Russell Dickerson has a number of hit recordings on the country music charts, and he is taking his national tour to the Fishers Amhpitheater  Sunday, September 10.  Tickets go on sale August 4th and go for $45 for the standing pit, $25 lawn tickets and $20 for groups of 4 or more, all pre-sale.  The day of the event, lawn tickets will go for $30 each.  Children 2 years of age and under are free.

Special guest David Rickets will join the show.  Once ticket sales begin, use this link to buy them.

The city news release announcing the appearance says Dickerson “is a Tennessee native country music artist that made a name for himself with his first studio album, Yours, back in 2017, including his first big single of the same name. Determined to get his music on the road, Russell Dickerson began playing for any audience he could find, no matter how big, leading to him becoming the first artist to release four consecutive career-starting singles that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart since Luke Combs, placing himself along some of the best of the best.”

Just a few months into producing my local podcasts, I interviewed Tom Dickey, formerly Community Development Director for the Town and later the City of Fishers, in the summer of 2016.  We discussed a number of topics when the origins of Launch Fishers came up.

The city was on the lookout for a place to get Launch Fishers started.  At first a small house just off 116th Street looked like the only option.  That was only enough space for 2-3 co-working firms to fit.

Then the city looked to the Hamilton East Library in downtown Fishers.  The building was built in 1993 but the lower floor had not been utilized yet.  As Tom Dickey explains it, Edra Waterman, whom he described as a “forward thinking library director,” offered some library space.  It was much larger than the small house under consideration and allowed Launch to grow quickly.  Launch Fishers has since moved into a larger building and the library is utilizing that lower level for the Ignite operations, which is very popular.  I have used it many times.

It was Library Director Edra Waterman that allowed Launch Fishers to grow quickly in the early years because that library space was offered.

My first exposure to the Hamilton East Library was when I moved to Fishers in 1991.  There was no Fishers branch at that time but I made several Noblesville trips to take advantage of the library.  Once the Fishers building was open, my wife Jane, and our two daughters, made use of the library regularly.  We all consider the library a major community asset.

I do not believe I am the only one concerned about the current state of controversy for the Hamilton East Library.   I have covered a couple of library board meetings lately and have seen a level of conflict between the board and many in the community that has risen in recent months.

I am not here to take sides, but I will say this – it is troubling to see this amazing community asset – the Hamilton East Library, serving Noblesville and Fishers – in such turmoil. This is not a good thing for those of us living here and is not the kind of publicity Fishers needs.

I fear it may be too late for this, but is there any way to bridge the gaps?  There is clearly conflict between the library board and a segment of our local community.  I would hope everyone would take a deep breath, think about how this is impacting our community, then find a way to lower the temperature.

If everyone continues this constant back-and-forth, I do not foresee a good ending to this.

I won’t get into the issues of the debate in this piece.  My only hope is that cooler heads will prevail and we can preserve the tremendous public asset, the Hamilton East Library.  It is all up to us now.

it is no secret employers in the area are struggling to find workers, and the local school district is no exception.  With students reporting to classes Wednesday, August 9th, administrators are working to fill as many open positions as possible.

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools will host an event, inviting residents of the area to look at the many job opportunities available.  The “Get Hired” event is set for Tuesday, August 1st, 3-6pm, at the HSE School Administration Building, 13485 Cumberland Road.

The HSE Schools Foundation will offer a drawing to those in attendance, with a back-to-school shopping gift certificate to the winner.

Once again, lots of road projects in and around Fishers.  Take special note of the resurfacing on Fall Creek Road, at the bottom of this post.

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

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To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com. 

STATE ROAD 37 AND 141ST STREET
A pre-construction phase at SR 37 & 141st Street is currently in place. During this phase, 141st Street will be a Right-In-Right-Out (RIRO) traffic configuration. 
This is not the permanent configuration. This will allow for traffic to flow more freely along SR 37 until the next phases of construction can be activated. This will eliminate backups along SR 37 that have caused dangerous stops to the free flow traffic and backups on the 146th Street interchange. Again, this is not the permanent configuration for 141st Street. The full timeline for the 141st Street interchange will be provided after project bids are accepted in the Spring 2024. View detour routes here. 

View how to merge safely onto Northbound SR 37 from 141st Street here and onto Southbound SR 37 from 141st Street here. To navigate the merge, remember:

• Use the accel lane to gain speed, not stop
• Use your mirrors and pay attention
• Look for a gap in SR 37 traffic and safely merge

To learn more about the Clear Path Improvement Project and sign up to receive text and email updates, visit clearpath465.com 

I-465 & I-69
Drivers will see an increase in construction along the I-69 corridor in the coming months. This work will focus on reconfiguring the interchange at I-465 and I-69. New ramps will provide direct movements from eastbound I-465 and northbound I-465 to northbound I-69. Binford Blvd. will also be reconstructed to separate local traffic from traffic entering and exiting I-69 and I-465. Access to I-69 from Binford Blvd. will remain open. 

The ramp from I-69 North to 82nd Street and the ramp from 82nd Street to I-69 North is currently closed through late 2023. For detour routes and additional project information, visit clearpath465.com 

To learn more about the Nickel Plate Trail, view the Capital Project Dashboard here.

NICKEL PLATE TRAIL
The City of Fishers is working on the completion of the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail between Hague Road and 106th Street. The installation of pedestrian rail is currently taking place and pedestrian flashers are not operative at this time.

There are daily lane closures currently on Cumberland Road, just south of 126th Street for sanitary and water line work. The northbound right turn lane and the southbound passing blister will be closed.

Phase 2A traffic restrictions are currently in effect. These restrictions eliminate left turn movements from 146th Street onto Allisonville Road and reopen to two through lanes on eastbound and westbound 146th Street. 

Please be advised, beginning on or after Tuesday, July 25 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., 146th Street between Herriman Blvd. and Allisonville Road within the existing construction limits, will be under a lane restriction for the installation of a barrier wall and centerline delineator repairs.  

Please use extreme caution while driving through this construction zone. Flaggers will be present when lane or shoulder restrictions are necessary. 

For additional project information, visit the 146th St. & Allisonville Rd. Project Page here.

There is a sanitary sewer project currently taking place at Metro Airport at 106th Street & Allisonville Road. There are times where lane restrictions may be in place on Allisonville Road. Please use caution in this area.

The following message was sent by Hamilton County Emergency Management:

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If your conception of a library board meeting is one of a group of bookworms conducting the session in an orderly manner, that would not describe the end of the Hamilton East Library Board meeting held at the Fishers Library Thursday afternoon.  One attendee, who had just spoken during the public comment period, was ordered removed from the meeting room by Board President Laura Alerding for what she described as disruptions.

The man Alerding ordered removed refused police requests to leave the room and was taken away by officers.  As the man was being taken away, the audience began to grow loud in protest.  Alerding spoke with legal counsel, then ordered the meeting adjourned before public comments were completed.  The public comments were the final item on the agenda.

Before all this happened, there was another pointed discussion between board member Ray Maddalone and Library Director Edra Waterman.  Maddalone complained about the pace of reviewing books to determine whether they belong in the teen or adult collection.  Maddalone said the 3% progress is not fast enough.  Waterman responded that the library staff and extra reviewers hired for this project are doing this project as quickly as possible and she is constantly looking for ways to speed the process.

Maddalone suggested library staff members be offered $5 each to review books when not busy, and Waterman asserted her staff does not have that kind of down time to do this.

There was also a discussion of the Human Library event held July 15 that drew a large crowd, with book authors verbally talking with local people to exchange ideas, exposing people to situations unlike their own.

Board member Micah Beckwith, joining the meeting virtually, wanted to know if the Human Library was promoting prostitution.  Waterman assured him it was not.  Board Vice President Michelle Payne said the human Library does feature authors that have experienced being sex workers against their will, but in no way promoted prostitution.

Payne then asked why the board meetings were moved from 6:15pm to 3:15pm.  Alerding said one board member had a conflict, and indicated there would be a lower chance of disruptions at a 3:15pm meeting.

Earlier in the meeting, Mike Reuter reviewed the income projections for Hamilton East Library System (with libraries in Fishers and Noblesville).  He says the 2024 budget outlook is good, but if the General Assembly keeps the rules as they are, there could be lower income in the following two years.  But he added the Hamilton East Library is in a strong cash position to weather that possible storm.

Several members of the meeting audience brandished signs in support of Library Director Edra Waterman.  This is in response to rumors Ms. Waterman’s job could be in jeopardy.  There was no discussion about that during the Thursday meeting.

(NOTE: as of 8:30am Friday I am turning off comments for this post)

A change in state law will not change the relationship between the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools administration and the HSE Education Association (the teachers representative).  Superintendent Yvonne Stokes says with the change in law that says schools districts now have the option of discussions with the local teacher unions, HSE Schools will continue its policy of discussions with HSEA, with no change.

“We, as a district, believe in the importance of hearing the voice of our teachers,” Stokes says.  “While the option is a ‘may,’ we plan to have discussions.”

Stokes also offered a reminder of the Before The Bell celebration marking the start of a new school year.  This is the second year for this event, and will be held once again at the downtown Fishers Amphitheater, Thursday, August 3rd, 5:30-7:30PM.  The first day of school in the HSE District for students is Wednesday, August 9th.

At Wednesday night’s school board meeting, Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools hired three new assistant principals.

Michael Perry is hired at Harrison Parkway Elementary, replacing Rebekah Landez.

Kayla Rego will take over as assistant principal at Thorpe Creek Elementary, replacing Jana Allen.

Allison Rogowski is taking over the assistant principal spot at Fishers Elementary, replacing Quentin Hunter.

In another action, the board approved hiring Tim Mankin as interim principal at Fall Creek Junior High School.  Mankin has been retired from HSE Schools and fills in after Stacy Swan resigned from the principal post.  Mankin’s appointment is not to exceed 12 weeks.

The Indiana General Assembly passed legislation essentially eliminating most book and other fees for students and parents.  When that happened, local school districts wanted to know whether the state would pick up the tab on the extra expense at the local level.  The answer was, sort of.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School board was briefed by staff Wednesday night on that situation, and discovered a deficit of just under $1 million.  The student fees invoiced in the 2022-2023 school year totaled roughly $4.1 million, with estimated fee reimbursement from the state to be about $3.2 million in the coming school year, leaving a local deficit of a bit below $1 million.  The student fee amount is from the previous school year and the amount of state support is estimated, so the actual numbers are not known at this time.

The official student count will impact the state fee reimbursement, with the state paying $151.88 per student.  The official student count is submitted to the state in October.

School districts may charge families for some fees under the state guidance, including  Field trips, Preschool materials, Lost or significantly damaged materials, Dual Enrollment course materials and Dual Credit and Advanced Placement (AP) testing fees.

There will be changes to the student handbook for the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District, following a vote by the school board Wednesday.  The board voted 5-2 in favor of changes to the handbook, particularly the dress code and wearing hats & hoodies in school.  Board members Sarah Donsbach and Sarah Parks-Reese voted no.

There has been discussion not just about the language in the proposed handbook changes, but also the process used.  In the past, a committee of “stakeholders,” comprised of staff, parents and students, recommended changes in the student handbook months before the start of the school year.  These changes were proposed by board members outside that process.

Carolyn Porzuczek, Elementary Schools Vice President for the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, urged board members to “value” the process for parents, staff and students to evaluate changes in the handbook language, a system that normally begins in January for the next school year.  She voiced concerns about a changing dress code that would require teachers to have intimate conversations with students about their clothing, saying it “further erodes the trust” teachers have in their role as decision-makers.

Nataki Pettigrew, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer for HSE Schools, expressed concerns from district administrators, teachers, parents and students about the new policy on hoodies and hats, saying none of the stakeholders expressed concerns over the current policy, which allows teachers the autonomy to deal with the issue.

“We have experienced an entire year allowing students to wear hats and hoods without any disruption to the learning environment,” Pettigrew told board members.  “Going back on this policy sends a confusing message to our students and our staff and will be a very difficult sell.”

Below is the student handbook language approved by the board Wednesday:

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For Student Dress in the Handbook for grade levels 5 – 12, the bolded language will be added:

oHamilton Southeastern Schools students are expected to maintain an appearance that is appropriate for school and conducive to the educational atmosphere. The appearance and dress of any student is the primary responsibility of both the student and the parent/guardian. HSE students are expected to maintain an appearance that is appropriate for school and conducive to the educational atmosphere. Whenever a school official considers a student’s appearance to be inappropriate for the educational environment, a conference will be held, and the student will be asked to make a modification.

oThe following are examples of clothing or items that are considered to be inappropriate or needing additional clarity:

▪Clothing and/or any adornment displaying messages or images not appropriate for school. Examples would be messages containing profanity; sexual innuendo; references to drugs, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or violence; or messages that incite hate towards other students or student groups.

▪Clothing that is designed to reveal buttocks, torso (the body apart from the head, neck, arms, and legs), midsection of the body, undergarments, or the lack of undergarments.

▪Heavy and/or long coats

▪Strapless tops or spaghetti-straps

▪Hats or hoodies: Hoods will be in the down position and hats will be off unless given permission by a staff member for that instructional period.

▪Any item that might cause a concern for student safety.

▪Blankets and pillows

▪Students are not permitted to carry signs, flags, or non-educational items that the school can reasonably forecast will substantially or materially disrupt the school environment.

oStudents who violate the dress code may face disciplinary action.

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The board will consider changes to the 2024-2025 student handbook in the areas of rest room conduct, weapons language, discipline and dress code.

Board member Tiffany Pascoe says she wants a discussion about school uniforms after the referendum vote later this year.

To access more details on the student handbook changes, use this link.