The Hamilton Southeastern School board heard from Superintendent Allen Bourff Wednesday on proposals to “flip” school start times, but Bourff told the board it is not likely such a proposal would be implemented during the 2020-2021 school year.

Board members reviewed results of an online survey that garnered 1,840 comments.  58% of those responding clearly were opposed to flipping start times so high school and secondary school students would report for classes later and elementary students would start the school day earlier.  42% clearly favored the proposed change.  Bourff told the board there were some responses that made general comments but did not clearly state a preference for either choice.  For more details on the survey results, use this link 

The Hamilton Southeastern Education Association will be consulted on the start time flip issue, and Bourff expects a recommendation to be ready for the board in 2-4 weeks.

An item that could impact start times next school year is a proposal to implement a 3-tier bus scheduling system.  Superintendent Bourff and Director of Transportation Zach McKinney outlined several 3-tier options for the board’s consideration.  The board took no action.  To review the details of the options presented for the new bus scheduling system, use this link.

In other items from the January 15th school board meeting:

–The board elected officers for 2020.  Michelle Fullhart remains board president, Janet Pritchett will serve as vice president and Julie Chambers is the board secretary.  The vote was unanimous.

–Board members unanimously approved a recommendation for the construction method of the new elementary school to be built in Wayne Township, replacing the current Durbin Elementary School.  Bourff says the new space is needed because enrollment at the new Southeastern Elementary is continuing to rise, meaning there will be portable classrooms required there until the new elementary in Wayne Township is ready, which could be as early as 2022.  Southeastern Elementary is now the district’s largest elementary school, measured by enrollment.

–A bundle of changes to school policies received unanimous approval with little comment.

–Central Office Administrator Matt Kegley is negotiating with Hub & Spoke, along with the City of Fishers, on the building trades training program that could involve HSE students.  Hub & Spoke is expected to have their new facility ready in the coming months.  Board members were told to expect an update on that situation soon.

–Bourff reminded the board of the system to decide on school delayed start times and cancellation of school in bad weather conditions.  To get the most up-to-date information, follow Dr. Bourff’s Twitter account because that’s where the announcement is made first.  His Twitter account is – @AllenBourff

–The board honored the local FFA Chapter, receiving an update on their activities from Tom Yount and a number of his Agriculture students.

(EDITOR’S NOTE:  Earlier versions of this story said all officers will remain in 2020 and that was not correct.  The previous officers before 2020 were Michelle Fullhart, President….Sylvia Shepler, Vice President and Janet Pritchett, Secretary.  Thanks to my many sharp readers for pointing out the error, which has now been corrected)

The City of Noblesville hosts the Hamilton County government offices as the county seat.  Anyone required to visit Noblesville’s downtown area is aware that parking can be a bit confusing at times, as to which parking is free and for how long, as well as which parking is paid.

According to my news gathering partner, the Hamilton County Reporter, Noblesville will be implementing a new parking regime in the downtown area beginning January 21.  Changes include adjusting hours of enforcement, location of free and time-restricted spaces and new short-duration spots.

Several downtown businesses were involved in the new parking pilot program.  Downtown parking will be separated into three locations: Paid parking lots, free on-street spaces and two consecutive hours of free parking per day in the new tic-tac-toe board or hashtag area (the Downtown Square and one block away in each direction).

“These changes should make weekday parking downtown easier for residents and visitors,” said Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen. “Our historic downtown is the heart of our community and this program benefits the majority of those who depend on parking in downtown. Less than 500 feet from every downtown business, there will be free parking available all day.”

Parking in the free two-hour zone is for two consecutive hours per day, not per space. Once the vehicle is in a spot, the time begins and extends for two hours. If you stay over two hours or return to the two-hour zone on the same day before 5 p.m., you may receive a ticket. By capping it as two consecutive hours per day, the hashtag area encourages turnover of parking and prevents drivers from moving their cars from space to space every two hours in this zone. Shrinking the area for two-hour parking has created more than 250 spaces of free parking and more unrestricted parking available all day.

The city has created new 20-minute spaces on Logan, Conner and Ninth streets and Maple Avenue, which will not count toward a driver’s two consecutive hours. The purpose of these spaces is for those who make short, quick stops to run in, grab something and leave. These spaces will be conveniently located and may be used multiple times throughout the day without counting toward a driver’s two hours.

The two consecutive hour zone will be enforced from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays – a change from the previous start time of 8 a.m. City parking lots will be enforced from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drivers may utilize all parking lots and city/county employee lots for free after 5 p.m. weekdays and all day on weekends and holidays.

Other parking changes include:

• Noblesville City Hall lot provides free, unrestricted parking available all day.
• New parking lot signs and banners placed on street poles to identify parking areas. The Purple and Blue lots and on-street parking on Clinton Street (between Eighth and Ninth streets) will remain permit only.
• First-time offenders will be given a warning with an information pamphlet about available parking in downtown rather than a ticket. On the second offense, the initial cost for a parking ticket has increased to $20.
• New parking kiosks have replaced coin meters, allowing credit card and quarter payments and mobile app access. Kiosks are located in the Orange (Ninth Street) and Red (Logan Street) lots. The cost to park in these lots will remain at $0.25 per hour. If using a credit card, there is a $1 minimum total and a small transaction fee.
• Similar to Indianapolis and Broad Ripple, Noblesville’s parking is available on the ParkMobile app. The app is free to download to your smartphone through the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app will store your information for any vehicle you may be driving.

More information including parking maps, a video on how to use the new parking kiosks and how to download the ParkMobile app is available at cityofnoblesville.org/parking.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers bounced back after consecutive losses to beat Arsenal Tech 63-48 Tuesday at the Tiger Den.

The Class 4A No. 4 Tigers got off to a great start, leading 18-4 after the first quarter. Jeffrey Simmons had a dominant period, scoring 10 points, including 4-of-4 free-throw shooting. Fishers then led 35-19 at halftime, with Drew Turner adding seven points and Simmons scoring another six.

The second half was more evenly played, but the Tigers held a comfortable advantage throughout. Simmons led the scoring for the game with 18 points, with Charlie Smith adding 14 and Turner contributing 11 points.

Fishers is 13-2 and hosts Brownsburg on Friday as part of a girls-boys Hoosier Crossroads Conference doubleheader.

Hamilton County Reporter

Christine Altman has been elected president of the Hamilton County Commissioners. She replaces Steve Dillinger in the role. Mark Heirbrandt will serve as Vice President. Election of officers is an annual practice at the first meeting of each year.

Altman

Altman was first elected to the Hamilton County Commissioners in 2003. She represents the City of Carmel and Clay Township. An attorney by trade, Altman has been in private practice for over 37 years concentrating her efforts in business, probate and real estate law at Altman Poindexter & Wyatt, Attorneys at Law.

Altman is an active member of the Indiana Commission for Women, having previously been appointed chair of the Commission by former Governor Mike Pence. She also serves as the Hamilton County Representative of the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) and the US 31 Coalition.

Altman is the chair of the Conner Prairie Museum Board of Directors and has been pro bono legal counsel for the Carmel High School Vocational Building Trades Corporation for 25 years. She is a former president and dean of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy and former director of the Carmel Clay Chamber of Commerce.

Altman and her husband live in Carmel.

Democrat Aimee Rivera Cole challenged Indiana House Republican incumbent Todd Huston in 2018 and garnered 46% of the general election vote.  She has announced her intention to once again run as a Democrat for the District 37 Indiana House seat.

Cole, a 13-year resident of Fishers, cites her strong commitment to improving working conditions for Indiana teachers, enhancing safety in schools, protecting women’s reproductive rights and preserving property values.  She also cites her extensive record as a volunteer in the Fishers community.

“I want to make every Hoosier city and town a place where residents can earn a fair living wage and afford safe housing,” said Cole in a campaign news release. “I believe that every Hoosier wants essentially the same things – A happy, healthy family and a safe community. Residents deserve this and more.”

If Cole wins the Democratic nomination, she will be facing the speaker of the House in Huston, who is expected to be sworn-in as the Indiana Speaker of the House after the 2020 session ends.

Homeowners with property touching the Nickel Plate Trail will be eligible to apply for a grant program of up to $2,000, defraying the cost of installing screening, privacy, or
buffering improvements.  If a homeowner’s property frontage along the trail exceeds 300 feet, the owner may be eligible for an additional $500 grant.  The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety voted Monday in favor of the program that is aimed at funding improvements such as planting trees & shrubs, constructing fencing and other improvements as reviewed and approved by city staff.  Funds from the Nickel Plate Trail bond will fund the program and is budgeted to cost the city $181,000.  The city will establish an application process…for more information, use this link.

In other Board of Works actions:

–Three Legal contracts were renewed for the city’s outside counsel.  Attorney Jennifer Messer will continue to handle economic develop issues.  Barnes & Thornburg will take care of bond issues and Krieg Devault will once again handle planning and zoning for the city.

We are in the middle of winter, even if we have had above-normal temperatures lately, with flooding front-and-center rather than snow & ice.  But it is already time to begin thinking about enrolling your youngsters in summer camps provided by the Fishers Parks & Recreation Department.

There are a number of different camps available this summer.  For more details, check this link. 

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern finished its Saturday night game strong, pulling away from Warren Central to score a 58-39 victory at the Royals’ gym.

The game was close in the first half. Both teams played to a 10-10 tie after the first quarter, with Southeastern going ahead 20-18 by halftime. The Royals began to take control in the third period, which they finished with a 32-25 advantage. Southeastern then poured in 26 points in the fourth to run away with the win.

Mabor Majak led the Royals with 16 points, with Vinny Buccilla adding 15 points. Majak and DeAndre Rhodes both collected eight rebounds, while Kole Hornbuckle pulled six rebounds. Buccilla handed out six assists. Southeastern played a great defensive game, holding the Warriors to 29 percent shooting from the field.

The Royals are 5-5 and travel to Westfield on Friday for a girls-boys Hoosier Crossroads Conference doubleheader.

I began posting local podcasts in 2016, and have been continuing the series ever since.  It is the one place where local people can sit down and talk about what they are doing in the Fishers community for about 30 minutes.

After roughly four years of regularly posting these podcasts, this reporter is taking a little time off from podcasting, but never fear, new podcasts should be available by early February, at the latest.

Also, I have plans for a special podcast series early this year.  More on that in coming weeks.

If you want to review the many podcasts posted during 2019, you may do so at this link.

Hamilton County Reporter / WISH-TV

Police in Fishers say a juvenile suspect was injured after stealing a car and crashing it into a guardrail during a police pursuit Friday morning.

Photo provided

It happened around 8 a.m. in the area of 98th Street and Allisonville Road.

According to Fishers police, the juvenile was spotted in a black car driving at a high rate of speed. The suspect refused to stop and continued driving northbound on Eller Road.

The juvenile crashed the stolen vehicle about a mile down the road at the 106th Street intersection.

The car went over the guardrail and nearly ended up in a creek.

Police say the suspect was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Details about where the car was stolen from or the identity of the suspect have not been released.