Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District families and staff received a message Wednesday afternoon from Superintendent Patrick Mapes, announcing that Opportunity Education (OE) has withdrawn its proposal to establish a charter high school in the district.  A community forum scheduled for November 21 has been cancelled.

In his message, Mapes quotes part of the withdrawal letter from OE:

“…we also understand that this may not be an optimal time for the community to undertake such an innovation effort, particularly one that challenges accepted assumptions about what schools can be, with a focus on putting student interests first. We deeply value the time and thoughtful consideration you have provided during the exploration of this opportunity, and we have been impressed by your district leadership’s vision and collaboration throughout this process.”

In his message, Mapes describes the OE withdrawal as a “missed opportunity,” but added this:

“…we remain committed to our top priority: engaging with our community and listening to its voice. Hamilton Southeastern Schools will continue to explore all possibilities to enhance educational opportunities for our students while emphasizing open and transparent communication with all stakeholders.”

You can read Mr. Mapes entire message below.

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Continue reading Opportunity Education withdraws the proposed HSE charter high school →

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Superintendent Patrick Mapes has told the school board he plans to provide an updated 10-year plan for facilities soon.  At the Facilities Committee meeting Wednesday morning, HSE Facilities Director Matt Rapp reviewed a $42 million plan for facilities throughout the district in 2025, per the current 10-year plan.

This is funded through bond issues.  The HSE Schools tax rate funding these bonds has remained steady over a number of years.

Some of the big ticket items on that list include:

–$4 million, $2 million for each high school, to be spent on turf next year on the Lacrosse/Soccer fields.  Rapp tells LarryInFishers much of that money goes to the underground infrastructure supporting the turf.

–$1.5 million at each high school for pool air handlers.  The pools were originally constructed for regular curriculum, but each system is strained when competitions are held.

–$1.5 million goes to the baseball asphalt drive at HSE High School.

–$1 million is set aside for roofing work on the north side of Fishers High School.

–District-wide, $1.25 million is planned for energy saving initiatives.

–School bus replacement and student technology replacement will cost $3 million each.

That is a partial list of the largest line-items the school board will be asked to enact for 2025.

In an update on specific building projects, Rapp told the committee everything is going “as planned and on time” with the Fishers Elementary School project.  Work planned for Fall Creek Intermediate, Durbin and Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate & Junior High are in the design phase.

Religious leaders in the Fishers community gathered Tuesday morning at City Hall to meet with Mayor Scott Fadness over breakfast.  It is something the mayor does about once a year.

When the mayor asked if the election was an issue in their respective congregations, a Catholic priest said in his church, there was less discussion of politics in this election cycle.  Another person saw fewer political signs in his own neighborhood.

Fadness said he thinks there is a certain amount of exhaustion among voters, arguing that a level of outrage can only last so long.

The mayor has been told many want the city to stop economic development, bringing people to Fishers outside Indiana and outside the nation.  Fadness says this will this not stop as the city develops, but it is creating challenges.

Mental health has been a top priority for Fadness ever since he took office in 2015.  His administration has been working to prevent social isolation.  He found youth sports as a way to bring families together.  The Community Center set to open next year may be another way to bring people together.  The Fishers Health Department is sponsoring a county-wide event aimed at those impacted by suicide.

Another issue raised at the meeting was how people are willing to speak their minds, but may not be good listeners when others are speaking.

Yet another issue raised was the latest trend of Wall Street buying single-family homes and converting them to rental properties, pricing many homeowners out of the market in a place like Fishers.  Fadness says he is putting together a legislative proposal to cap the number of rentals in a given area.

The mayor touted his program to keep older neighborhoods in good shape, through grants and replacing sidewalks,  He also has worked on making 96th Street a place businesses and residents want to be.

Whenever you visit a facility used as an indoor sports venue also hosting other events, the food offerings tend to largely be the same.  The Fishers Event Center invited the media and a few others to not only view the food offerings, but taste what the Center plans to offer.

i can say with no doubt that the samples provided Tuesday morning were a cut above any sports and events facility I have had in the past.  A tasty salad and a pizza both exceeded my expectations.  Some of my media friends sampled other offerings and the general consensus was positive.

“It’s going to be unique experience,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness about the Event Center.

The Fishers Event Center will have the ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning.  The first event is Friday night, featuring the country music act Turnpike Troubadours.

There have been two community forums about the proposed Opportunity Education charter high school online, and the only in-person forum planned has changed location.

The day and time remain the same – Thursday at 6pm.  Due to the registration demand, the forum has been moved from Launch Fishers to Fishers High School’s College and Career Academy (CCA) those attending the forum should enter using entrance 19.

Registration is not required but organizers of the forum as that if you plan to attend, please register at this link.

The Fishers City Council is going through the process of annexing an area of southeast Hamilton County, near the Hancock County town of McCordsville, into Fishers.  This would impact 2,000-4,000 residents.  Six people living in the area to be annexed voiced their strong opposition to the proposed annexation during a public hearing required by law as part of the annexation process held Monday.

One speaker said she was a fifth-generation resident of the area and is now on a fixed income.  She does not see how she can continue to afford living in the same home.  She also claims signing an agreement when the homes were purchased not to fight an annexation created a “stacked deck” for those homeowners about to be annexed by Fishers.  If there are benefits for her and other homeowners as a result of this annexation, she hasn’t seen one.

Another speaker claimed the annexation will not provide homeowners with anything they don’t already have.  Another said the annexation will add $1,200 per year to the family’s property taxes.

Several of those speaking reside in an area just east of Flat Fork Creek Park.

The Council is expected to take final action on the annexation at the December meeting.

In other news from Monday’s monthly Council session:

–The Union and the Crossing developments received allocation areas to clarify the boundaries of their Tax Increment Financing (TIF) map.

–A second amendment to the Andretti Headquarters project agreement was passed by the Council.

–A tax abatement was passed for DMC Insurance, clearing the way for $1.5 million in improvements to their Fishers building.

–A new fee schedule was established for the Fishers Health Department, allowing it to expand services provided.

–The city’s salary ordinance was amended, creating the position of Customer Support Manager.

–A rezone and voluntary annexation received final passage, clearing the way for a new day care center, Kid City, on Cyntheanne Road near Southeastern Parkway.

–A proposed housing development, Balmoral Village, received first reading approval.

–First reading was given to the Autumn Estates development on Southeastern Parkway near Cyntheanne Road.

–Five members of the Fishers Fire Department were recognized for 25 years of service.  They are, Brian Reeves, Stephen Feckete, Scott Booster, Scott Carr and Andrew Ebbert.

–A resident in the area of 116th Street and Allisonville Road complained during Community Comment about loud car and truck noises that are sometimes so loud her house shakes.  City officials say work is ongoing to enact a new noise ordinance, but it is unclear whether vehicle noise will be a part of that measure.

Kilwins in Fishers has officially opened its doors.  The shops is located along 116th Street, near the newly-opened Kura Revolving Sushi Bar and Torchy’s Tacos.

“We look forward to creating memories and serving our community with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere,” says JoAnna Brown, Manager of Kilwins Fishers, in a company news release. “We can’t wait for the customers to experience the store and enjoy our sweet
treats.”

Kilwins will be offering a special ice cream flavor in Fishers, Mudsock Mud.

Store hours are 12:00pm to 10:00pm daily.

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools revealed details Monday of an agreement reached Friday with the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) covering the teaching staff for the 2024-2025 school year.

According to the HSE Schools news release, the tentative agreement includes a base salary increase of $1,400 for returning teachers, recognition of advanced degrees for those that have obtained them since the last contract, and up to a $2,000 employer contribution towards a Health Savings Account for qualifying members.

The district is transitioning to a new High-Deductible Plan and corresponding Health Savings Account (HSA) to minimize the overall financial impact on both the district and its employees in health insurance premium rates.  The district will contribute between $1,000 – $2,000 to a Health Savings Account for members who elect this plan.  The traditional PPO health insurance plan premiums will increase 8.5% for teachers choosing that option.

HSE Schools say this financial package to district teachers is valued at over six (6) times the amount of new State revenue received.

HSEA said last week the district had proposed to eliminate the teacher salary schedule, but that provision of the contract was left intact in this agreement.

Teachers are being provided details of the agreement today (Monday) and a virtual ratification vote will take place by the teaching staff tomorrow (Tuesday).  The school board plans a public hearing on the tentative pact Thursday at 5pm and will likely vote to ratify next week, assuming teachers ratify the contract.

The full text of the tentative pact is available at this link.

There will be no shortage of news events this week around Fishers.

Friday, The Fishers Event Center will host its first event, a concert by the Turnpike Troubadours.  That morning, area media will be invited to see the completed product.

Monday, the Fishers City Council will have its regular monthly session with many items on the agenda.  There will be a public hearing on annexing an area of southeast Hamilton County into the City of Fishers.  This area is close to the Hancock County town of McCordsville.  The public hearing is part of the process to annex 2,000 to 4,000 additional residents into the city,

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools and Hamilton Southeastern Education Association jointly announced Friday that they have reached agreement on a new contract covering the district’s teaching staff.  Teachers will vote to ratify the new pact Tuesday.  If ratified, the school board will meet Thursday at 5pm to conduct a public hearing on the agreement.  The contract provisions will be revealed to the public at that session.  At 6pm, the district will conduct a community forum on a proposed charter high school at Launch Fishers.  You can register to attend the forum at this link.

The debate is heating up over that proposed charter school.  Opponents of establishing the charter will begin placing signs throughout the school district voicing opposition

And those are just the items we know now.  No way to forecast what else may come up in a busy and growing place like Fishers, Indiana.

The Indy Fuel wrapped up their weekend road trip with a tough 5-2 loss to the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday night at WesBanco Arena. Despite a strong second period that cut Wheeling’s early three-goal lead to one, the Fuel couldn’t complete the comeback.

1st Period: Nailers Strike Early and Often

The Nailers wasted no time taking control of the game. Kyle Jackson opened the scoring just over five minutes in, assisted by Matty De St. Phalle and Jack Beck. Six minutes later, David Jankowski doubled Wheeling’s lead with help from Jackson and De St. Phalle.

Tensions flared between the long-time rivals, but no penalties were assessed as players exchanged shoves and heated words. Atley Calvert’s tally at 16:30, following De St. Phalle’s third point of the night on an assist, made it 3-0 for the Nailers.

Although Indy outshot Wheeling 12-11 in the opening frame, they headed into the first intermission trailing by three.

2nd Period: Fuel Spark a Comeback Attempt

The Fuel found life early in the second period. At 2:38, Matus Spodniak found the back of the net with his first goal of the season from a sharp angle, assisted by Gagnier and Lombardi.

Just over six minutes later, Colin Bilek capitalized on a second chance opportunity to pull Indy within one at 8:53. Kyle Maksimovich and Jalen Luypen earned the assists on the play.

The period was punctuated by penalties and physical play, but neither team could capitalize on special teams. The Fuel continued to dominate the shot count, outshooting Wheeling 24-15 through two periods.

3rd Period: Wheeling Shuts the Door

The final frame saw both teams trade chances early, but the Nailers struck the decisive blow at 13:57 when Jackson scored his second goal of the night to put Wheeling up 4-2.

The Fuel pulled goaltender Strauss Mann in favor of an extra attacker late in the game, but Wheeling’s Lou-Felix Houde sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 17:30. Despite a late two-man advantage for Indy, the Nailers held on for the victory.

Key Takeaways

• Fuel’s Resilience: After a rough first period, Indy showed grit in the second, cutting the lead to one and controlling much of the play.
• Outshooting the Opponent: Indy held a 32-19 advantage in shots but struggled to solve Wheeling goaltender Taylor Gauthier.
• Standout Performances: Wheeling’s Matty De St. Phalle had a standout night with three assists, while Kyle Jackson added two goals and an assist.