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Dear Editor:
On Friday, HSE Superintendent Dr. Stokes released a vague statement on the HSE website in response to the month-and-a-half-long investigation regarding a “Defund the Police” poster.
A Fishers High School graduate, Noah Shahnavaz, was killed in the line of duty this summer. On the day Noah’s brother returned to school after the tragedy, the poster was displayed in his classroom.
Their statement gives little detail and eludes that HSE will not be releasing the findings. Dr. Stokes mentioned that they would be offering improvements in the future, but provided no details, or any actionable items or disciplinary actions for those responsible.
The investigation was launched in August after a vast amount of media attention, body-cam footage of the progressive teacher’s previous actions, and after community outrage. The situation received the attention of the Fishers Mayor, Indiana State Police, Fishers Police Department, and their respective FOPs. These groups called for immediate action by the school district, leading to an independent investigation by local attorney and judge, Daniel Henke.
“Fishers One and its hundreds of community members are simply appalled by the weak response of the HSE administration,” Fishers One Founder Diane Eaton said. “The lack of action items, accountability, discipline, sensitivity and transparency continues to demonstrate a lack of leadership and a school culture that fosters disrespect and contempt for law enforcement. Although nothing with this administration or its current school board surprises me or the community anymore, it’s sad, just sad. The Shahvanaz family and community deserve better than this. It is very likely that this is far from over and more information will be coming out in the foreseeable future.”
The district had not made any updates or comments regarding the investigation since it began until Friday’s brief statement. The statement was released as the school district headed into its fall break.
In a statement released late Sunday evening on social media, the mother of the fallen officer pointed out that the negative attitude towards police officers and the culture found in HSE Schools only helps contribute to the climate in which her son was killed.
Fishers One has taken issue with the direction and lack of transparency of HSE Schools and has endorsed four candidates for this year’s HSE School Board District seats, including Tiffany Pascoe in District 1, Dr. Juanita Albright in District 2, Dawn Lang in District 3, and Ben Orr in District 4.
Fishers One
Fishers One identifies itself as a grassroots community-based organization dedicated to restoring academic excellence in our schools, maintaining Fishers as a great place to live, and cultivating the next generation of community leaders. You can learn more about Fishers One and how to get involved at fishersone.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/FishersOne.