The number of students attending Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools is just under the demographic study projection for this school year.  HSE Schools Chief Financial Officer, Katy Dowling, told school board members Thursday night that the official count is 21,149, 78 fewer than Dr. Jerry McKibben’s forecast.  Most such projections are expected to be within a 2% margin, and McKibben’s number was less then 1% off.  Dowling said the student number is about flat compared to one year ago.

In other items from the school board meeting Thursday:

–The Lantern Road Elementary School renovation will move forward as planned.  In a previous board session, school officials told the board increased costs could impact he extent of the work.  CFO Dowling says the district’s bond attorneys have found a way to manage the debt, based on a 17% increase in assessed property valuations in the district, which will not impact the school district’s share of the property tax rate.

–The board voted 4-3 tabling a proposal to join other area school districts by joining the  Hamilton County Pursuit Institute.  Board member Suzanne Thomas said she did not have time to review the proposal because material was provided shortly before the meeting.  A majority of board members voted to delay action to the next board meeting October 12.

–The board unanimously voted to advertise the proposed 2023 budget.  A public hearing is set for October 12.

–School administrators and the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) complimented each other for the work that went into the new contract for district teachers.  The board unanimously approved the agreement, the last action required for the pact to be put into effect.

–The board voted to seek bids for an expansion of the district’s Transportation Center.  The number of buses has grown to the point that all vehicles cannot fit into the current building.

–Brad Boyer talked about a recent meeting of the Fishers Redevelopment Commission.  Although most development in the city is in TIF Districts that do not generate property tax revenue for local government for several years, HSE Schools will receive property tax funds generated by the district’s referendum rate of as much as $500,000 per year once all the development is completed.

–Sarah Parks-Reese attended a similar session in Noblesville, and she says that city has plans to expand economic development into Wayne Township, which is part of the HSE School District.