ribbon cutting, but the move has now been pushed to February.

LISTEN TO THE FULL AUDIO HERE:

North Harrison superintendent Dr. Lance Richards issued a statement today with plans to return to in-person learning on Monday:

Starting Friday, January 12th, North Harrison Community Schools will transition to remote learning:

Parents, Guardians, Students and Staff:

This is an email we had hoped we would not have to send at any point this year.  

The North Harrison Community Schools are transitioning to eLearning starting tomorrow, Friday, January 14th.   We will be in eLearning all next week.  We will return to in person learning on Monday, January 24th.  This decision was not made easily as we recognize the enormous impact this has on our entire school community.  Once we realized the challenges we were facing, we wanted to send this information as soon as we could so that families could prepare.  

As the day has progressed, it has become obvious that we will not be able to adequately staff our buildings tomorrow and into next week.  That is compounded by the fact that in just the last 24 hours we have seen our highest levels of quarantines and positive cases.   Simply put, we are rapidly trending the wrong way.    If you follow our Covid dashboard you have noted that we have largely been holding our own in terms of Covid numbers for most of the year.  If you have monitored it over the last 24 hours you will have seen that our quarantines are dramatically increasing and our overall positivity is up significantly.  

We plan to keep our offices open to assist families and staff through the week.   We will run our Prosser buses for those students that attend there. We will have food distribution for everyone.  A different email will be sent in regards to signing up for food.  We will bring it to you if you can't come and get it.  

We appreciate everyone's flexibility and understanding.  Our school community has been terrific.  This is not something we wanted to do.  

Please remember that we are not in school on Monday.  More info will be sent from each building to clarify our path forward.  

Sincerely, 

Dr. Lance Richards

Superintendent

North Harrison Community Schools

As of now, there are currently 45 active student cases, 9 staff, and 209 individuals quarantined: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b8w2NbhYcOEm1gyDiquscCJ2vHRo7bmRgn5iuJyzzz0/edit#gid=0

As of Wednesday, January 12th, South Harrison Community Schools currently has 42 active student cases, 12 adult, and 159 individuals quarantined:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vSnGiooU58cFXyDJdQNyjj0JB7vj5pXMj9FaAs0L9yON4F0rXdThmy7WsH_Wm5RFEaBGDHAjwvz7kSK/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.g947d86bedd_0_0

After a lengthy discussion between Harrison County Sheriff Nick Smith and the council, an agreement was made to provide funding for new vehicles at the Sheriff’s Department.

The council voted to take $200,000 out of public safety and $50,000 out of riverboat to achieve this.

To watch this discussion, click here and skip to 5:05 in the meeting video

nate adams- reporter

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The Corydon Town Council meeting on January 4th started with an election. Having decided to step aside as president, Les Rhoads nominated Hope Schneider to be his replacement. She was elected by the council with no other nominations.  Paul Hamann to continue as VP.

Planning for the Urban Trail continues. As part of the grant process for INDOT there will be a presentation for them this Thursday (not open to the public). Public meetings will follow later in the process.

The county appears willing to lend a helping hand by taking over responsibility for the slab bridge on Mulberry Street. The council gave permission to move forward with planning.

The council approved $43,000 for a new dump truck to replace an aging piece of equipment for the street department. None of the potential suppliers could give a delivery date but they are hoping for 6 months to a year.

Town Manager Scott Flickner then gave a preview of things to come. He is working with Baker Tilly, the town’s financial consultant, on a sustainable plan to provide compensation for on-call employees in the water, sewer & street departments, and to create a rotating schedule for those employees. Currently department supervisors are expected to be on call and are the only employees ever on call. While the current supervisors are apparently ok with the current situation, Mr Flickner doesn’t see the same willingness to sacrifice time with family from younger employees. Corydon is one of very few similarly sized municipalities without a rotating schedule.

He also has a wishlist of things he would like to do with American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds including “premium pay for essential workers” (NOT a bonus). He is working with outside counsel to ensure the funds are distributed according to law. No one wants to have to refund the funding. This will be discussed in greater depth at the next meeting on January 18th.

Last night’s school board meeting featured an update to covid guidelines from superintendent Eastridge. Skip to the 54:00 mark to hear those updates:

Bruce Cunningham of South Harrison Water returned to follow-up on an original request made in October 2021 regarding new water lines in Harrison Township. Cunningham is asking for a $500,000 loan for this project. The commissioners expressed concern about the council’s reception to the request. They voted to table it for the time being.

TO WATCH THE PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION, CLICK HERE & SKIP TO 3:35 IN THE MEETING VIDEO

Today’s meeting also featured all the board appointments by commissioners for 2022:

Alcohol Beverage Board: Joe Shireman

Alternative Education Center: Jim Heitkemper

Blue River Regional Water Board: Dwight Clunie

Zoning Appeals: Maynard Crawford

Chamber of Commerce: Nelson Stepro

HC Community Services: Charlie Crawford

Conservation Committee: Darrell Voelker, one additional appointment tabled

Economic Development: Daniel Shireman, Charlie Crawford

Economic Development Commission: Charlie Crawford, Jim Heitkemper, Nelson Stepro

Family and Children: Jim Heitkemper

Health Board: Chris Byrd

Heth Washington Fire District: Rebecca Reed, Bill Spithe

Lifelong Learning: Jennie Capelle

Organization of Disabilities: Nelson Stepro, Charlie Crawford

Palmyra Fire District: Kim Frederick

Plan Commission: Charlie Crawford, Gary Reed, Phil Williams

PT BOA Board: Larry Shickles, Carolyn Lowe, Patricia Badger Byrd, Steve Anderson (alternate)

Regional Ten Workforce Board: Jim Heitkemper

Regional Sewer District: Tom Tucker

River Hills: Jim Heitkemper

Solid Waste: Nelson Stepro, Jim Heitkemper, Charlie Crawford

Tourism Board: Michael Wiseman, Scott Fluhr

Webster Township Fire District: Melissa McPhillips 

Miltown/Whiskey Run Fire District 4: Bill Booth, Jerry Harmon

Harrison Township Fire District: Matt Kitterman

CLICK HERE FOR A full list of appointments made in 2021

The Harrison Township Advisory Board discussed the future of the HC Parks superpass program, a new public restroom at the farmer’s market, a possible open door violation, and more at last night’s meeting:

Their next meeting will be Thursday, January 20th 7:00pm at the Harrison County Government Center.

Wednesday’s Harrison County Parks Board meeting included, among other items, a discussion on new branding for the Indian Creek Trail. Superintendent Larry Shickles also gave the board a report out on the Christmas hayrides for 2021.

Shickles also gave some more information regarding the Parks Department’s hayride refund policy at the 34:42 mark on our audio recording:

At yesterday’s commissioners meeting, Harrison County resident and Harrison County Planning Commission board member Larry Ott publicly addressed a recent change of zoning on a property directly north of the Amazon distribution center currently under construction.

He asked them not to approve the zoning change so that a buffer of dense trees remains intact, but the commissioners went ahead and approved the change.

CLICK HERE AND SKIP TO 44:50 to watch this discussion

Nate adams - Reporter

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In a meeting on Monday, November 22, the county council considered a proposal from Sheriff Nick Smith & Auditor Chad Shireman to allow the Sheriff Dept & Emergency Services to payout employees for accrued vacation hours beyond what they could carry over into next year. It is hoped that this will allow a little more scheduling flexibility so that employees can in some way take the benefits awarded to them without forcing the Sheriff Department to pay another employee overtime for them to do so. This will likely save the department money. They will vote to adopt the final language at the next meeting on December 3rd.

Harrison County Parks superintendent Larry Schickles was on hand to request funding to proceed on the Morvin's Landing. He requested $68,700 to replace money previously transferred away from the project, which will be directed towards installing electricity & lighting. He also requested $77,654 from the Morvin's Landing lease fund to begin permitting and acquire hardware for a boat dock. His tentative estimate of total costs for the dock is in excess of $155,000 based on numbers he provided to the council. He will return to request additional funds after the new year. Votes for both will be on the agenda for the 12-13 meeting.

Shickles’ presentation starts at 14:00 mark in the meeting video, click here to watch.

The council approved a $250,000 five year loan to the Harrison County Regional Sewer District so that they could install the new force main for the New Salisbury area. The HCRSD now has funding to complete all of their current expansion plans in that area. Councilman Nix has already identified areas where the RSD should expand access following their current round of expansion. He also broached the idea of the RSD giving over all of this not-yet built infrastructure to the not-yet incorporated town of New Salisbury so that New Salisbury could direct future expansion.

The council approved $25,000 for the commissioners to begin the incorporation process for New Salisbury. This will involve doing initial surveys of the area and polling residents for interest. Council members Schultz and Castetter sought assurance that the public would be involved in this process and councilman Hussung seemed to think it would be in the county's best interest to absorb the large upfront. In a conversation about the known level of interest in the New Salisbury community, Commissioner Charlie Crawford responded:

"I think one of the big challenges is for the Commissioners, or the individuals that are going out there talking with them, to be salesmen and convince them it's in their best interest..."

To watch this discussion, click here and skip to 1:17:00 in the meeting video

Last night the board also voted to send Shickles on to the county council to ask that recently approved funds from the county and the Town of Corydon be put into a special non-reverting fund specifically for the Christmas Village.

These funds totaling $15,000 were originally approved on the condition that they would revert if gone unused.

Skip to 5:00 in the audio recording to listen to this request:

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