The Fishers City Council recognized several local organizations at the Wednesday night session.  Below are some of those groups.

My March mini-podcast series continues in recognition of Disability Awareness Month.  Here is the 16th Episode in that series.

What began as a fairly dry, routine item on the school board agenda became a heated discussion that included charges of data manipulation and discrepancies, and strong denials from the school superintendent.

Matt Lange of KSM Consulting presented a report to the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board Wednesday night about how data is stored, retrieved and disseminated, with the goal of providing school principals and teachers real-time data to respond when subgroups of students are not performing well.

On page 7 of the KSM report (found at this link),  Board member Michelle Fullhart objected to two sentences in the report:

“In the past, the School Board has noted discrepancies between reports provided by Central Office and reports provided by the State of Indiana. They have a concern that some data may have been manipulated by the Central Office, and they would like a higher level of transparency and accountability in their relationship with the Central Office.”

Lange responded that Board Member Mike Bottorff wanted the language included.  Amanda Shera and Bottorff were the two board representatives in the “discovery sessions” held by KSM.

“There’s an understanding, belief that some of the information that the school board is getting is couched in a certain way, before it gets to the school board,” Lange told the board.  “As a result, the school board is going around to the state of Indiana, through some relationships there, to access some of that data.”

Fullhart argued the language in the report should not reflect the entire board, since only two board members were involved in this process.  “It kind of sounds like there’s some fraud happening in our district the way this is working and I do not believe that,” said Fullhart.

Bottorff was out of town and did not attend the Wednesday board meeting.

Board President Matt Burke said “Manipulation is a pretty strong word.” He added that he wants good data as a board member, but it’s much more important that good and timely data be in the hands of school principals and teachers.

“I know that is strong wording, but from my conversations with Mike (Bottorff), I actually thought that this deserves some strong wording,” Lange told the board.  “And, it is around the example that you were talking about, with some of the demographic groups in terms of reporting for some standardized tests.  From the conversation I had with Mike, he did feel what I have written.  I fully understand where all of you are coming from – I’ve lumped you together.  I am more than happy to change how I referred to the school board, but that is how (Mike) thought and that is how I took it.”

“I know the report (Mike Bottorff)) is talking about and the report was correct,” said HSE superintendent Allen Bourff.  “It wasn’t manipulated but it changed.  Many times if you go to the state report, it will not be what we’ve reported because we’ve reported based on the first numbers that come through or based on state numbers as opposed to federal numbers or vice-versa.  So, it’s not uncommon for some of those numbers to be changed as they come through and they might appear to be manipulated, but they are actually some of the latest we have or the best we can do.”

Amanda Shera, who was the other HSE Board member participating in putting this report together, maintains there was manipulation of data.  “The numbers were put in wrong in the report that (the school board) had and some things were updated if they were favorable and some things were not,” said Shera.

“That’s not the way I remember it,” responded Bourff. “And there was no attempt to make anything look different.”  Bourff also cited changes in the formula and metrics used by the Indiana State Board of Education.

The board took no action on the report Wednesday night, but Bourff told the board he will have an administration recommendation at the next regular board meeting.

Adam Aasen is away this week, but our weekly podcast Hamilton County Goes To the Movies continues our every-Saturday schedule of new episodes.  This week, Dan Domsic joins Larry to review the Netflix 8-part documentary series “Flint Town.”  Our guests this week are those at 12 Stars Media in Fishers involved in producing a new feature-length documentary film “Finding Hygge.”

Hamilton County Reporter

HAND Inc. has been awarded a $7,500 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to update the Hamilton County Housing Needs Assessment, a data-driven analysis of the state of housing in the county.

Last completed in 2013, the report is required of communities that receive federal Community Development Block Grant funding in order to determine local needs. The Legacy Fund and Noblesville Housing Authority also are financially supporting the twice-a-decade update.

This spring, HAND will solicit proposals from consultants interested in completing the comprehensive report, which will evaluate broad indicators of community well-being in addition to quantifying housing demand, supply and affordability.

“Adequate and affordable housing is so important to maintaining and improving the quality of life for any community,” said Mark LaBarr, Duke Energy community relations manager for Hamilton County. “We’re pleased to support this updated housing assessment that will help make Hamilton County an even more welcoming community for current and new residents.”

Results of the 2018 assessment are expected to be released at HAND’s annual housing conference, scheduled for Sept. 21. The findings will inform HAND’s community-development activities, and other local not-for-profits also use the data to ensure they are addressing community needs.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

(NOTE: This is a commentary written by Fred Swift of the Hamilton County Reporter. The views expressed are those of Fred Swift and do not necessarily reflect the views of LarryInFishers.com.  This opinion piece is posted here as part of a partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com) 

Health, safety and welfare of our citizens are major reasons for having a state government with virtually unlimited power to address these basic needs. Still, our state legislature adjourned this week in the wake of another horrible school shooting without passing legislation that would have provided increased measures for safety in our public schools.

What in the world could be the reason for not addressing this recent crisis potentially facing school kids throughout the state and nation? They say legislators could not agree on the method of funding to better school safety. That is crazy in a state with a greater financial surplus than almost any state in the union.

The legislature met from Jan. 2 until March 14 and had time to consider legislation on such foolish subjects as naming a state insect and governing eyeball tattoos, yet in the final hours of the legislative session could not successfully reach agreement on school safety.

Thank goodness we have not had a major school shooting incident in Indiana, but as seen recently, such a tragedy could happen anywhere at any time.

We can be certain that not one member of the legislature wants to see killings in school or anywhere else, yet with all the time since the first of the year they could not work out the details of funding.

It is a lack of attention to serious matters, it is a lack of good leadership and it is shameful.

After Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness wound down from his State of the City address Wednesday, he sat down for a podcast interview with me the same afternoon to expound on some of the issues raised in his speech.  He also commented on some other items, particularly economic development.

“Over the next 60-90 days, we will be announcing  nearly $150 million of new economic development projects coming to the city of Fishers….that will include hundreds of new jobs,” Mayor Fadness said.   “Although we did not talk about those projects (Wednesday) at the State of the City,  I think the next 2-3 months could be a very exciting  time in our community.”

Here are some other comments from the mayor that made some news:

–Long-time Fishers HR Director Cici Conover will be retiring.  The mayor described Cici as “the moral compass of this organization.”  He said she will be missed.

–The mayor hopes the city is 2-3 weeks away from closing the deal on purchasing land for the Geist waterfront park.  Once the land deal is done, Fadness says he will take his time and engage the neighborhood in order to craft a park design good for the city and those living near the park.   He says the 70-acres of land and how the city plans to use it will require looking ahead 50 years.   The opportunity to acquire that land for the park would have been lost if the city had not acted immediately, according to the mayor.  As to the condition of Geist Lake, a study was done a few years ago and found the reservoir will not get significantly worse in water quality, but it’s also not going to get significantly better.  “It’s hit a bit of a plateau,” the mayor said.   He argues centralized management is needed for the lake.

–On plans for Kroger to expand and move its store at 116th Street and Allisonville Road, Fadness says the city continues to be in conversation with representatives from Kroger.  “We still do not have a firm timeline for when (Kroger) would start building that new Kroger building” the mayor told me. “We continue to check- up with them on it.  I think they still have an intent to build there.”

You can listen to my entire podcast interview with Mayor Fadness at this link.

Fishers has been known as a place for young families, but with a growing population of Senior Citizens (full disclosure, I am one), the city is also working on enhancing amenities for seniors.

AARP presented the city with a designation as a new member of the oranization’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities.  This certification was earned through the city’s efforts in the areas of land use, housing, transportation, and parks.

Some of the specific city projects cited include:

–The Pickeball courts at Cyntheanne Park

–The WeCare program from Fishers Fire & Emergency Services. WeCare uses firehouse staff to ensure patients recently discharged from hospitals safely transition back home

–A morning call network and vacation watch program, both overseen by Fishers Police Department

–Fishers’ work to shed light on ADA-compliant policy through its Advisory Council on Disability.

“As part of the municipality’s first-ever comprehensive plan, Fishers 2040, we have identified four areas that are critical to the health and well-being of our community of residents that are 50 and older,” Mayor Scott Fadness said in a city news release. “The City of Fishers is excited to build on this opportunity and will continue to make our community a smart, vibrant, and entrepreneurial place that is friendly to people of all ages, particularly for those 50 and older.”

“AARP Indiana is working to make our communities throughout the state more livable for older Hoosiers and their families,” said Sarah Waddle, AARP Indiana State Director. “We are excited about Fishers becoming the first city in our state to join AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities and we’re looking forward to other communities following Fishers’ lead.”

The Geist half-marathon will now be a part of the Spark!Fishers Festival and will be held during the morning of Saturday, June 30th.  The City of Fishers and the local YMCA will be collaborating to make this race possible.

“We have been working with the Fishers YMCA for years to further our mission of promoting health and wellness in Geist area schools,” said Geist Half Marathon President Mike Napariu in a city news realease. “This collaborative event gives us an opportunity to further our partnership with the Fishers YMCA and work more closely year-round.”

Detailed logistics are still in the works, but the start/finish line will be located in the Nickel Plate District.  The race will mark a full Saturday of activities tied to the Spark!Fishers festival.

“Collaboration between the Geist Half Marathon and Fishers YMCA truly exemplifies the essence of Spark!Fishers,” according to Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, event co-chair. “The 5K will offer opportunities for friends and families to run alongside each other while making meaningful memories in our community.”

For the past eleven years, the Geist Half Marathon has hosted a 13.1 mile, 10K and 5K race on the third Saturday of May. Likewise, the Fishers YMCA has hosted a Wishbone 5K race on Thanksgiving morning for the past nine years. Both organizations will benefit from the proceeds of the Spark!Fishers 5K race to fund their annual children’s health and wellness programming in Fishers.

“It’s a perfect partnership for us,” said Fishers YMCA Executive Director Jake Reardon-McSoley. “This event lands right in the middle of summer when we are hosting hundreds of children from Fishers at our various camps. Summer is also our biggest time of financial need, so hosting this 5K event will really give us a shot in the arm to help us serve the community all year.”

Registration is now open for the inaugural Spark!Fishers 5K. Cost is $35 for adults and $25 for youth 12 and under. Registration includes a short-sleeved tech shirt, post-race food and drinks, and a finishers medal. To register, use this link.