Logan Day, candidate for Mayor of Fishers in the May 7th Republican primary election, has released a video about Wednesday’s Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board votes on the district’s nondiscrimination policy.  Day generally comments on the controversy and discrimination, but does not appear to take a position on what wording school officials should use in the policy language.

You can view Day’s four-and-a-half minute statement, posted on Facebook, at this link.

Incumbent Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, who is seeking re-election to another term, issued a statement Friday saying, in part, urges school board members to  “enumerate those most vulnerable in their anti-discrimination policy.”

State Senator Jim Merritt, whose district contains a large part of the HSE School District, released a statement endorsing board member Julie Chambers’ suggested nondiscrimination language.  Merritt is also a candidate for Mayor of Indianapolis.

For more background on Wednesday’s board meeting, use this link,

The board has scheduled a final vote on the nondiscrimination policy for the May 8th, meeting, 7pm, at the school administration building on Cumberland Road,

Fishers has been my home for 28 years, and during that time I witnessed fights over a number of contentious local issues.  The battle over the annexation of neighborhoods at Geist, the referendum that resulted in Fishers moving from a town to a city, the first mayoral election in 2014 with six candidates, and the school redistricting decisions – all resulted in controversy and debate among local residents.  There are many others, but those come to mind immediately.  

I have written on this blog many times about the local Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board.  For some reason, this board, even with some members moving in and out after election cycles, has had a propensity for making decisions that create damaging publicity for Fishers.  (It should be noted that the HSE School District encompasses more than the City of Fishers, it also includes parts of Fall Creek and Delaware Townships not included in the city limits and all of neighboring Wayne Township) 

What I witnessed at Wednesday night’s HSE board meeting left me with a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Both the behavior of some board members and the behavior of some in the audience reminded me of other communities where I have lived, or covered as a reporter.  I have seen social issues such as the one now before the HSE School Board tear communities apart.  Once that happens, recovery can take a very long time, if the community recovers at all.    

The school board has been wrestling with language in the school district’s nondiscrimination policy since September of 2015.  At that time, the board had the following policy language before it: 

“Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation…does not discriminate on the basis of a protected class including but not limited to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability or sex (including sexual stereotype nonconformity), in the programs or activities which it operates or the employment therein or admission thereto. The School strictly adheres to all non-discrimination and anti-harassment laws and does not tolerate any such acts.”   

Two HSE staff members spoke at that meeting, arguing that the proposed language was not strong enough.  The board debated and sent the issue to the school district’s policy committee.  It sat right there for years.  This year, the policy issue returned and was once again sent back to the committee. 

Finally, after much back and forth, the board had a proposal for nondiscrimination policy language.  There were ten members of the public that spoke at last Wednesday’s board meeting, all but one favoring an amended version of the policy offered by School Board Member Julie Chambers that said the following: 

“The school corporation does not discriminate in its educational or employment activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including transgender status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression), disability, age, religion, military status, ancestry or genetic information, nor on any basis prohibited by applicable federal or state laws.”  

Chambers’ motion was rejected on a 4-3 vote.  After one amendment to the original proposal, the board voted 4-3 to approve the following nondiscrimination policy language: 

“The school corporation will not discriminate in its educational and employment activities on any basis prohibited by applicable federal or state laws.” 

Many supporters of Chambers’ proposal point out that all school corporations are required to follow state and federal law anyway, so enacting this language really doesn’t make any statement from the board about nondiscrimination. 

I have some very specific views on all this, but I choose not to articulate my opinions at this time, for the following reason…..we all need to undergo a simple exercise before the next HSE School Board meeting May 8th, when the policy will undergo a second and final vote.  Everyone should seriously ponder the meaning of a very important word. 

Listen. 

That’s right, listen.  This is a talent that seems like a lost art in this day and age when so many of us are anxious to express our views but do not take the time and effort to genuinely listen to those with another point of view.  It is an exercise worth trying. 

After watching a video recording by Frank Whelan, I believe there is some hope for this concept.  Frank recorded, on his cell phone, the meeting held Saturday morning by HSEqual, a group organized to advocate for Julie Chambers’ nondiscrimination proposal. 

After watching that group deliberate, I have hope that a listening process will begin.  Board members have the same obligation to listen.   

I believe people of good will can come together, listen to each other, and provide a decision that is best for our local school community. 

My twin daughters are now 25 years of age, educated K-12 in HSE Schools, are college graduates, now married and contributing to their own communities.  I have a stake in HSE Schools continuing its reputation as a top-tier school corporation, as a long-time member of this community. 

That will not happen if we choose to tear ourselves apart over the nondiscrimination policy.  

Let’s respectfully talk, then listen, and make the correct decision for our community.  If we don’t get this right, everyone in our community will suffer.   

Hamilton County Reporter

The 38th annual Hamilton County Law Enforcement Memorial Service honoring fallen police officers will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1. The event will take place at the gazebo on the lawn of Carmel City Hall, 1 Civic Square, Carmel.

The Hamilton County Police Memorial Service will honor all of the Hamilton County fallen heroes of law enforcement. Members of the Carmel, Fishers, Westfield and Noblesville police departments, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police will participate in the ceremony.

Local elementary school choirs will also perform during this special event. Carmel Fire Department Pipes and Drums will participate in the service as well.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Jamie Bradway, widow of Rod Bradway, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department E.O.W. Sept. 20, 2013.

Please bring your friends and families and join with local dignitaries as we pay homage to our fallen brethren.

If inclement weather occurs, the event will be moved to the bays of the Carmel Fire Department Station No. 41, 2 Civic Square, Carmel.

State Senator Jim Merritt issued a statement Saturday about the decision of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board to not list protected classes in its nondiscrimination policy.  Below is the text of Senator Merritt’s statement:

“I am fully in support of Board Member Chambers’ amendment to the HSE discrimination policy. As I have noted before, the new state bias crime bill would have been even stronger if it had specified key at-risk groups and I plan to fight for those designations in the future. HSE has the opportunity now to protect vulnerable members of the community and should act in a forward-thinking, positive and inclusive manner.”

Part of Senator Merritt’s Senate District includes part of the HSE School District.

The weather continues to warm and road construction will be on the upswing, during the work week starting Monday, April 29th, in and around Fishers.

Here is the latest listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:

===================

106TH STREET
There will be lane restrictions on 106th Street from Eller Road to Lantern Road starting Monday, April 29 through Wednesday, May 1, weather permitting, to complete pavement striping.  Flaggers will be in the area to help direct traffic.

136th Street
The Hamilton County Surveyor’s Office will be closing 136th Street east of Cyntheanne Road starting on April 30 for 5 days in order to replace a culvert under the roadway.  Questions can be directed to their office at 317-776-8495.

116TH STREET
There will be a temporary lane restriction on eastbound 116th Street between Municipal Drive and Commercial Drive through Friday, May 10. The restriction will be in effect between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm. daily.

MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The northwest side of Municipal Drive will be closed for storm sewer work for the new Flexware Innovation and Fishers Ellipse, LLC. buildings. The closure will take place on the north side of Municipal Drive from the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater west to the Fire Station parking lot. Motorists will still be able to access Municipal Drive from Lantern Road. The closure is expected to last for 2 weeks.

136TH STREET & CYNTHEANNE ROAD
Temporary lane restrictions are in effect between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. near and at the intersection of 136th Street and Cyntheanne Road. Restrictions are due to utility work for roundabout construction.

For more information on this project, view the Fact Sheet.

ALLISONVILLE ROAD 
126th Street at Allisonville Road closed on Monday, April 22 for approximately 30 days. Detour routes are down 131st Street and 116th Street to Lantern Road. Homes along 126th Street can be accessed from Lantern Road. Allisonville Road remains open.

Southbound and northbound traffic on Allisonville Road has moved onto the newly constructed pavement as part of Phase 3 of the project. This will be the traffic configuration moving into the spring of 2019. The posted speed limit will remain 30 mph.

For more information on this project, view the Fact Sheet.

126TH STREET
Work has begun on intersection improvements for 126th Street and Parkside Drive. View the Fact Sheet to learn more about this project.

Periodic lane restrictions are in effect on westbound 126th Street between Olio Road and Pennington Road. Restrictions are active from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will extend through the month of April.

96TH STREET
Utility relocation is beginning on 96th Street as part of the road widening project, resulting in periodic lane restrictions over the coming months. For more information about the 96th Street road widening project, view the Fact Sheet.

STATE ROAD 37
Drainage work for SR37 is in progress. Construction vehicles will be using the construction entrance on Lantern Road, between 126th Street and 131st Street, and may cause some short delays.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has weighed-in on the Hamilton Southeastern School Board’s 4-3 vote Wednesday, with board members acting not to list protected groups of students and employees in the district’s nondiscrimination policy.  The mayor, in a statement released Friday, urged school board members to “enumerate those most vulnerable in their anti-discrimination policy.”

Fadness cites Dr. Martin Luther King:

“The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”

The mayor concedes that there is a division of authority in Indiana law between city government and school governance, but, “I cannot abdicate my role as a community leader.”

“We should not discount the effect of finally saying in an affirmative voice that we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you as one community,” Fadness said in his statement.  “For those currently in power, it may be difficult to discern the value of these actions, but we have not walked in others’ shoes.”

The board must pass the nondiscrimination policy on second reading at the May 8th meeting for the proposal to become official school policy.

Below is the full statement issued by Mayor Fadness:

“Although I recognize and respect the division of authority between our school system and city government, I cannot abdicate my role as a community leader. Our community continues to be viewed and recognized as one of the best cities in the nation to live and raise a family. Those accolades ring hollow if we are not willing to support those among us who are most vulnerable. We should not discount the effect of finally saying in an affirmative voice that we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you as one community. For those currently in power, it may be difficult to discern the value of these actions, but we have not walked in others’ shoes. We have not experienced the pain and struggles of those who have felt marginalized by our society. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ‘The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.’ It is my hope and ask that the HSE School Board will enumerate those most vulnerable in their anti-discrimination policy and bring us one small step closer to a more complete community.”

Late June will be here before you know it, and the Spark Fishers Festival will be underway before you know it.  The 2019 festival is issuing a call for volunteers.

This year’s celebration will be Friday, June 28th & Saturday, June 29th.  There are plenty of opportunities for you to volunteer.

The list of needs is long, from stage hands to ice delivery drivers, and parade banner holders and vendor support leaders.  Age and expertise is not as important as a desire to help support a local community event.

Volunteering for the Spark Fishers Festival is easy, just use this link.

It appears that Fishers did not get the legislative language local officials were seeking in what the mayor has called “abnormalities” in the distribution of County Option Income Tax (COIT) distributions in Hamilton County.  Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness told the City Council Finance Committee April 15th that Carmel receives $21 million more in COIT distributions compared to Fishers annually, despite the two cities being similar in population.

State Representative Todd Huston tells LarryInFishers that a bill in the General Assembly aimed at equalizing that disparity over several years did not survive the 2019 legislative House-Senate conference committee, due to the impact the measure would have on other parts of Indiana.

“I am extremely disappointed we couldn’t come to consensus on legislation to fix the tremendous discrepancy of the County Option Income Tax distribution in Hamilton County during this session of the General Assembly,” said Huston in a statement to LarrInFishers.  “I will continue to work diligently to fix this inequity when we meet again next year.”

Huston backed a bill that passed the House aimed at dealing with the widening gap between Fishers and Carmel in distributing COIT funds, but the Senate came up with much different language.  Fadness described the Senate bill as “not an ideal scenario for us (the City of Fishers).”

Fadness has said that if state lawmakers do not change this distribution formula, the disparity will widen over time.  The current $21 million difference would fund the entire Fishers Fire Department and a good part of the police force, according to Fadness.

“We’re extremely disappointed that the legislature did not move toward a more equitable and fair distribution for local income tax this legislative session,” Mayor Fadness said in an e-mailed statement. “We are committed to ensuring Fishers receives its appropriate distribution of income tax, and we will advocate for it again next year.”

“The school corporation  does not discriminate in its educational or employment activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including transgender status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression), disability, age, religion, military status, ancestry or genetic information, nor on any basis prohibited by applicable federal or state laws.”

That language was the subject of a long and heated debate among members of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board Wednesday night.  After an argument that seemed to never end, the board finally voted down the language above proposed by Board Member Julie Chambers.  Board members Chambers, Janet Pritchett and Michelle Fullhart supported the amendment language , but board member Sylvia Shelpler and Brad Boyer argued that the proposed amendment’s language was unnecessary.

When it came to a board vote, Amanda Shera, Mike Bottorff, Sylvia Shepler and Brad Boyer voted to reject the Chambers amendment.  Julie Chambers, Janet Pritchett and Michelle Fullhart voted for it.  As a result, the amendment was voted down 4-3.

The board then voted 4-3 to accept the following language instead:

“The school corporation will not discriminate in its educational and employment activities on any basis prohibited by applicable federal or state laws.”

Shera, Bottorff, Shepler, and Boyer voted yes on that measure.  Chambers, Pritchett and Fullhart cast no votes.

The vote followed some of the sharpest verbal exchanges this reporter has witnessed in the over 7 years I have covered the HSE School Board.  10 members of the public spoke passionately before the board in the public comment period, all but one arguing in support of Board Member Chambers’ amended language, which they felt was a strong statement of protection for all students in the HSE School District.

A majority of board members did not see it that way, and once Chambers’ amendment was voted down by 1 vote, there were outbursts from the audience, some in anger, some breaking down in tears over the board’s decision.  Many left the meeting room after warnings from Board President Bottorff about public outbursts during the session.

And there is one more thing.  This was just the first reading of this nondiscrimination policy.  It is not officially approved until voted on once again by the board in second reading, likely at the next regular board meeting.

(EDITOR’S NOTE:  This story was corrected at 9:20pm pm on 4.25.2019.  The previous version cited the original proposed language for the policy.  Brad Boyer moved to change the wording of the nondiscrimination policy passed on first reading Wednesday night.)

The Fishers Arts Council will be handing out awards to local high school artists May 3rd at Fishers City Hall.  Mayor Scott Fadness and Arts Council President Shari Knox  will be presenting the honors to 16 students during the 10th Annual Fishers Arts Council Senior Showcase.  The students in the running are all from the Hamilton Southeastern School District.

The categories are:

Best of Show $500.00

First Place, Photography, Drawing, Painting $250.00 each

Second Place, Photography, Drawing, Painting $150.00 each

Third Place, Photography, Drawing, Painting $100.00 each

Honorable Mention (6 total) FAC Certificates

$200,000 in total awards will be given May 3rd, a Fishers Arts Council record.

A free public reception is set from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Art Gallery at Fishers City Hall. The awards ceremony will begin at 8:00 pm.

The judge for the exhibit was Deborah Stapleton, Executive Director of the Anderson Museum of Art (AMA), Anderson, IN. Ms. Stapleton recently was a judge for the 2019 Indiana Artisans Show at the State Fairgrounds. She has been with AMA for the past 39 years.