Friday, March 28, 2025
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COFFEE AND SCHOOL CONVERSATION
Shelbyville Central Schools Superintendent Matt Vance, Ph.D., provides an informal public update Wednesday at Porter Coffee on issues related to local schools. | photo by JACK BOYCE
Between the Shelbyville Central Schools board meeting and an informal “Visit with Vance” at Porter Coffee this week, there were several updates on local schools, including the following:
The board formally recognized Shelbyville High School junior Riley Everette for breaking two school swim records this season and her recent appearance at the IHSAA Girls Swimming and Diving State Finals. She was also a regional qualifer for golf in the fall. “Her hard work, dedication and positivity set her apart this season, and her accomplishments speak for themselves,” SCS Board Vice President David Finkel said.
The board accepted a $50,000 donation from the Barton L. Kaufman Trust for SHS Athletics. Kaufman, who passed away last December, was a stand-out athlete at Shelbyville High School and Indiana University. The IU baseball stadium is named in his honor.
At the coffee session, Dr. Vance discussed updating the SHS locker rooms for the first time since they were constructed in the late 1960s. Work, which will include renovating the old high school weight room area into offices, still start in March 2026. Shelbyville Middle School is slated to receive extensive updates, as well. That two-year project should begin this summer.
Dr. Vance highlighted a new daycare program for children of staff members. “It’s a good feeling when (staff) come in, drop their child off in a school building, and they know (their child is) well taken care of. And again, we have an outstanding staff in there that’s looking after these children.”
SCS is in declining enrollment. The most recent count day had SCS at 3,575 students. In 2016-17, enrollment was 3,917. The corporation receives approximately $7,300 per student for the education fund. “When the enrollment is tied into dollars, it’s made it very difficult…,” Dr. Vance said. Potential changes to property taxes at the state level is also concerning. However, Dr. Vance said he is optimistic that new housing developments in Shelbyville may provide some relief. Approximately 20 percent of SCS students require special education services and approximately 10 percent are English Learners.
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NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Central Schools’ Behavior Team - comprised of Kris Baker, Dr. Christina Bradburn, Morgan Dirr and Heather Wilson - last year presented “Hear Today, Use Tomorrow - 25+ Tips and Tricks to Enhance Your Behavior Management Toolbox” at the National Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Baltimore. The presentation attracted 291 attendees, and the local group recently received recognition for having a highly attended session. The presentation was a compilation of the strategies the education professionals share daily with teachers to help support staff and students at SCS.
Shelby County Democrats met this week, led by a new slate of officers, which include Joe Land, chair; Winnie Soviar, vice chair; Linda West, secretary; and Sherry Mohr, treasurer. The next meeting is scheduled for April 22, 7 p.m., in the Shelby County Public Library annex. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned good items for donation.
HOOSIER NEWS: The State of Fair Housing Report – Marion County Foreclosure Update shows foreclosure rates in central Indiana have increased annually for the last three years. Marion County ended 2024 with 1,630 foreclosure filings — the highest number since 2018. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: Nike Dunks emerged in the 1980s and now account for 18 percent of Nike’s entire footwear sales, or about $5.85 billion worth of shoes. Generally, Nike wants to rotate its brands to keep ahead of the trend cycle. However, the sheer size of the business around this particular basketball shoe could cause serious issues if the style goes out of fashion. The company plans to dial back on the classic sneaker style by as much as 70 percent to avert that issue. (Bloomberg/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Feb. 4, 1969
President Nixon’s inauguration had been watched by the fourth hour U.S. History classes of Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Klene and Mr. Comstock. Bob Horton had arranged for the television and decorated the display cases outside the library. Robbins T.V. provided a large Curtis Mathis color console.
Mrs. Emily Swigert, a native of Shelbyville, Ky., was a new teacher in the building. Her husband was buying the Mister D’s Cleaners on East Broadway. They had two sons, Kirk, 8, and Camm, 5.
Mr. Steve Cunningham, local insurance agent, presented to Mr. Comstock’s seventh hour class on casuality insurance.
Mask and Dagger presented “Hansel and Gretel.” Cast members included Randy Musgrave as Hansel and Debbie Boyd as Gretel, as well as Dave Callahan, Mary Jane Sawyer, Wendy Johnson, Rhonda Boyd, Julie Johnson, Jerry Coffey, Tom Warrick, George Torres, Velinda Fairchild, Susan Kemper and Debbie Talbert.
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This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Narendra and Sondra Jhala, owners of Thermo Transfer, 1601 Miller Ave., announced plans to demolish their factory and rebuild. The company had been operating out of 872 Miller Ave. after a heavy snow had caused the roof to collapse on their plant, and all the machinery had to be moved.
1995: The Shelbyville Board of Works once again handled a complaint about a CB radio owned by the resident of 821 Noble St. A neighbor complained that the man’s CB radio caused interference with his telephone, television and stereo.
1985: The first grade class of Paula Chappelow, Loper Elementary, collected over $160 for the Statue of Liberty fund by reading over 239 books. The students had taken pledges from five cents to $1.
1975: The Major Hospital board of directors discussed a proposal for a new community hospital, a modular, one-story structure with 80 beds, which would have been built on 20 to 30 acres near Shelbyville. The hospital had 95 beds, and the patient census typically stayed between 37 and 55 patients, hospital officials said. The board also approved an early retirement for Carolyn Rosenfeld, R.N., who had been with the hospital 35 years, and had worked at other hospitals before coming to Major.
1965: Workers installed the “J.C. Penney” lettering on the new store building at Belaire Shopping Center.
1955: Bob Cowherd was named the winner of the Paul Cross Award. The award had been given annually since 1920 by Rev. and Mrs. Cross in honor of their son, who was the first Shelby County man killed in World War I. Harold Pickett, former mayor of Shelbyville, was the speaker at the ceremony. Bob McNew, senior forward, presented roses to Mrs. Cross and received the captain’s star.
1945: Girls selected to be on Shelbyville High School’s May Court were Natalie Breedlove, Betty Jo David, Margaret Gross, Martha Hayes, Janice Kimberling, Barbara Plymate and Florine Weintraut. Mary Seller, George Small and Betty Cox were in charge of program planning.
1935: A nicely dressed elderly man who arrived on a bus went to the Salvation Army saying he didn’t know who he was or where he was going. The man said he didn’t have any money for a bus ticket. He told the staff his feet hurt, and after some time, they persuaded him to take off his shoes. When he did, he found he had been standing on a wad of money and a piece of paper with his son’s name on it. Salvation Army staff helped him get back to the bus station.
1925: Indiana Bell officials said constant phone congestion was due to so many people making calls. Instead of two-party lines, the company would be installing four-party lines moving forward. There were numerous people on a waiting list for phone service. There were 6,000 telephones in the county, which had about 40,000 residents.
1915: Plans were announced for a Prohibition rally to be held at City Hall.
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OBITUARIES
Harold Davis Branson, born August 25, 1936, in Shelby County, Ind., peacefully departed this life on March 26, 2025, at the age of 88. Harold was known for his funny wit, his unwavering loyalty, and his dependable nature.
Harold married Rose Linville in 1959, and they enjoyed 66 years together. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran serving his country honorably in the Korean War. He spent his entire professional life dedicated to his work at KCL Corporation, retiring after 46 years. After his retirement, Harold found joy in his love for the outdoors, especially his hobby of fishing, a pastime that would bring him peace and endless stories to share with his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Ruth Branson; a son, Terry Branson; his twin brother, Gerald; brothers, Bud, Johnny, and Robert; and two sisters, Dorothy and Frances. Harold is survived by his loving wife, Rose Branson; his sons, Todd and Tony Branson; his daughter, Tracy (Steve) Nuthak; 3 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, a brother, Tom (Judy) Branson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Bennett Cemetery in Shelby County. We invite all who knew and loved Harold to share their memories and upload photos to his memorial page. His legacy of laughter and love will continue to bring joy to those who remember him. Online condolences may be shared at glenngeorgeandson.com.
Josette Louise Bishop, 93, passed away March 24, 2025, at MHP following a brief illness. Josette was born July 10, 1931, in Bordeaux, France, to Albert & Helene Forcade. She experienced the Nazi occupation of France and shared many stories from that period of her life.
After the war, she married American serviceman Arthur R. Bishop and came to the United States. Arthur preceded her in death on June 13, 2015. Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Claude Forcade of Bordeaux, France, and her two daughters, Susan and Lilian. She is survived by her sons Harold (Mike Lawson) of Indianapolis, Roly (Gina) of Shelbyville, and Joe (Jennifer) of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandchildren Alexis Bishop (Herb McFarland), Brandon Bishop (Haley Miller) of Cincinnati, and Alison Fisher (Brian Steuerwald) of Fishers; great-grandchildren Joseph McFarland of Cincinnati, Stella and Edie Fisher of Fishers; and her niece, Helene Forcade of Bordeaux, France.
She was a dedicated mother and devout Catholic. Josette had maintained her French accent and her delicious French cooking to the delight of many.
Per her wishes, there will be a private graveside service for her interment. Memorial gifts in Josette’s name may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 East Broadway, Shelbyville, Indiana. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.