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Deaf School's New Board Looks To Quell Controversy - Indiana News Story - WRTV Indianapolis
New board members at the Indiana School for the Deaf told protesting parents Wednesday they have no intention of doing away with American Sign Language.
Controversy first erupted in May when Gov. Mitch Daniels appointed four new board members, three of whom were perceived to be affiliated with groups that prefer to teach deaf students English through listening and speaking, called oralism.
Scott Rigney, Mary Susan Buhner and Lucy Witte, along with Ann Reifel, who is deaf, were introduced for the first time Wednesday, drawing a large crowd, including some protesters, 6News' Myrt Price reported.
"It's discriminatory. It shows prejudice. We want to see this changed," said parent Tami Hossler, noting there is now only one deaf person on the six-person board. "We want to see a majority of deaf individuals serving on the board."
The school board battle revives a longstanding debate about assimilating deaf people into the hearing society.
Some believe deaf people should use sign language and attend special schools where they can be around other deaf children. Others think students are better off being mainstreamed with hearing children in traditional schools, especially since the advancement of cochlear implants that can improve hearing.
During Wednesday's meeting, board members urged parents to keep an open mind.
"We need to give all our new board members a chance. We need to help them to learn and to grow, and make them aware of key issues that are important to us," said board chairman Scott P. Jensen.
School leaders told parents their goal is to educate students in whatever way works best for each individual.
"We have a bilingual philosophy," said Superintendent David Geeslin. "That mission isn't disappearing."
New board members at the Indiana School for the Deaf told protesting parents Wednesday they have no intention of doing away with American Sign Language.
Controversy first erupted in May when Gov. Mitch Daniels appointed four new board members, three of whom were perceived to be affiliated with groups that prefer to teach deaf students English through listening and speaking, called oralism.
Scott Rigney, Mary Susan Buhner and Lucy Witte, along with Ann Reifel, who is deaf, were introduced for the first time Wednesday, drawing a large crowd, including some protesters, 6News' Myrt Price reported.
"It's discriminatory. It shows prejudice. We want to see this changed," said parent Tami Hossler, noting there is now only one deaf person on the six-person board. "We want to see a majority of deaf individuals serving on the board."
The school board battle revives a longstanding debate about assimilating deaf people into the hearing society.
Some believe deaf people should use sign language and attend special schools where they can be around other deaf children. Others think students are better off being mainstreamed with hearing children in traditional schools, especially since the advancement of cochlear implants that can improve hearing.
During Wednesday's meeting, board members urged parents to keep an open mind.
"We need to give all our new board members a chance. We need to help them to learn and to grow, and make them aware of key issues that are important to us," said board chairman Scott P. Jensen.
School leaders told parents their goal is to educate students in whatever way works best for each individual.
"We have a bilingual philosophy," said Superintendent David Geeslin. "That mission isn't disappearing."