Although I write about Fishers on this blog, I also am a tax professional.  As a result, I will be producing a regular Podcast about taxes.  I will provide links on my blog for those interested.  If you’r not, just go on the next item here.

After covering education at the local level for a number of years, one thing I have learned is just how important school principals are to the success of any individual school.  A very good principal normally translates into a hard-working, motivated teaching staff.

This news blog centers on Fishers news, but Amy Beverland Elementary in Lawrence is not very far from Fishers.

I cannot count the number of times I have watched a teacher or principal escort students to buses at the end of the school day.  Susan Jordan was doing just that when a bus lurched forward, killing Mrs. Jordan and injuring several young students.

We have been hearing people working for and with Susan Jordan sing her praises. This is clear evidence that she was one of the really, really good building principals.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of this tragedy, in an effort to see that it doesn’t happen again.  Let’s not get ahead of ourselves on what caused this to happen until those investigations are complete.

The saddest part is that Mrs. Jordan’s family has lost her, and her family at school, her staff at Amy Beverland Elementary, has lost a beloved leader.

Allow me to express my personal condolences to all those touched by the tragic death of Susan Jordan.

Our elected officials at the Indiana Statehouse need to remember they are talking about basic human rights when making decisions on the state’s civil rights laws.  Here’s my Indiana Forefront commentary   

The iTown Church at 126th Street and Cumberland Road is now in compliance with city zoning standards after the Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance for their parking situation.  The church was in compliance with the requirements for the number of parking spaces when it first opened, but with the growth of iTown in recent years, the parking spaces on the property are not enough to be in compliance.  The church has an agreement with nearby businesses to use their parking lots during Saturday and Sunday services.  The board voted unanimously to grant the variance.

In another matter before the board, the Geist Yacht Club on Fall Creek Road was granted a variance from building setback standards to complete a renovation now underway at their facility.

It has been a very lively last few days in Hamilton County Republican politics.  For those of you that may not have been following this, here’s what I know.

Pete Emigh said in November he would resign as party chairman after 8 years in that post. On November 30th of 2015, there were a number of vacancies in the ranks of Hamilton County Precinct Committee people and Vice-Committee people.  Emigh chose to appoint individuals to fill those vacancies.  It’s estimated Emigh appointed roughly 70 people to these open positions.

As Vice Chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party, Laura Campbell assumed the post of acting county chair until a caucus can be held to elect a new county party chairman.  Based on a letter (or e-mail) sent to the Indiana State Republican Party Chairman Jeff Cardwell by Campbell, the November 30th appointees were removed. Campbell argued she used her authority as acting party chairman.  In the letter, which began circulating over the Internet earlier this week, Campbell wrote Emigh was trying to “stack the deck” in favor of Fishers City Council President Pete Peterson.  Campbell and Peterson are the only candidates to succeed Emigh as county chair.  Campbell clearly viewed Emigh’s appointments as those likely to vote for Peterson in the caucus proceedings.

Among the precinct committeemen removed from an appointment were Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and his wife Aunna.  In a letter dated January 24th, Mayor Fadness asked that the state party reinstate the roughly 70 fired appointees, asserting that party rules are to freeze the caucus voters 30 days before an election.  Fadness also asked the state party to take control of the caucus voting process.

The state party has now reinstated the precinct officials fired by Campbell and will assume control of the caucus election to select a new Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Saturday morning.  The only candidates for the chairman job will be Campbell and Peterson.  The caucus voters will consist of precinct committeemen and vice precinct committeemen.  A majority of those eligible voters present at the caucus will be enough to win the chairmanship.

It is not unusual to see this type of turmoil when one party has so much control over a county’s political process.  Most of the political debates and strife happen within the party in power if the other party is rarely, if ever, even competitive electorally.

Laura Campbell clearly feels Pete Emigh stacked the deck in favoring Pete Peterson to assume the post of county chairman.  Pete Peterson insists he has no quarrel with anyone and just wants to contribute to the well-being of those living in Hamilton County.

The biggest loser in all this strife is Governor Mike Pence.  He is likely in for a tough re-election campaign.  If Hamilton County doesn’t turn out the Mike Pence voters in November, Pence will have a much tougher road to a re-election victory.

Wouldn’t it be ironic if internal arguments within the Hamilton County Republican Party helped elect Democrat John Gregg as governor?  How often would Governor John Gregg turn to Hamilton County Republicans for advice?

After a false start in July of 2015, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board has now acted on a recommendation from Superintendent Allen Bourff to conduct a tax referendum to be placed on the May 3rd primary election ballot.  The school board was ready to place the referendum on the November, 2015 election cycle, but chose to wait and allow school officials to conduct a months-long “listening tour” to gauge public views.

Now that the board had unanimously voted to move ahead with the vote, let’s take a look at what voters will be deciding less then 4 months from now.

TAX INCREASE

Based on data provided by school administrators, here’s what a homeowner would face in extra taxes if the referendum is voted-in:

–For a home valued at $100,000, expect an annual property tax hike for $41.76

–If your home is valued at $250,000, your estimated annual property tax increase would be $166.07

–For a home valued at $500,000, it is estimated you will see an increase of $373 in your yearly property tax bill.

In 2009, an operating expense referendum, like the one coming up on May 3rd, increased property tax bills by 10 cents per $100 of a assessed valuation.  The proposed referendum would keep that rate and add 12.75 cents, for a total referendum rate of 22.75 cents per $100 of property valuation.

HSE School Needs

Superintendent Bourff listed a number of needs that give rise to his argument that more tax funds are needed.  Here are some of them:

–CLASS SIZE….The size of classes has been rising in recent years as HSE Schools have dealt with budget shortfalls.  Dr. Bourff wants to reverse that trend in grades K-6.  His goal is to reduce the number of students by 2-3 in each classroom.  This would reverse a trend of rising classroom sizes.  If the referendum is approved, administrators would immediately get to work on hiring more staff to reduce the number of students in each classroom in grades K-6.  Dr. Bourff is willing to use those trailers, or mobile classrooms, as the school corporation looks at adding additional building space, in order to reduce the student-teacher ratios immediately.

–COMPETITIVE SALARIES….HSE is in the bottom third of the salary scale for suburban school districts in our area, both for beginning and the most experienced educators.  Dr. Bourff says approving the referendum will allow our school system to be more competitive in attracting and retaining good teachers.

–FEE RELIEF FOR PARENTS….When HSE was in a cost-cutting mode recently, a
“pay-to-play” structure was instituted requiring fees to be paid for student participation in athletics and other school programs.  If the referendum is approved, Dr. Bourff told the board those fees will be phased out and eliminated.

–WORLD CLASS LANGAUAGES….With competition around the world now commonplace, Dr, Bourff is proposing to use some of the referendum funds to institute more language programs.

Here are some other needs listed by Dr. Bourff…

–Additional Resources for Professional Development

–Additional Resources for Programming

–Administrative Support for Large Elementary Schools

–Upgrades to Building Technology Infrastructure and Computer Stations

What about the extra money approved in last year’s legislative session?

With the help of many local legislators, and a push from local elected officials such as Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, Indiana lawmakers did lower the gap HSE Schools has seen compared to the rest of the state, but even with that extra money, HSE is still behind most Indiana school districts.

With the added money from the General Assembly, the state provides $5,175.64 per HSE student in the current school year.  The state average is $5,877.49 per student, leaving a gap of over $700 per student for HSE.  If the referendum is approved by the voters in May, the combination of state funding and the added referendum money would increase per student spending to $5,926.36, placing HSE $48.87 above the state average in per-student financial support.

Referendum Wording

The exact language to appear on the May 3rd referendum ballot has not been officially approved by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, but here is what the school corporation is proposing (and expecting to get state approval)…

“For the seven (7) calendar years immediately following the holding of the referendum, shall the Hamilton Southeastern Schools impose a property tax rate that does not exceed twenty-two and three quarters cents ($0.2275) on each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation and that is in addition to all other property taxes imposed by the school corporation for the purpose of funding daily educational operations, academic and support programs, including the reduction in class sizes, and for any other educational needs of the school corporation?”

What happens next?

The campaign begins.  School staff received instructions from school attorney David Day about state law restrictions concerning campaigning on school grounds and using school property during work time advocating for the referendum.  A Political Action Committee (PAC) has been formed to advocate in favor of passing the tax referendum, named “Advance HSE.”  You can access their Web site at this link.

It is not known whether any organized groups plan to oppose the referendum.  If LarryInFishers sees any, we will let you know.

Bottom Line

HSE School Superintendent Dr. Allen Bourff made his case before the school board and the public on hand for the January 25th school board meeting.  The board unanimously approved the referendum as proposed by school administrators.  The next step is the campaign.  We will get our final answer on May 3rd when the votes are counted.  At LarryInFishers, we will be following the story up to (and including) election day when the votes are counted.

The Fishers Police Department prides itself on having accreditation from the Commission on Law Enforcement Agencies.  In order to maintain that accreditation, the department is required to periodically survey citizens in the community served by that police agency

Citizens of Fishers are being encouraged by local police officials to complete an online survey.  You can access the survey at this link.

“It is the goal of the Fishers Police Department to achieve and maintain the highest level of quality service for our residents and visitors” according to the police department news release.  “Input from the citizens of Fishers is essential in the Fishers Police Department’s continued effort to promote effective police services and protection to all members of the community.

The survey is designed to address questions about contacts between the public and Fishers law enforcement officers.  Citizens are also asked about their own perceptions of safety in their neighborhoods and commercial areas.

I have talked to a number of graduates from the Fishers City Government Academy, and every single one praises the program.  The goal is to give citizens of Fishers an idea of how their government works.

The academy is preparing to bring on a new crop of people this fall.  See the city news release below for details on how you can take part.

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The City of Fishers’ award-winning City Government Academy (CGA) returns this spring offering residents an exclusive, behind-the-scenes exploration of local government. Engagement is a resounding theme in Fishers, and there’s no better way for residents 18 and older to get connected to city officials while learning more about how local government operates. Most meetings take place on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., and locations vary.

The ten week course begins on Tuesday, Feb. 23 in the City Hall Auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m. with an introduction and orientation by Mayor Scott Fadness and Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath. During the course, participants will explore city facilities, tour the wastewater treatment plant, and even explore Fishers Fire Department’s Station 91. The City Government Academy curriculum also includes an HSE Schools night, an opportunity to gain perspective on the community’s school system. Participation is free for Fishers residents, but registration is required.

To learn more about CGA curriculum and meeting dates, please visit www.Fishers.in.us/CGA. Individuals interested in securing a spot are encouraged to register online. Special accommodations, such as ASL interpreters, can be made if needed. To arrange any necessary accommodations, please contact Dan Domsic at least two business days prior to the first meeting. Dan can be reached at domsicd@fishers.in.us or by phone at (317) 595-3151.