Note: This story has been updated

Bartholomew Consolidated Schools have chosen their next superintendent, Dr. Chad Phillips.

Phillips appointment will be pending a public hearing and board approval later this month.

Current Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts is stepping down at the end of June to take on a new role with the Community Education Coalition.

Phillips has been serving as the school district’s assistant superintendent of financial services for the past 7 years and has been with the school district for 20 years. Previously he has served BCSC in roles ranging from principal of CSA Lincoln Elementary to assistant principal at Central Middle School and Social Studies Department Chair at Columbus North High School.

He is a graduate of both Indiana University and Purdue University. He also served in the U.S. Marines Corps and worked in Lebanon as a teacher.

Phillips is married to Nichole, she is the Assistant Chief Probation Officer for Juvenile Services in Bartholomew County. They have four children.

The school board will hold a public meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday to hear public comments on the proposed contract with Phillips. That meeting will be at the administration offices at Central Avenue. The school board is scheduled to consider a vote on the appointment at the board meeting on April 29th at 6:30 p.m. at Columbus North High School.

Original BCSC Press release below

(April 9, 2024, Columbus, Indiana) After careful consideration and a thorough interview process, the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation’s (BCSC) School Board of Trustees are pleased to name Dr. Chad Phillips as their selection for BCSC’s new superintendent starting July 1, pending a public hearing on April 15 and board approval on April 29.

In mid-January, current BCSC Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts announced that he would be retiring from his position at the end of June to pursue a new opportunity as Vice President of the Community Education Coalition here in Columbus, Indiana.

After receiving the news from Roberts, the Board of Trustees opened its search for a new superintendent and worked with the University Search Team, a superintendent search group that assists public school districts in finding new leadership. Throughout the process, the Board of Trustees used valuable input from a wide audience to guide their work. This included a community stakeholder survey sent to families, staff members, and community members throughout Bartholomew County. The Board also invited administrators and Columbus Educators Association (CEA) representatives to be a part of the process of selecting the best candidate for BCSC.

“CEA appreciates being able to give input to the BCSC School Board regarding their decision process for choosing the next BCSC Superintendent. We received valuable feedback from our members and were able to ask candidates questions based on that feedback. CEA looks forward to collaborating with Dr. Phillips,” CEA President Amy London said.

After collecting input from the community and interviewing qualified candidates, the Board came to an agreement that proposing the current Assistant Superintendent of Financial Services was the right next step in their search for a new Superintendent.

“The Board completed a thorough and collaborative process in the search for its next superintendent. We started by canvassing the community and teachers understanding the needs of the school system in its readiness to deliver a next-level education experience. During the process, teachers, administrators, and Board members thoughtfully reviewed the candidates and have chosen Dr. Chad Phillips. He is a leader within BCSC and this community is ready to deliver upon BCSC’s vision of being THE choice of education in Bartholomew County” BCSC School Board member Logan Schulz said.

Dr. Chad Phillips is completing his 20th year in BCSC, serving the past seven years as the Assistant Superintendent for Finance. Dr. Phillips manages BCSC’s $150M annual budget that includes operating referendum funds used to improve staff retention and student safety and security. He has been key to the creation of a district-wide facility renovation plan that includes construction of a new elementary school, all without increasing the property tax rate.

“Dr. Phillips is a very thoughtful man and he considers everyone’s input and needs. Our kids will see incredible benefits because he is committed to all of the youth work in our community. I’m very glad to know we’ll be able to continue the close partnership we have with the BCSC team,” Foundation for Youth Director Chuck Kime said.

Before moving to the administration building, Dr. Phillips spent six years as principal of CSA Lincoln Elementary, where the school went from an “F” performance grade in 2010 to consecutive “A’s” in 2014 and 2015. Phillips has also served as an assistant principal at Central Middle School and Social Studies Department Chair at Columbus North High School.

“Our BCSC School Board has once again chosen leadership who believes in the vision of the community to be the best place to learn and grow. Since Dr. Phillips has been an integral part of present and future BCSC endeavors, the transition should prove to be seamless. I feel confident knowing that the board has made the decision to hire a knowledgeable leader to further our advancement in making BCSC the best choice,” Central Middle School teacher and 2024 Edna V. Folger Outstanding Teacher recipient Mindy Summers said.

A graduate of both Purdue University and Indiana University, Dr. Phillips is married to Nichole, who is the Assistant Chief Probation Officer for Juvenile Services in Bartholomew County. They have four children, Emmy Frederick, Mason and Collin Phillips (all proud BCSC graduates), and Ethan Hall (junior at Columbus East High School). Prior to his contributions at BCSC, Dr. Phillips taught social studies at Lebanon Senior High School, managed overnight shifts at the Kirby Risk Service Center in Lafayette, and served in the United States Marine Corps.

“Having had the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Phillips, I have witnessed firsthand his dedication and commitment as a parent, friend and educator. I know he will serve all of BCSC with his knowledge, skills and passion. In this role, I know he will help lead, guide and positively impact, not only the BCSC community, but the Columbus community and beyond,” former BCSF Executive Director and CSA Lincoln parent Suzi Bruin said.

The Board of School Trustees of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation will hold a public meeting on April 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the Terrace Room at the Administration Building, 1200 Central Avenue, Columbus, Indiana, to discuss and hear public comments including objections to and support for the proposed contract between the Board and the candidate for superintendent. The Board will vote on the appointment of the new Superintendent at the regular meeting on April 29, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at Columbus North High School.

A woman was shot and killed by North Vernon police Tuesday evening after threatening officers with a knife.

According to Indiana State Police, Jennings County deputies and North Vernon police were called to a disturbance on Thomas Street at about 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. They found 23-year-old Rachel Blake in the home’s bathroom wielding the knife. Police say that they told her repeatedly to drop the weapon and tried to subdue her with Tasers but when she continued to advance toward the two North Vernon officers, they both fired their weapons, striking her at least once.

The officers provided first aid and medics at the scene provided advanced medical treatment, but she was pronounced dead by the Jennings County Coroner’s office.

Both police agencies requested an investigation by Indiana State Police. The results of the investigation will be turned over to the Jennings County Prosecutor’s office for review.

All of the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.

A Columbus resident attending an eclipse event at a neighbor’s home, ended up holding a man who was breaking into his home until police could arrive.

According to the Columbus Police Department, the resident noticed on security cameras that a man was breaking into his nearby home through the front door. That was in the 3500 block of Woodside Drive at about 3:40 p.m. Monday afternoon. The suspect then left the home, where he was confronted and restrained by the homeowner. No one else was in the home at the time.

Police arrived to find the homeowner holding down 58-year-old Thomas E. Hooker of Columbus. Hooker was detained by police and a breath test showed his blood alcohol level was .265 percent, more than three times the legal limit. He was taken to the hospital for a blood test and then arrested on preliminary charges of residential entry and driving a vehicle while intoxicated.

A fire at a home on Spring Valley Drive Monday afternoon caused more than $45,000 in damages.

According to Columbus Fire Department, rescue workers were called to the home in the Northbrook Addition at about 4:15 p.m. Monday afternoon. Police were first on the scene and found smoke coming from the two-story home. Residents had already escaped with their pets.

Firefighters entered the home where they found light smoke on the first floor, and a fire with heavier smoke in an upstairs bedroom. Crews put out the fire using water fire extinguishers. A smoldering mattress and bedside table were taken outside to make sure the fire was out. Firefighters also cooled several hot spots in the bedroom, including a spot on the floor where the fire had burned through.

The fire was confined to the bedroom area. The fire caused smoke damage throughout the home.

A cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, but firefighters say that there were several electronics charging on the nightstand and the fire then spread to the nightstand and bed.

No one was injured.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department

Bartholomew County property tax bills should be hitting your mailbox soon.

According to county Treasurer Barb Hackman, the tax bills are scheduled to be mailed on Friday, and will include details on the installments due on May 10th and on November 12th.

Hackman has pointed out that most residents with mortgages have their property taxes paid through an escrow account automatically. Even if that is the case, you will still receive a bill with the current amount and comparison of last year’s tax bill, but it will be watermarked as being “For Informational Purposes Only.”

If you need to make a payment, you have several options including through the mail to the treasurer’s office, in person at the Governmental Office Building on Third Street, at one of the two drop boxes located at the office building, at local banks including Centra Credit Union, First Financial Bank, JC Bank, Horizon Bank and German American. You can also pay by phone by calling 844-278-9126 or you can pay online here: https://bartholomew.in.gov/treasurer.html#view-pay-taxes-online

Due to Monday’s total solar eclipse, Columbus trash and recycling routes will be running a day behind all week with normal Monday routes running today. Normal Friday routes will be picked up on Saturday.

Legal Aid is holding a Free Legal Aid Phone Clinic today.

Legal Aid offers the clinics for low-income residents of its eight-county district.

If you take part you will have a brief consultation with a volunteer attorney to answer general questions, to offer legal information or to receive other advice over the phone. The clinic will be from from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

To take part, you must first register between noon and 2 p.m. by calling 812-378-0358.

INDOT says that traffic on State Road 11 will be restricted between Jonesville and Seymour starting today due to bridge work.

According to the agency, crews will be rehabilitating a bridge in Jackson County over East Fork White River overflow, about two miles north of Seymour and just north of the blue bridge. You can expect temporary traffic signals to be in place while the work is going on.

The work is scheduled to wrap up in July, but the work schedule is dependent on the weather.

After the project is done, contractor crews will begin work on another bridge on State Road 11 in Jackson County.

This is part of a $6.9 million contract awarded to Milestone Contractors that includes three district bridge projects and one guardrail project.

INDOT urges you to slow down, to drive without distractions, to use extra caution and to be alert to worker safety in all work zones.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is warning about a scam in our area, where a scammer is pretending to be a sheriff’s deputy to get you to give up information or to swindle money.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, someone is claiming to be Capt. Chris Roberts who heads up the criminal investigations division.

Scammers frequently impersonate law enforcement officials over the phone. They try to get you to give up your personal information or make payments to them to supposedly satisfy fake warrants or other schemes. Scammers are able to spoof your Caller ID so that the number appears to be legitimate.

Authorities warn you not to give out your personal or financial information to a caller. Law enforcement officers will never ask for you to make a payment over the phone to avoid arrest.

If you have any questions you should hang up and call your local authorities directly at an official number you can find online or in a phone book.

The Bartholomew County Republican ladies League is planning a candidate forum this week for those running in the primary election.

The forum will be moderated by White River Broadcasting’s own John Foster. Foster will be asking questions of the candidates in contested primary races. Candidates in non-contested races will have 1 minute to introduce themselves at the beginning of the forum.

Candidates in the Bartholomew County Commissioner District 1 and County Council At-Large races have been asked to participate.

The forum will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Red Room at the Bartholomew County Public Library. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and you are invited to attend.