An army of volunteers rolled-up their sleaves and went to work advocating for passage of a school funding referendum at Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, part of the Advance HSE Political Action Committee.  With no organized opposition, the operating referendum passed by a wide margin Tuesday, and is projected to provide $24 million per year for HSE Schools beginning in 2024 and will last for 8 years.

“Once again, our community has demonstrated the commitment that it has for our schools. Thank you for supporting this referendum,” said Dr. Matt Kegley, Interim Superintendent, in a written news release. “The engagement of our community stakeholders in shaping HSE’s future, the tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers in conveying the importance of the referendum and the voter approval for renewal, attests to the strong relationship we have with the residents of Fishers and neighboring Noblesville.”

In the news release issued after the vote counting was complete, HSE officials gave “thanks to Advance HSE led by PAC chairperson Laura Smoots, Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA), Mayor Scott Fadness and the Fishers City Council, Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, and the countless HSE staff, parents and community members who generously volunteered their time, efforts and financial resources to this cause.”

The final vote total was 15,751 Yes…..6,733 No.

With the “yes” vote on the referendum, HSE Schools will plan for staffing and programs in this school year and beyond. Since I moved to Fishers in 1991, HSE Schools have won every referendum placed before the voters.  That string continued in 2023.

(There was an error in the vote total in the story which has now been corrected)