The designation of a school as Blue Ribbon is a very special national honor.  Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education for the United States. has announced Thorpe Creek Elementary, a part of Hamilton Southeastern Schools, is receiving the Blue Ribbon School honor.

“This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” said Secretary Cardona in a news release. “I commend all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”

The Blue Ribbon School honor is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Thorpe Creek Elementary principal Sara Curran credits the school’s universal belief among staff and parents that all students are unique and capable. “This shared mindset drives high expectations and responsive instruction for each learner at TCE,” Curran said.

Hamilton Southeastern Schools produced a video on Thorpe Creek receiving the Blue Ribbon School honor.  See the video at the link below.

At the risk of showing my age once again, I was a student in a political science class in the mid 1970s.  The professor gave us a class project.  We were divided into groups, given census data and were tasked with drawing congressional boundaries.

The first thing that happened was one or two members of each group ended up doing most of the work, mainly because it was too difficult and cumbersome for a group of people to redistrict.  It is a numbers-oriented and detailed task.

When the class reassembled, the professor said he wanted to show us how redistricting is generally done…a small group of people do the number crunching.  Certain leaders instruct those drawing the maps what they want, but the final maps are drawn based on the work of a few people.  The availability of computerized data has created a science out of drawing these districts in recent years.

The Indiana General Assembly has released the proposed maps for the U.S. House of Representatives and Indiana legislative House members using 2020 census numbers.  House Speaker Todd Huston has represented most of Fishers the past ten years.  His district has been redone, District 37, where he plans to run for re-election.  His new district takes in part of east Fishers but also moves up to the northern and eastern parts of Hamilton County.

To be honest, the maps are a little confusing but Fishers will be represented by more than one member of the Indiana House in the 2022 legislative elections.  The map is not final, subject to a vote by lawmakers, but it is generally assumed the Indiana House maps will be approved as released.

As of this writing, state lawmakers had not released districts for the Indiana Senate.

It is a little difficult to sift out all the districts in detail based on the maps released so far.  But we do know U.S. Congresswoman Victoria Spartz will be running in a district without part of Marion County, and will run for re-election as a candidate to represent Fishers in 2022.

You may have seen a term lately in the news – “gerrymandering.”  That is a process imagined by a man named Elbridge Gerry.  As governor of Massachusetts in 1812, Mr. Gerry signed a bill that created a district many described as in the shape of a mythical salamander.  In other words, he invented the American version of drawing districts into whatever shape provides political advantage to the party in power.

Both Republicans and Democrats have been skillful in drawing gerrymandered districts when in power.  But there is a very big downside to gerrymandering districts – it creates voter apathy.  After all, why vote in a general election when one candidate has such a huge advantage over an opponent of the opposite party?

Indiana has very low voter turnout numbers compared to what is seen in most other sates.  A number of political scientists point to Indiana’s gerrymandered districts is a major reason for this.

Indiana State Senator Fady Qaddoura, a member of the State Senate Elections Committee, and representing a part of Fishers, argues in an opinion piece published in the Hamilton County Reporter, that Indiana suffers economically when districts are gerrymandered.  

“Indiana has plenty of advantages when attracting new businesses,” writes Senator Qaddoura. “However, recent studies show that Indiana underinvests in workforce development, K-12 education, healthcare and the environment. If we are to address these issues successfully, we need fair districts that elect more moderate legislators focused on problem solving and working together to address chronic challenges facing Indiana.”

The state senator urges the business community to get behind fair district lines as a way to develop Indiana by electing representatives from both parties that are more moderate.  He argues, as many political scientists do, that gerrymandered districts often produce more radical nominees for the general election, that may not be in tune with many voters in the district turned off by the gerrymandered districts.

I do not know whether that is true, but I do know our districts are contributing to a lack of interest in general election contests.  That is not good for our body politic.

I do not pretend to have all the answers, but I know we have a problem in Indiana.  We will wait and see what, if anything, happens next.

The Fishers Health Department has seen a slight increase in the Fishers testing site positive rate and a decrease in case incidence rate, in the latest update posted Friday. This is the second week that local health officials have seen a decrease in cases in Fishers, which may indicate that Fishers is in a position of flattening a bit. Overall, we are seeing that unvaccinated case rates are 7.5 times higher than in vaccinated cases.

Fishers is at COVID community risk Level 3 on a scale of 5, with 5 being the highest risk.

Although local hospital capacity is generally available at the moment, health officials say capacity continues to decrease and the number of people hospitalized is increasing.

See below for information just posted by the Fishers Health Department:

Vaccine Walk-In’s & Appointments Available for Ages 12+
Walk-in or schedule an appointment for your free COVID vaccine at the Fishers Mass Vaccination Site. Register in advance at ourshot.in.gov, by calling 2-1-1 or the Fishers COVID Hotline at 317-595-3211. Children ages 12 – 17 require parental consent to receive the vaccine. No insurance is required.

After reviewing even more data about the first COVID-19 vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, the FDA has issued full approval to the Pfizer vaccine. Join the millions who have already gotten a safe, effective, and free COVID-19 vaccine.

Fishers Mass Vaccination Site Walk-In Hours:

• Saturday: 10 – 11.45 a.m. & at the Fishers Farmers’ Market from 8.30 a.m. – noon
• Sunday: Closed

Beginning Monday, September 20:

• Monday: 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
• Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.
• Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
• Thursday: 11 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. & at the Fishers Farmers’ Market from 8.30 a.m. – noon
• Sunday: Closed

Rapid COVID Tests Available

• Monday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Thursday: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

Due to the current volume of requests, we are prioritizing tests ages 5 -18 years old. Other requests are processed in the order in which they are received, and may take up to 24 hours for scheduling. Scheduling may be an additional 24 hours or more due to high demand. We currently have SAME DAY or NEXT DAY self-scheduling options for PCR tests. Schedule here.

Be aware of road closures on 116th Street, particularly between Brooks School and Olio Roads, starting September 23.

Below is the full listing of road construction in and around Fishers, as provided by the city:

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Rick Wimmer, former Fishers High School varsity football coach, is now retired, but his suspension years ago, and what Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools did and did not disclose about that suspension, were before the justices of the Indiana State Supreme Court Thursday morning.

The legal arguments centered on what Indiana lawmakers meant when writing into the public records statute that public employee discipline disclosures must include the “factual basis for” the decision in a 2003 change to the law.  The HSE Schools attorney, Liberty Roberts, a partner in the Hamilton County law firm Church, Church, Hittle and Antrim, argued that the factual basis test applied to school districts should be a narrow one.  Adam A. Marshal, a senior staff attorney at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, represented WTHR and told justices the factual basis test should include much more than HSE Schools provided to WTHR-TV journalists.

When Mr. Wimmer was suspended roughly 5 years ago, WTHR made two requests that went to the Indiana Public Access Counselor’s Office.  HSE responded to WTHR’s request for a factual basis for the suspension of Mr. Wimmer, only saying he failed to control the classroom and provided a section of school policy with a long list of possible violations.  The HSE District provided no other facts.

The Public Access Counselor’s office appeared to side with WTHR, saying a factual basis for the suspension needed to include more than HSE provided to the television station’s journalists.  Public Access Counselor opinions are advisory.

WTHR, with the help of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, filed suit seeking more details of the reason for Mr. Wimmer’s 5-day suspension.  The Hamilton County Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals sided with HSE Schools, leading to the oral arguments before the state’s highest court when WTHR appealed.

The legal arguments presented to the court, and the questions posed to attorneys by the justices, centered on what the Indiana General Assembly meant by the phrase “factual basis for” in the 2003 change in the statute.

The privacy rights of public employees, versus the public’s right to know under the law, is the issue justices must decide in their decision.  There is no indication when that decision will be handed down.

The 5 justices pressed both attorneys with hypothetical situations on what must be provided by a school district that would meet the test of disclosing  “factual basis for” public employee discipline.

One thing all agreed upon in the Thursday morning proceedings – this statute language has never been before the state’s high court previously and whatever decision the justices publish will have ramifications state-wide.

When Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness revealed his plans to build a new city hall along with ambitious arts & community centers, he indicated confidence that what he calls “quality of life” projects could be constructed without an increase in the city tax rate.  Speaking before the City Council Finance Committee Wednesday evening, the mayor provided an early hint as to how he plans to accomplish this.

Fadness presented a chart showing how debt payments owed by the city will begin to fall starting after 2024.  The mayor says the new city hall, possible adjoining arts & culture center as well as the large community center could be financed beginning in 2030 or 2031, without a hike in the city tax rate.

Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren, speaking to LarryInFishers after the meeting, said the buildings should be completed and in use well before 2030, even with the debt for the projects being issued in 2030.

The mayor went through completed projects the city has financed over the past 8-10 years…such as the new police and fire headquarters, building out more of the city’s fire station system, State Road 37 construction, improvements on Allisonville Road and the 106th Street I-69 interchange.

“I think we are in a really good place as you see we kind of crescendo with debt payments in 2023 and 2024,” Fadness told committee members.  “We are exceptionally confident that we wouldn’t be seeing a tax increase due to that debt (crescendo) in 2023 and 2024.

Fadness promised the council committee more details on the “quality of life” projects soon.

“We’re going to refine those numbers and come back to you at a later date to start talking through the actual financial instruments,” said the mayor.

As we emerged from the shutdowns of COVID-19, we know the pandemic is not over but vaccinations have provided a way for people to gather once again.  The City of Fishers has been back at work putting events together.

The city released a comprehensive list of events for the fall season Wednesday.  Here is that listing:

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The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools have lost 215 students this fall compared to the previous school year’s student population.  That was revealed at a Tuesday morning school board budget work session.

Chief Financial Officer Katy Dowling told board members the current HSE District student count is 21,180.  The official student count reported to the state will be taken Friday, September 17th.

School Board Member Michelle Fullhart noted that the neighboring school district in Carmel is also losing students this fall.

School officials say there are only 127 students on virtual learning this semester.

Dowling reviewed the various funds the school corporation uses and how she projects they will be handled in the new budget year, starting January 1.  In October, the school board  will hold a public hearing on the budget and finalize the spending plan later in October.

Dowling told LarryInFishers it is too early in the process to project the total budget for all funds for 2022, but the reduction in student enrollment could see about $1.5 million less in funding from the state, which pays local school districts based on student enrollment.

The current 2021 HSE budget, including all funds, stands at $259.2 million, a 3.37% increase over 2020 spending.  That budget included $4 million less in state funding due to a loss of approximately 400 students compared to the previous year.  Attrition and COVID funding from the federal government resulted in no employee layoffs this year.

Dowling, emphasizing this is a projection until all the numbers are in, believes the school district’s share of the tax rate will remain steady, perhaps even go down slightly.  The current HSE tax rate is $1.24 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Dowling said support from the City of Fishers is very generous in partnering with the school corporation.

“I’ve never seen the level of cooperation between a school district and a governmental entity that we have here,” Dowling told the board.  “We are very fortunate.”

In the late 1970s, I had just started as the morning news anchor for WCSI Radio in Columbus, Indiana.  I was also tasked with covering any news events scheduled during the day.

I was to cover a meeting of the Indiana State Senate Finance Committee.  The location of that Columbus meeting was a building that I had never entered.

Upon arrival, the front doors were all locked and it appeared there was no one in the building.  I double-checked and found I was at the correct address.

Then the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, John Mutz arrived.  One thing I knew for sure – the meeting wouldn’t start before the chairman arrived.

We were both a few minutes late and could not figure out how to enter this building.  Finally, I found what looked like a fire-escape style ladder on the side of the building.  We went up the ladder, found a large steel door, and found the meeting, waiting for the chairman to arrive.

That was the first time I ever met John Mutz.  He struck me as a good and down-to-earth man as we partnered to find a way into that Columbus building.  As I continued my journalism career, I found Mr. Mutz had a reputation for integrity, even among those not on his political wave length.

John Mutz later became Lieutenant Governor for the State of Indiana, but lost in his bid for governor.  He became a corporate executive as well as a leader in the nonprofit sector, heading up the Lilly Foundation for a time.

The name of John Mutz surfaced in an Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) article published in the September 10th edition.  Reporter Emily Ketterer wrote about Mr. Mutz’s involvement in the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism’s Local News Initiative.

As a former politician, office holder and private sector leader, Mutz saw how the lack of local news was hurting communities.  He wanted to do something about it.  He put his money on that concern.

Data cited in the IBJ article says 200 counties and 1,300 communities throughout the United States have no local news sources as of early 2020.  Indiana has fared a bit better with only two counties without some local news source – Scott and Crawford.

John Mutz donated an initial $250,000 to start the Local News Initiative program in 2017,  then later kicked-in $2 million two years later.  He also arranged for foundation funding to augment the program.

The Medill School is helping news organizations in focusing on how to serve readers.  The online advertising dollars are being scooped-up by the big tech platforms, meaning local news outlets must lean on reader revenue.

The program helps in gathering and interpreting data to develop content relevant to the local community served.

I have been writing about the tragic slow death of local news outlets for years.  Seeing a man like John Mutz supporting a major endeavor aimed to helping these local news outlets is encouraging.  Let us just say I am a bit more hopeful about the future of local news now.

You can read the IBJ story at this link.  (Note: Subscription may be required)

A Friday night crash, shortly before 5:30pm, resulted in the death of a motorcyclist at 96th Street and Olio Road.  James Michael Alexander Douglas, 26, from Indianapolis, was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital.

A statement issued Monday by Fishers Police cites preliminary evidence and witness statements indicating the crash occurred when the Yamaha motorcycle, traveling northbound, collided with a Honda CRV as it was turning southbound from Geist Crossing Road.  The driver of the Honda, Jose Lucas Lugo Padua, 79, from McCordsville, suffered minor injuries in the accident.

Fishers Police continue their investigation into the crash.