Issue 1241

August 23, 2023

Indiana is within an eight-hour drive of half of the population of the United States. For the eclipse, Indiana is expected to have the 2nd highest count of visitors after Texas, according to information provided by Franklin County Emergency Management Agency Director Amy Lindsey.

Franklin County is on the edge of the totality zone, so it is unknown how many people will actually visit to view the eclipse. The county annually hosts large crowds for the Antique Machinery Show and Metamora’s Canal Days. Those crowds congregate in one place. Eclipse crowds will likely be in many areas across the county.

Planning is underway for as many as 100,000 visitors to the county for four days. Franklin County Community Foundation Executive Director Shelly Lunsford has been coordinating meetings of businesses, organizations and public safety officials. Franklin County Community Schools have already cancelled classes for April 8, 2024.

Fun events are planned for Brookville, Batesville and Metamora including a free pickelball tournament, a free bike ride on the Canal Trail, a music festival at Metamora’s Columbia Music District, a moon festival at Gateway Park, Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth”, reunions, scavenger hunt and more. For information about events, go tourism’s website at https://franklincountyin.com/events/eclipse-2024/

With so many visitors coming to the county, a special map is being drafted with event locations, observation sites, restaurants, medical facilities and main roads that can handle large recreational vehicles.

Based on experience elsewhere, planning ahead is critical. The last major solar eclipse visible in part of the Midwest was on August 21, 2017. Hotels, campgrounds and even farm fields were booked well in advance. People flooded into small towns such as Hopkinsville, Kentucky. There were massive traffic jams on main roads and back roads; gas stations ran low on fuel; and some restaurants ran out of food. The Red Cross was activated to help people.

For the 2024 solar eclipse, the state of Indiana began its planning a year in advance. Department of Natural Resources will have staff patrolling Brookville Lake. Indiana Department of Transportation will turn over control of Brookville’s traffic lights to local law enforcement. State parks will require a two-night minimum for reservations. Standard gate fees will be collected at state properties. Local volunteers with the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency are already discussing “what if” scenarios in an effort to be prepared.

Historically, Franklin County has a chance of cloudy weather in April. If clouds roll in on eclipse day, visitors would likely leave and travel to a location with sunny weather.

Watch for more solar eclipse news as it becomes available.

Reported by Sara Duffy

Social Media Rules Considered

Franklin County School Board Meeting

August 14, 2023

• The school board heard from the public about social media and considered a new policy.
• The board is discussing “school consolidation” in executive sessions as allowed by Indiana Code.
• The board voted unanimously to continue Kyle Van Meter as the varsity girls basketball coach for the coming season.
• Board members Rick Gill and Brandy Wilson were absent.

Photo: Facebook page for Franklin County Community School Corporation.

PUT OUR VIEWS ON FACEBOOK

Social media was on the mind of one person in the audience who addressed the Franklin County School Board at their August 14 meeting. It was also on the minds of the Franklin County school board members who are considering a new policy about social media for employees to follow.

Doris Tincher was part of a small group of local residents who attended the meeting. Ms. Tincher wanted to post her views about transgender people on the school’s Facebook page. Board President Francis Brumback replied that the public cannot enter information on the schools’ Facebook page. He said there has been a misunderstanding. An employee posted information on Facebook about equal opportunity and respect for all students that included a gay pride rainbow. This was not the school corporation’s Facebook page, said Mr. Brumback. He suggested that Ms. Tincher create her own Facebook page.

Ms. Tincher continued to press her point. “Are we going to have equal rights to put our views on the Facebook page as they did theirs…They are going against our beliefs and we ought to have an right to speak what we believe too…I am very concerned about how our schools are going and what is being taught. It is not right and it is not Biblical and it's time something is done about it.” President Brumback said that he is a Christian too, but “the schools can not be run according to the Bible."

SOCIAL MEDIA RULES CONSIDERED

Later in the meeting, the school board reviewed proposals for a new policy about social media that would apply to employees. If school employees use the school corporation’s name or logo on their personal social media page, then they must include a disclaimer at the top that the views expressed are their own and not those of school administrators or school board trustees. President Brumback suggested that they initially establish a “broad” policy and refine it as necessary in the future.

Superintendent School Tammy Chavis commented that employees could potentially be fired if they posted information on social media, which is lewd, “hate speech” or that promoted illegal behavior. The policy is still being edited. The final version will be available to the public when it is approved.

The school board continued their months-long review of existing board policies. Next month they will tackle all of the recent Indiana legislative changes to school operations.

“SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION” BEING DISCUSSED

The school board has met once in a closed-door executive session on June 19, 2023, to discuss “school consolidation” and will hold a second session on August 23. Such meetings are allowed under Indiana Code. The board has not yet talked about school consolidation in their monthly public meetings.

VANMETER CONTINUES AS GIRLS BASKETBALL HEAD COACH

The school board voted unanimously to continue Kyle Van Meter as the varsity girls basketball coach for the coming season. Prior to the vote, there were some vaguely worded comments about the girls basketball program, Coach Van Meter and coaches in general.

Board Member Kevin Kaiser said that concerns were discussed with Athletic Director Dustin Riley “who recognizes the need for improvement of the program as a whole going forward.” Mr. Kaiser’s has a relative who plays on the girls basketball team.

President Brumback commented that the board seriously takes into account the behavior of coaches, that all the coaches must be “role models” for student athletes and that Athletic Director Riley will provide Mr. Van Meter with direction.

Click to see the list of other personnel actions.

FINANCES & 2024 BUDGET

President Brumback complimented Business Manager Kendra Franks for securing an interest rate of 5.29% on investments, which have earned $174,000 more interest than last year. All of the corporation’s funds have higher balances than one year ago.

The proposed 2024 budget will be published on the school corporation’s website on August 30, in advance of a required public hearing.

PUBLIC COMMENTS - GAY PRIDE AND TRANSGENDER LAWSUIT

An unidentified woman asked whether a gay pride flag was flown at the schools during pride month. “No,” answered President Brumback.

Sam Samford asked the school board if they were aware that schools elsewhere were sued for participating in students’ decisions to transition their gender. President Brumback replied that Franklin County schools do not participate in students’ transgender decisions.

The next school board public meeting will be September 11 at 7:00 pm. Remote viewing is available from a link on the school board’s webpage.

Reported by Sara Duffy

Franklin County Circuit Court

Summer Intern Program

Photo L-R: Judge J. Steven Cox, Pros Moorman, Judge Clay M. Kellerman in the South Courtroom of the Franklin Circuit Court.

Pros Moorman is the 2023 Franklin County Circuit Court Intern serving both Circuit Court and Circuit 2. Judge J. Steven Cox created the internship program early in his tenure to assist local students interested in the study of law. Judge Cox and Judge Kellerman have maintained an active intern/ex-tern program for our community in hopes of strengthening awareness of the law and the proper role of courts within our system of self-government as well as assisting our students in resume’ building and employment opportunities. Franklin County Interns are exposed to all facets of the court system while serving as well as to the purpose and process of probation services.

Mr. Moorman is a resident of Oldenburg, Indiana, and a 2021 graduate of Oldenburg Academy. He will be starting his junior year this fall at Indiana University-Bloomington where he is a Business Major in the Liberal Arts Management Program, concentrating in the area of personal finance. His assistance was been greatly appreciated by the Court and he has been asked to return again next summer between his Junior and Senior years.

Submitted by Judge J. Steven Cox

4-H’ers Excel At State Fair

Photo: Kierstyn Kerr won Division 4 Champion Angus..

Other 4-H exhibitors inlcuded:

Julie Jacob - 1st place in Dairy Goat Class 

Olivia Rosemeyer - Reserve Champion Supreme Percentage Doe 

Serenity VanWinkle - Sweepstakes Winner in Geology

Cadence Haas, Sami Volk, Preston Boone - Rabbit Ambassador Participants

Submitted by Elizabeth Simmermeyer

Purdue Extension, Franklin County

WVRTA Scholarship

On Wednesday, August 9th, the Whitewater Valley Retired Teacher Association had their “Not My First Day of School” luncheon at Third Place in Brookville. At the luncheon Peter Volk was awarded the 2nd WVRTA scholarship, given to a FC resident attending an Indiana college majoring in education.

Congratulations Peter! The members attending enjoyed a delicious luncheon celebrating summer, friendship, and retirement. WVRTA is a local chapter of Indiana Retired Teacher Association.

Submitted by Becky Lanning

BATESVILLE LEADS AREA

IN IREAD-3 SCORES

The number of Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC) third graders who passed the Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD-3) assessment during the 2022-23 school year landed the school corporation at the top of the list of all area schools and in the top 10 of all schools who took the assessment statewide, according to a report released by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE).  IREAD-3 is one of the ways schools can determine the number of their students who have mastered foundational reading by the end of the third grade.

“Batesville Intermediate School (BIS) students led southeastern Indiana with an outstanding pass rate of 97.9%,” said BCSC superintendent Paul Ketcham. “That rate exceeded the state’s goal of 95%, and earned BCSC an eighth-place ranking in the entire state—third place, if only public schools are considered. This is a tremendous achievement for our school corporation.” Click to continue reading.



Submitted by

Batesville Community School Corporation Communications

Stop by Rileybrook Arts Center at 740 Main Street, Brookville, Indiana, on August 21-25 to view a display of acrylic pour paintings created by local artist, Gig Marmouze.

From Franklin County Arts Council

Around the County

Songwriter Round:

Sat. August 26

Four fine songwriters share their work on one stage. $10 at the door, or make table reservations on our website. Doors at 6, show at 6:30. Food from Ways of Grace ministry.

Submitted by Metamora Performing Arts

https://www.metamorampa.org

BHS Class of 1978 Reunion - Sept. 9

On September 9, 2023, the 45th reunion for BHS Class of 1978 will be held at American Legion Post 77, 1290 Fairfield Ave Brookville IN 47012. Happy hour 5:30-6:30. Meal served at 6:30.  Please RSVP by August 25, 2023 to Marcia (FERMAN) Lambert via Messenger or Facebook. RSVP Join our group, (1978 class Brookville IN high school), to get additional details. 

Submitted by Marcia Lambert

Click to see the flyer with more information.

Submitted by Mindy Orschell

Class of 1955 Brookville High School Reunion

LET'S GET TOGETHER FOR LUNCH AT THE HERMITAGE, 650 E. 8TH STREET ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 AT NOON. RSVP 765-647-5182 for reservations by September 11.

Guests are welcome. Call your classmate friends who may not have read this invitation.

Submitted by Martha Shea

Franklin County Historical Society Fall Meeting - Sept. 18

At depot building, Gateway Park, 19063 US Hwy 52, Metamora

6 pm dinner provided by Have-A-Bite Restaurant. Reservations due by Friday, September 15, to Pam Beneker, 765-647-7365.

7:00 pm  History of Historic Brookville Depot at Metamora 

by Candy Yurcak. The public is invited.

Submitted by Martha Shea

2023 Chicken Festival and Fry Off - Sept. 16

On the courthouse lawn in Brookville, IN.

Library Book Sale at Laurel - Sept. 18 - 20

Monday the 18th, Tuesday the 19th and half day Wednesday the 20th until 12 noon. Buy single books or by the box. Great bargain prices. 

Library Book Sale at Brookville - Sept. 20-23

Wednesday the 20th, Thursday the 21st, Friday the 22nd, and Saturday morning on the 23rd.

Submitted by Marty Mullin

Southeast Indiana Health Center - Free Clinic

We provide No-Cost, primary care services to residents of Franklin or Ripley County, Indiana on Tuesdays at our permanent location in Batesville and on Thursdays in our mobile clinic. No appointment needed. Call 812-932-4515 for times and locations.

1st Thursday of the month Brookville

2nd Thursday Versailles

3rd Thursday Laurel

4th Thursday Milan

Submitted by Bev Metze

Redlife Food Bank in Brookville 

Open every second and fourth Thursday from 4 pm - 6 pm and the third Saturday from 10 am - 12 noon. Please bring your own containers.

Submitted by Judy Drake

The Franklin County Observer is a free news service. At the Observer, we focus our coverage on events and meetings in Franklin County.

Our volunteer staff writers are all Franklin County residents who are committed to factual, impartial news reporting.

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