Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Superintendent Yvonne Stokes says she knew early in the interview process that Jimmie Lake was the right person to become the Chief Operations Officer (COO), a newly created position in the school district.  The HSE School Board approved Mr. Lake’s appointment at Wednesday night’s meeting.

According to a school district news release, the new COO “will lead in identifying corporation goals and developing strategies to ensure the safety and support of students and staff.”

Since 2017, Lake has served as an adjunct professor at Anderson University, where he also later served as MBA Director. Before that, he was the Regional Manager of Practice Operations for Ascension Medical Group.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity of building and cultivating relationships that will further support plans, strategies and tactics that build upon key aspects of the mission of Hamilton Southeastern Schools as ‘forward-thinking’ and ‘providing excellence in education’,” said Lake.

Lake has resided in Fishers for the past 9 years.

The board approved two other administrators Wednesday night.  Karen Bush is the new Director of College and Career Counseling at Hamilton Southeastern High School.  Steve Guenin was approved as a permanent Dean of Students at Hamilton Southeastern High School.

Fishers has had an ordinance on the books for some time governing the use of golf carts on streets.  With warm weather here and golf carts in regular use, the Fishers Police Department reminds local residents that golf carts are only allowed within streets of local neighborhoods that have finished a process setup by the city allowing golf carts on those streets.

So far only the following neighborhoods have gone through the city ordinance process to allow golf carts on their streets:  Britton Falls, Thorpe Creek, Intracoastal At Geist and Graystone.

Police issued the following release Wednesday:

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The Fishers Police Department would like to remind residents of the city’s local ordinance concerning the use and operation of golf carts. Fishers’ City Ordinance No. 090214D (codified at §94.02 of the Code of Ordinances) authorizes the use of golf carts on some neighborhood streets if the following conditions have been met:

1. Fishers has determined that golf carts may be safely operated on the streets within

the specific neighborhood;

2. A threshold amount (75 percent or higher) of property owners in the neighborhood have voted in favor of allowing golf carts within the neighborhood and the results of the election have been certified; and

3. The proper signage in the designated locations has been placed.

Golf carts shall not be operated on the public streets of Fishers except in full compliance with the provisions of this section. Currently, Britton Falls, Thorpe Creek, Intracoastal At Geist and Graystone are the only neighborhoods, in Fishers, to be in full compliance with the provisions of this section.

OPERATION REGULATIONS

a) Hours of Operation. Golf Carts shall only be operated on designated streets from sunrise

to sunset unless such golf cart is equipped with headlights, taillights, brake lights,

seatbelts, turn signals, and rearview mirror.

b) Right-of-Way. The operator of a golf cart shall yield the right-of-way to overtaking

motor vehicles.

c) Streets. Golf carts may only be used on streets designated within the establish

neighborhood or other Fishers’ approved neighborhood areas. Nothing in this policy

shall be construed to apply to or limit the use of golf carts on golf courses or private

property.

d) Fishers Property and Sidewalks. Golf carts shall not be operated on any sidewalk,

pedestrian walkway, multi-use path, or trail or any other non-designated public ways.

The only exception to this use is of golf carts on Fishers’ municipal property for official

purposes.

e) Golf Cart Capacity. The seating capacity, normally no more than four (4) passengers,

shall not be exceeded nor shall the operator or any passenger be permitted to stand while

the golf cart is in operation.

f) Parking. Golf carts may only be parked in the same manner and at the same places

designated for parking of motor vehicles. The stopping, standing, or parking of golf carts

in areas where parking is not allowed or in any place that impede the flow of traffic,

pedestrian walkways, or a passageway is prohibited.

g) Alcohol Use. No person under the influence of an alcoholic beverage shall operate or be in control of any golf cart operated within the neighborhood. No golf cart shall have an open alcoholic beverage container aboard while in operation.

h) Valid License Required. Only persons possessing a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Indiana, another state of the United States, or an international agency shall be permitted to operate a golf cart on Fishers streets.

DISCLAIMER, LIABILITY, AND INSURANCE

a) Disclaimer. Golf carts are not designed for or manufactured to be used on public streets, and Fishers neither advocates nor endorses the golf cart as a safe means of travel on public streets. Fishers in no way shall be liable for accidents, injuries, or death involving the operation of a golf cart.

b) Assumption of Risk. Any person who owns, operates, or rides upon a golf cart on a

public street within the designated use area does so at his/her own risk and peril and

assumes all liability resulting from the operation of the golf cart.

c) “Proof of Financial Responsibility”. Shall mean, pursuant to Ind. Code §9-25-2-3, proof of ability to respond in damages for liability that arises out of the ownership,

maintenance, or use of a Golf Cart in the following amounts:

1) Twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) because of bodily injury to or death of

any one (1) person;

2) Subject to the limit in subdivision (1), fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) because of

bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one (1) accident; and

3) Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) because of injury to or destruction of property in

any one (1) accident.

PENALTIES

Fishers shall issue a uniform ordinance violation citation (as outlined in the golf cart ordinance) to any person violating a provision of this policy in the following amounts which shall be processed by and paid to Fishers’ Ordinance Violation Bureau as follows:

1. First Offense: Fifty Dollars ($50.00);

2. Second Offense within one (1) year: One Hundred Dollars ($100.00); and

3. Third offense and any additional offense within (1) year: Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00)

Dr. Jerry McKibben’s message to the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board was clear – the student population will go down a bit in the next 5 years and the elementary buildings will see a slight uptick in about 10 years.  But, growth in student numbers will be uneven within the district boundaries.

“You will see a little bit of growth, but the distribution of growth…will change dramatically,” Dr. McKibben told board members.  “The distribution of population growth is usually different than distribution of student growth.  They are not one-hundred percent correlated.”

Much of the Tuesday evening work session was spent with board member Suzanne Thomas questioning his projection of a fairly steady HSE student population over next 10 years.  Thomas insisted her experience as a real estate agent shows her student numbers will grow, but McKibben responded that real estate transactions are only one of  a number of factors he considers when making student population forecasts.

McKibben made clear at the outset that he is not not making projections, but rather providing a forecast.  A forecast looks at likely outcomes, while a projection is generally defined as focusing on a desired outcome.

The tipping point for home mortgage interest rates is 5%, and McKibben says rates are now just above the 5% threshold.  He expects that, and some coming demographic changes, will cool off the housing market over time.

Most school districts have seen a 3%-6% reduction in the student population statistics, but HSE Schools saw only a .7% reduction.

He did note a small increase in families choosing to send their children to a different school district, relating to the size of the high schools.  Many find it difficult to make the sports teams or participate in other activities, such as band.  Mount Vernon is the school corporation receiving the most students from HSE.  The total number of students transferring out of HSE Schools has been at 900 per year, but has increased during to COVID period to 1,250.

McKibben says HSE suffers from what he describes as the “curse of the successful school district,” meaning students have high performance, attend college then generally do not return to their home area once college is done.

There was a lengthy discussion of how the student count will remain relatively steady, even the the general population of the district increasing, due to fewer households with children within the district boundaries.

When asked about how a recession might impact the forecast, McKibben says that would cause the student numbers to go down.

You can review the entire written report from Dr. McKibben at this link. 

HSE Schools have been waiting for the results of the latest demographic study and the report shows the student population number will not change much in the next several years.

Dr. Jerry McKibben of Mckibben Demographic Research says in his written report the HSE District total student population is forecast “to decrease by 167 students, or -1.0%, between 2021-22 and 2026-27. Total enrollment will increase by 94 students, or 0.4%, from 2026-27 to 2031-32.”

McKibben cites reasons for the HSE student number decrease over the next five years, including an increase in empty nest households, a relatively low number of elderly housing units turning over, and adding that a flat rate is forecast for migration of young families.

“The local 18-to-24 year old population continues to leave the district, going to college or
moving to other urbanized areas,” according to the report. “This population group accounts for the largest segment of the district’s out migration flow and will increase steadily over the next 10 years. The second largest migration outflow is in the 70+ age groups.”

McKibben expects HSE Schools elementary enrollment to slowly increase over the next 10 school years.

As to the forecast for housing in the district, the report says the following:

“Even if the district continues to have some amount of annual new housing unit construction over the next 10 years, the rate, magnitude and price of existing home sales will become the increasingly dominant factor affecting the amount of population and enrollment change.”

In the report’s executive summary, the total district enrollment is forecasted to decrease by 167 students, or -1.0%, between 2021-22 and 2026-27. Total enrollment is expected to increase by 94 students, or 0.4%, from 2026-27 to 2031-32.

The school district posted the report in advance of a work session school board meeting set for 5pm May 10th.  The session is open to the public, but will not be live-streamed or video recorded.

You may view the entire report at this link.

In Indiana, the month of May is immediately associated with auto racing and the running of the Indianapolis 500.

Fishers Arts Council continues its 2022 Season of Art at City Hall featuring four artists with the exhibit, “The Art of Racing.” The exhibit will be open from May 9th through June 29th to celebrate the heritage of racing in Indiana. Exhibit hours are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily and 10 am to noon on Saturdays during Fishers Summer Farmers’ Market. There will be a Second Friday Reception for the artists on Friday, May 13th from 6-8 pm at the Art Gallery at City Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Live music will be performed by Andy Schomburg of Noblesville and refreshments and snacks will be available. Our Squirrel Stampede project will also be available for guests to add their mark on community art.

The artists exhibiting are Greg Clack, David O’Dell, Brenda Jalaie, and Mark Rouse. Each shares their own perspective of the art of racing from people in the stands, to the cars and racing environment.  Here is the Fishers Arts Council news release about the four artists:

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Greg Clack grew up in Indianapolis and took art classes throughout his school years. Following high school, he entered the United States Air Force where he was able to pursue some art projects.

“So, I’ve always had an interest in creating art. Years ago, I went to the Artomobilia Car and Art Show. This renewed my interest as I was able stroll into the open galleries and look at the artwork I liked. The added bonus being I was able to take workshops with the artists who painted the art I liked. This started me on a path of studying and observing and progressing to make better artwork.”

David O’Dell is a resident of Fishers; he is a printmaker specializing in serigraphy.

He began screen printing at Serigraphics of Indianapolis designing and printing

posters for rock and roll bands and other entertainers. David graduated from Ball State

University in Art with a specialization in Advertising. He has a Master’s Degree in

Printmaking from Wayne State University. He was Art Director at St. Charles County

Community College in Missouri and Senior Graphic Designer for Kmart Corporation.

David’s father, David O’Dell, was the official photographer at the Indianapolis 500

from 1951-1957. This instilled a family tradition; David has attended 57 Indy 500s to date. His love of Indy cars has led to a series of limited-edition serigraphs of vintage Indy cars which he creates in a style he calls “Crop Pop.”

David’s exploration of form has led to the creation of lenticular art in which the art changes depending on the viewers perspective. Some of his artistic influences are Yaacov Agam, Leroy Neiman, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Richard Estes.

David has won over 30 national and regional awards including 5 national first place Paragon awards for his designs.

Most of Brenda Jalaie’s work has always been photography oriented. “I have a passion for processing and printing ‘the old fashioned way’ using film and needing a dark room. I love working with large negatives and creating works that are contact printed, like Gum-Bichromates and Van Dykes. But in the real work of balancing a teaching career, mother and art, I find more and more I am just focused on capturing the scenes of a fleeting moment. Rarely cropped, rarely adjusted for color, just what I see through my camera when I see it.”

After years of studying, teaching and creating mostly acrylic paintings, Mark Rouse was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and “pronounced legally blind!”

“One of the things that I feared the most was that I would never paint again.” However, with the help of a great doctor, his vision is back to normal.

Before his brush with blindness, Mark’s art focused on creating something new, something that no one had seen before. “Blindness caused a change of focus to painting the things that I might never see again. My work since that time has been images from nature, my memories and images that proclaim my faith.”

There is no doubt people in Fishers are ready to get back out and head to public events.  That was obvious Saturday morning, May 7, at the first Fishers Farmers Market of 2022.

Conditions were a bit windy and cool, but the crowd was large.  Vendors had plenty of customers.

After two years of dealing with a deadly pandemic, the Farmers Market is yet one more example of getting back to normal in Fishers.

The Fishers City Engineering Department has received the bids for the planned construction at 141st Street and State Road 37, and the City Engineering Department Director Jason Taylor is recommending that the city reject all the bids received because they exceed the estimates.

Taylor says the city expected the bids to be over the estimates but “not this much.”

“We’re going to go back, analyze it, and then hopefully in the coming weeks be able to have more information on what happened, why the numbers were higher and then be able to make an educated decision and recommendation on next steps and will present those to the City Council and (Hamilton) County,” Taylor said in a podcast interview.

For more on that, and much more on local road issues, here is my podcast with Jason Taylor and Assistant Engineering Director Hatem Mekky.

Yulia Tolstikov-Mast grew up in Russia, spent time in Ukraine and is now an American citizen living in Fishers.  She volunteered to travel into Poland in an effort to assist the large number of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in their home country.

Yulia has many stories to tell in this podcast about her time in Poland.  She says the most effective assistance provided to these refugees is through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other nonprofit groups.

The podcast link is below, but here are ways you can help.

Contribute on Yulia’s Go Fund Me page

You can contribute to Indiana Supports Ukraine

For food support, Yulia recommends World Central Kitchen

Another recommendation from Yulia on how you can help is by visiting the North America for Ukraine Facebook page

You may contact Dr. Yulia Tolstikov-Mast at her Linked-In page 

The dust is beginning to settle and 8 school corporations in Indiana asked their voters for local tax support in the 2022 primary election cycle.  Six of those school districts saw their voters pass the local referendum while two did not.  I sifted through those results to see if there are any clues as to how our local Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District will handle a referendum vote in 2023.

HSE has an operating referendum that is due to expire.  Indiana law says such referenda only last for a certain number of years.  It had been seven years, but a recent law change made the length eight years.

An operating referendum normally supplements the state support for teachers salaries and number of staff members.  In HSE’s case, the 2016 referendum was aimed at providing more competitive pay for the teaching staff, lower class sizes (mostly in the lower grades) and also finance a mental health program.

The HSE School Board has several decisions to make in the 2023 operating referendum.  Will the board place the item on the primary or general election ballot?  (In 2023, Fishers will conduct a city election, with the mayor’s office and all 9 council seats up for election).  Will the board choose to ask voters to keep the current operating referendum property tax rate, or will the requested rate be more or less than the current rate?  Will the board choose to hire an outside firm to help manage the referendum campaign?

I have leaned on some very good reporting by Arika Herron and M.J. Slaby of the Indianapolis Star (two excellent journalists) and reporters from the non-profit news organization Chalkbeat, for a look at what has happened to school referenda in Indiana this primary election cycle.

Of the eight school districts with a referendum on the ballot, six were approved, two were voted down.  All six approved were operating referenda, with the two losing were tied to capital projects (school buildings.)

One losing referendum was in Marion County’s Franklin Township.  That district asked voters to provide funding for a renovation and expansion project for their growing student population.  Franklin Township has a history of voting-down school referenda and it happened again in 2023.  School officials there say they will do the best they can, but the challenges of keeping an old building going with increasing student counts will not go away.

The other referendum in the state to lose was in Terre Haute.  There is a long history here, but suffice it to say the voters in Vigo County chose no on a school building project there.

Close to Fishers, Lebanon and Perry Township Schools saw their voters approve their operating referenda by comfortable margins.

So, what does this portend for HSE Schools in their 2023 operating referendum renewal vote?  There is only one conclusion I can draw, based on what very good reporters have written and experts have said.

The fear that a new convoluted language requirement on the referendum ballot did not have the adverse impact that many educators had feared.  Many pundits opined that a number of Indiana lawmakers were of the opinion that too many school referenda were passing in the state.

The results in May of 2022 show that voters appear willing to fund teachers and staff to support their local schools, even if it means property tax bills will go up (or remain the same).  It also illustrates that if the local school district explains what is at stake, and just how the referendum would impact tax bills, the public is willing to listen.

We are many months away from a local HSE operating referendum vote, but what is happening now around the state can provide some clues.  And another important election is coming up later this year…four of the seven HSE School Board seats are up for grabs in the November general election.

Julie Chambers is seeking a second term on the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School board in the upcoming fall general election.  Ms. Chambers currently serves as President of the HSE Board of Trustees.

“As the daughter of a public school teacher and a product of public schools myself, I truly believe that our public schools are the bedrock of our community,” Chambers wrote in a Facebook posting announcing her candidacy.  “HSE Schools are excellent, and much like many families in our district, one of the main reasons we ended in Fishers. However, no district is perfect, and we should never stop striving to improve.”

In the 2018 election, Ms. Chambers defeated Brad Banks by 268 votes – Chambers received 4,971 votes, Banks 4,703.

HSE School Board candidates begin their official filing July 27, with the filing deadline at noon August 26.  In this election, there are four of the seven board seats up for election.  Each candidate only runs within the border of her/his district, with only voters within that district casting ballots for that board seat.

The general election is set for November 8.