I have been away from reviewing film and television entertainment the past few months, but trying to get back into the swing of it. There is nothing like a super-hyped film to get me back into reviewer mode.
So, here is my review of the Christopher Nolan film, Oppenheimer.
I recall some time ago receiving a question from a reader on plans for a pedestrian bridge over the White River. There have been lots of ideas bounced around, but this was news to me. The question came in about the same time the initial Fishers 2024 comprehensive plan was announced and, sure enough, that pedestrian bridge was listed as a long-term goal.
That long-term plan may be coming to fruition soon. At the July 12 Fishers City Council meeting, Delaware Township Trustee Debbie Driskell and Fishers City Engineering Director Jason Taylor laid out plans with Carmel and Clay Township for a $5 million bridge over the White River, which would land near the Ambassador House on the Fishers side, just north of the planned White River Park.
Driskell told council members the talks with Carmel and Clay Township have been ongoing for about a year-and-a-half. She said the bridge could provide one of the largest interconnected trail networks in the nation, with Carmel’s trail network connected to Fishers’ trails. Taylor sad the bridge could be completed by November of 2024.
“It’s a landmark deal,” Driskell told the council. “I don’t know of any other townships that have come together, along with their respective cities, to do such a project.”
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness also had high praise for this plan.
“I honestly think that a pedestrian bridge over the White River is really going to be extraordinary,” said Fadness. “We’ve never had anything like that in Fishers.”
Driskell also talked about two other projects the Delaware Township Board is working on, including connecting Lantern Road, along 131st Street, to the Nickel Plate Trail. The township is also planning a connection to the Nickel Plate Trail from the Delaware Township office on 131st Street.
In my July 16th post about the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools referendum, there was an effort on my part to express that there are many aspects and angles to explore when looking at an Indiana school district tax rate, or any local property tax rate.
Local governments have some control over the property tax rate rate for their unit of government, but even then there are strict rules state law prescribes on how that is handled. But there is another component many residents in the Fishers area have experienced lately – a higher property tax bill due to increasing valuation of property.
The HSE Schools have a property tax rate, including a .2275 operating referendum rate since 2017. in 2016, voters overwhelmingly approved the operating referendum rate.
When property values rise, property taxes rise. That happens even when the tax rate remains steady. That is prescribed in state law.
Indiana lawmakers did respond to complaints about property values leading to higher tax bills, but any relief will not be experienced until next year, based on what the General Assembly enacted in the 2023 session.
So, higher property values can lead to higher tax bills even when the local rate is unchanged.
It should be noted that if voters approve, the HSE operating referendum tax rate of .1995 would continue for 8 years, beginning in 2024, unless the school board chooses to lower the rate in a given year.
It should also be noted that we have been in a period lately where property values have been going up, largely due to the demand for housing in the area. There is no guarantee that property values will continue to rise in future years. Plus, Indiana lawmakers have the option of making changes to the property tax system anytime.
As I have written before, there are many aspects and angles to the property tax referendum vote coming in November. The issue of property values going up is just one more of those.
It was a lovefest of a political nature at the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) meeting Wednesday night. The HSE School Board was joined by the Fishers City Council, along with Mayor Scott Fadness.
Mayor Fadness stated firmly he is behind the referendum on the November ballot to fund HSE Schools for 8 years, beginning in 2024. The City Council unanimously voted to support a resolution urging taxpayers to approve the referendum.
I began receiving statements from incumbent members of the city council and candidates for the council, all voicing clear support for this referendum. It appeared that there was a bipartisan group forming to ask voters to support the local schools financially.
The only exception to this is one school board member. The board voted 6-0 to place the referendum on the ballot, with Tiffany Pascoe choosing to abstain. I only had a moment to speak with Ms. Pasco outside the meeting room Wednesday night, and her only comment referred to issues she appears to have with how budgets are done in the district.
But, with that one exception, the political world of Fishers appears to strongly back approval of the HSE referendum.
There has been a lot said and written about this referendum. It can be a mind-boggling experience to wrap your mind around all the numbers and details surrounding a school referendum vote in Indiana, but I will give it a try as it applies to this HSE referendum.
First, let’s read how the ballot measure will be worded for the November general election:
Shall Hamilton Southeastern Schools continue to impose increased property taxes paid to the school corporation by homeowners and businesses for eight (8) years immediately following the holding of the referendum for the purpose of funding academic and educationally related programs, maintaining class sizes, retaining and attracting of teachers, essential safety initiatives, and changing the previously approved maximum referendum tax rate from $0.2275 to $0.1995? The property tax increase requested in this referendum was originally approved by the voters in May, 2016 and if extended will increase the average property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a residence within the school corporation by 20.8% and if extended will increase the average property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a business property within the school corporation by 20.8%.
Some say the rate would actually decrease if this referendum passes, yet the word “increase” or “Increased” can be found all over this language. That is required by state law. The local school board had the ability to write only a small part of the language and the entire wording is subject to state approval in the end.
The reference to a tax increase means passage of the referendum rate would allow the HSE District to have a rate above what the corporation would have without a referendum. HSE Schools passed a referendum in 2016 of .2275. The rate the board is asking taxpayers to approve in the referendum is .1995, less than the previous referendum rate.
It should be noted that the state of Indiana provides support to local school districts on a per-student basis. There is a complex formula to determine the per-student support each school district receives from the state.
The school district with the lowest per-student funding from the state is Zionsville, with the second lowest being Carmel. Both Carmel and Zionsville have operating referendum funding in place. The third-lowest school district in state per-student support is HSE.
For example, Carmel-Clay Schools have an operating referendum rate of .2400, Noblesville’s referendum tax rate is .3700 and Westfield-Washington’s rate is .1700. Bottom line is this – suburban school districts need an operating referendum to properly fund local schools.
I have covered HSE Schools for about 12 years and generally found the district to be careful with its money. The central office staff is fairly small for the fourth-largest school system in the state (based on student enrollment). I have found every HSE Chief Financial Officer, including the current one, Katy Dowling, to be looking for ways to reasonably save money on a regular basis.
Ms. Dowling provided an example to the board Wednesday of a home in the HSE District valued at $319,500. Once all deductions and the property tax cap are considered, assuming the referendum passes, in 2024 the lower referendum rate would save that homeowner about $81, or less than $7 a month if the homeowner pays property taxes through a mortgage escrow system.
So, what would happen if voters choose to reject the referendum, in the fall general election? Ms. Dowling did cover that with the board Wednesday night.
The largest line item would require layoffs of teachers, saving $12.5 million and resulting in larger class sizes. There would be a “restructuring” of the employee health benefit plan amounting to $4 million. For the full listing, see the graphic at the end of this post.
There is much more that could be written, but this post is already long enough. Suffice to say that voters have a lot to consider before casting their ballots in the fall election.
A Political Action Committee, Advance HSE, has been formed to advocate a yes vote. It is not known whether there will be organized opposition to this referendum, but if so, we will be hearing from them as well.
I will be doing my best to cover this important referendum vote this fall, along with the very important city election.
Indiana’s largest newspaper, the Indianapolis Star, posted a story about Hamilton Southeastern Schools student handbook language on its Web site Friday and placed the same story on the front page of the Saturday print edition.
(NOTE: the reporter on that story was Rachel Fradette, based on the e-mail address at the end of the story. Many Star reporters are withholding their bylines as a protest about the lack of progress in the Star’s contract negotiations with the Guild, the union representing journalists. For the record, I support journalists in their quest for fair working conditions and a decent wage. You must be a Star subscriber to access this story, at this link.)
The piece refers to an earlier controversy over removal of language in the student handbook about microaggressions. It then goes into comments made by various board members Wednesday about handbook language on student cell phones, rest room policies and a possible dress code.
Student handbook language is a process that begins in January and involves parents, students, administrators and staff members. This group is often referred to as “stakeholders.” The idea is that any policy change needs the buy-in of parents and students. Administrators and teachers will be the ones to enforce any policy written into the handbook. That is why there has been so much public reaction to the proposals to change the handbook language just weeks before the start of another school year.
Another idea bounced around by the board and administrators would be a process to change language in January when the second semester of school begins. There was one proposal to place 2 school board members in the group of stakeholders considering handbook language changes.
During the public comment period Wednesday evening, most comments focused on keeping the language as it is, a product of the policy involving stakeholders. Carolyn Porzuczek, Hamilton Southeastern Education Association Vice president of Elementary, used strong language in her comments to the board, saying teachers in the district are “disheartened” by the board’s willingness to discuss the possibility of circumventing the long-established practice of having stakeholders review student handbook language before changes are made, before the school year begins. Porzuczek described that as “micromanagement” by the board and indicates “disrespect” for the teaching staff.
Here is what the Star story says and what I observed in covering all three meeting the school board conducted Wednesday. There were plenty of ideas expressed by board members, but no consensus was voiced. On a seven-member school board, it takes four votes to enact anything.
If you have strong feelings about these issues, you should contact your school board members. You can e-mail board members using this link. Just click the name below the photo of the board member to send the e-mail message.
The board is set to vote on the handbook for the coming school year at the July 26 meeting.
Watch for a closure at the Florida Road S-curve and several lane restriction expected in this week of road work in and around Fishers.
Here is the full listing of the work week starting Monday, June 17, 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 STREETA 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:
To learn more about the Clear Path Improvement Project and sign up to receive text and email updates, visit clearpath465.com I-465 & I-69Drivers 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 TRAILThe 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 place. These restrictions will eliminate left turn movements from 146th Street onto Allisonville Road and reopen to two through lanes on eastbound and westbound 146th Street. Sowers Dr., Wellington Ct., and Kensington Dr. will be closed at 146th Street during this phase. Increased utility relocation activity is expected along Allisonville Rd. south of 146th Street. Flaggers will be present when lane or shoulder restrictions are necessary.Construction crews will be working to complete the connection of Sowers Dr. to Allisonville Road. Saville Road will be closed at 146th Street for construction crews to construct the new frontage road and Saville Road access at 146th Street. Waterway MOT will be installed along the White River to allow crews to begin working on the White River bridges. The worksite speed limit will be 35 mph. Please exercise caution while driving through this construction zone.For additional project information, visit Hamilton County website 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.
Eastbound 106th Street is currently closed, just east of Cumberland Road for utility work. The estimated project completion date is Tuesday, August 15, 2023. The detour route will use Cumberland Road to 116th Street to Hoosier Road or Cumberland Road to 96th Street to Mollenkopf Road. View detour route here.
ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is currently taking place in the Bristols as part of the 2023 Resurfacing Project. After ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is completed, those areas will be restored with topsoil and seed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to water the seed for the seed to germinate. Prior to road resurfacing, residents will be notified via street signage for street parking restrictions.For additional project information and to view detailed exhibits, view the Capital Project Dashboard here. Beginning the week of July 17, shoulder work will be taking place on Cyntheanne Road between 96th Street and 104th Street. Lane restrictions will be in place.
As the 2023-2024 school year is to begin in August, the Hamilton Southeastern School Board has put its stamp of approval on the school calendar for the next school year, 2024-2025.
Assistant Superintendent Matt Kegley says this is the same calendar presented to the board previously, with one small change. There are two e-learning days that can be used anytime during the school year when needed.
The first day of school for students will be Wednesday, August 7, and the last day of classes for students is May 28.
View the calendar in your browser by using this link.
When Brooke Lawson left her position as Mental Health and School Counseling Coordinator for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools to take over a similar job at Carmel Schools, the question was, who will replace her?
The answer came at Wednesday night’s HSE School Board meeting when the new Mental Health and School Counseling Coordinator for HSE Schools, Molly Kirwan, was introduced to the board after her official hiring.
Kirwan comes to HSE Schools from the Community Health Network. Assistant Superintendent Matt Kegley introduced her to the board, saying she has worked with HSE Schools in the past as part of the mental health contract with Community Health.
Wednesday, July 12, was a busy day for the Hamilton Southeastern School Board, voting to place an operating property tax referendum on the November election ballot. But the board spent much more time that same day hashing out language within certain parts of the student handbook.
The challenge centers on no clear consensus about how to word some sections of the handbook. There were many thoughts expressed about changes to the dress code, cell phone usage and placement, as well as how to handle “running in the hallways.”
The public comments expressed were generally not supportive of changes in the handbook. Carolyn Porzuczek, Hamilton Southeastern Education Association Vice president of Elementary, told the board teachers in the district are “disheartened” by the board’s willingness to discuss the possibility of circumventing the long-established practice of having stakeholders, including parents, students, administrators and teachers, review student handbook language before changes are made, before the school year begins. At least two board members indicated Wednesday night a willingness to speed-up the process and implement handbook changes at the semester break in January. Porzuczek described that as “micromanagement” by the board and indicates “disrespect” for the teaching staff.
Most of the public comments were about possible changes in the dress code, with most comments suggesting no changes should be enacted.
At the end of the wide-ranging discussion about the student handbooks for the school year starting in August, Superintendent Yvonne Stokes told board members she and her staff will review all the board’s comments and have proposals ready for student handbook action by the July 26 regular board meeting.
Jason Taylor has worked for the City of Fishers, Indiana Department of Transportation and then back to Fishers as Director of Engineering in recent years. Mayor Scott Fadness announced at last night’s City Council meeting that Taylor will be leaving the city at the end of July, heading to a private sector position.
“Hard to put into words all the work he has done in the last couple of years for the city,” Fadness told Council members. “He’s worked with all of you on so many different projects and so many different residents issues, really has just done an extraordinary job…I’m going to miss him.”
The mayor made that announcement during a discussion of a joint project with Fishers, Delaware Township, Clay Township and the City of Carmel to construct a pedestrian bridge over the White River that will land on the east side near the Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens, the site of a city park. Delaware Township Trustee Debbie Driskell has been working on this project with Jason Taylor for some time. It is expected that the bridge will be completed by the end of 2025.