The standoff between Hamilton Southeastern Schools and its teachers escalated Friday as the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) urged educators to begin a “work-to-rule” action in response to stalled contract negotiations.

The move comes after teachers overwhelmingly rejected what the district described as its final contract offer, with 86% voting against the proposal. The district has argued it faces budget constraints, while union leaders maintain the school system has sufficient cash reserves to provide fair compensation.

In a message posted to teachers and shared publicly, HSEA President Tyler Zerbe said the union’s members have reached a breaking point.

“We navigated not ratifying our contract for the first time in HSE history,” Zerbe wrote. “We refused to stand down, even in the face of adversity and divisiveness.”

Work-to-rule means teachers will perform only duties specifically required in their contracts — a shift that could result in staff no longer answering emails outside school hours, grading or planning lessons after the school day, or volunteering for extra responsibilities.

“If it requires us to show up outside [contract hours], we don’t,” Zerbe said. “It is high-time for everyone to know this one, incontrovertible fact: our classrooms, these buildings, this district, do not run without us.”

Zerbe emphasized that teachers will continue to teach and support students in their classrooms, but said they will no longer put in the unpaid time that often fills evenings, early mornings, and weekends.

“Staff will continue to deliver high-quality instruction to students, as they always have,” Zerbe said. “But, as the old saying goes: enough is enough.”

The dispute marks a sour turn in what has historically been a cooperative labor-management relationship in one of the state’s largest and highest-performing school districts. This is the first time HSE teachers have rejected a contract agreement.

Tensions have risen in recent months as bargaining intensified, with union leaders publicly challenging district financial claims and warning that the proposed contract would amount to a pay cut once inflation and insurance costs are factored in.

In earlier statements, administrators said the district is “operating under significant financial limitations” due to state funding levels and rising expenses.

Zerbe framed the action as a reluctant but necessary step to demonstrate the value teachers bring to classrooms and to the Fishers community.

“We are asking you to reclaim your time and value,” he told teachers. “We are reaffirming the one truth that we have said over and over again: teachers are the backbone of HSE.”

The district and union remain at odds as bargaining continues. It is unclear how long the work-to-rule effort will last.

Hamilton County officials will break ground next week on a new Public Safety Training Center designed to bring police, fire, and emergency personnel together for joint training exercises.

The ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. The 96-acre site is located near East 160th Street and River Road in Noblesville, just south of Beaver Materials along the White River.

County leaders say the shared campus will improve coordination among responders across Hamilton County communities, including Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, and county agencies.

“This is one of the most important public safety investments our county has ever made,” County Commissioners President Steve Dillinger said in the announcement. “As Hamilton County continues to grow, so does the need for well-trained, well-equipped first responders. This facility will allow them to train together, strengthen coordination, and ensure they’re ready for whatever emergency situations may arise.”

Plans call for roughly 20,000 square feet of classroom and indoor training space, a five-story fire training burn tower, multiple shooting ranges, SWAT and tactical training areas, and designated space for the county’s Emergency Management Agency. The project also includes environmental cleanup and redevelopment of the property.

Jim Barlow, the county’s new training center coordinator and former Carmel police chief, said the campus will raise the bar for first-responder readiness.

“This will be one of the best facilities in the Midwest—if not in the country,” Barlow said. “We react the way we train. This center will give our first responders the tools and space they need to serve our residents even better.”

The project is set to take about 18 months to complete once construction begins. Media attending Monday’s groundbreaking are asked to park near the pole barn on site.

The Indy Fuel earned their first victory of the 2025–26 season Thursday night, grinding out a 2–1 road win over the Cincinnati Cyclones in a physical, penalty-filled matchup at Heritage Bank Center.

Both teams spent much of the opening period feeling each other out, and scoring chances were limited. The Fuel were forced to kill off an early penalty when Kevin Lombardi was called for interference at the 6:30 mark, but the Indy penalty killers stood tall. Cincinnati found momentum late in the frame, firing seven unanswered shots to close the period with a 9–3 advantage, yet Indy goaltender Owen Flores kept the game scoreless after one.

The second period brought a noticeable shift in intensity — and the scoreboard. Tempers sparked less than two minutes in after Flores made a save in traffic, but no penalties were called. Soon after, Cincinnati’s Marko Sikic went off for slashing, giving Indy a power play they couldn’t convert.

Momentum finally swung in the Fuel’s favor midway through the period. Brett Moravec broke the deadlock at 9:23, finishing a partial breakaway for a 1–0 lead with assists from Jacob LeGuerrier — playing in his first pro game in two years — and Dylan McLaughlin. LeGuerrier made his return even more memorable moments later, burying a backhand shot at 12:43 to stretch Indy’s lead to 2–0.

Physical play continued to escalate as tensions boiled over multiple times. Jesse Tucker and Rhett Parsons dropped the gloves at 14:35 for the game’s first fight, each earning five-minute majors. As the second period ended, another scrap broke out between Indy’s Christian Berger and Cincinnati’s Nick Rhéaume, who also received an extra two minutes for instigating. Berger and Rhéaume served their penalties to open the third.

Cincinnati pushed hard in the final frame, but Indy’s defense and penalty kill remained sharp. Chris Cameron picked up his first penalty of the season at 4:56, but the Fuel again killed it off. Indy had a chance to ice the game midway through the period on a Cyclones slashing minor, but failed to extend the lead.

The Cyclones appeared to get on the board at 17:26, but the goal was wiped out due to a holding-the-stick call. With time running out, Cincinnati pulled goaltender Talyn Boyko while shorthanded to skate 5-on-5, and the gamble paid off. John Jaworski scored at 18:42 to cut the Fuel lead to 2–1, injecting late drama into the contest.

Indy weathered the final push, and after offsetting roughing minors with 13 seconds left, held firm to secure the win.

The Fuel now head to Toledo for a match Saturday night with the Walleye and a road date with the Kalamazoo Wings the next day.  The Fuel return home Wednesday, November 5, for a game with the Bloomington Bison.  The Fuel are 1-2 in this young season.

A Hamilton Southeastern High School student has earned national recognition at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

Ellie Julia Taylor, a member of the Hamilton Southeastern FFA chapter, was named the national winner in the Agricultural Communications – Entrepreneurship/Placement category of the 2025 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards. The honor was announced during the convention’s second general session on Thursday, Oct. 30.

The National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards recognize student members who develop specialized skills through their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), preparing them for agricultural careers. Students compete in 45 award areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management.

Taylor received the top national honor in her category for her work managing her FFA chapter’s social media accounts, website and print materials. Through this role, she has built communication and marketing skills she plans to apply in a career in agricultural communications.

She was supported in her work by her parents, Bill and Tabetha Taylor, and Hamilton Southeastern FFA advisors Caroline Mills, Tom Younts and Cindy Nunez.

Seven proficiency award winners were named during Thursday’s session, with additional winners announced throughout the convention. The National FFA Convention, one of the largest student gatherings in the nation, continues this week in Indianapolis.

The Nickel Plate Review Committee has delayed a vote on design plans for townhomes proposed in the Maple Del development, located just south of 116th Street near Holland Drive. Only three of the five committee members were present at the Wednesday evening meeting, and the trio voted unanimously to postpone the decision until next Thursday.

Committee member and former Fishers City Councilor Rich Block raised concerns about how the development would appear from 116th Street, calling the corridor a key gateway in the city. Block said Fishers has “missed the mark” on previous development along that stretch and indicated he would vote against the proposal in its current form.

The developer agreed to revisit the elevation changes and other design adjustments requested by the committee but expressed concern that the modifications could increase home prices. Currently, the townhomes are expected to be priced between $550,000 and $800,000.

In other business, the committee elected officers for 2025. Amanda Welu will serve as chair, with Jamie Nieves selected as vice chair.

The Nickel Plate Review Committee is responsible for reviewing projects and approving waivers from the Nickel Plate District Code, which sets development standards in the downtown area Fishers district.

The Mike Braun administration’s move to summon the Indiana General Assembly into a special session on Nov. 3 to redraw the state’s congressional districts drew sharp criticism  from the Hamilton County Democratic Party.

In a statement, Josh Lowry, Chair of the Hamilton County Democrats, charged the governor’s action as “a partisan and costly attempt to manipulate Indiana’s elections under pressure from the Trump administration.” He called the session “about Braun’s loyalty to Trump” rather than helping Hoosiers.

Lowry pointed out that even two local Republican state representatives – Hunter Smith and Danny Lopez – have voiced opposition to the redistricting plan, and urged them not to “cave under the pressure.” He added, “Hoosiers’ lives are more important than appeasing Washington.”

The session would come as thousands of Hoosiers relying on SNAP benefits face delays in assistance for November. Meanwhile, J.D. Ford (D–Indianapolis) underscored ethical concerns around the move: “If President Donald Trump is pressuring lawmakers directly, we cannot ignore a blatant conflict of interest when it comes to making decisions on future congressional maps.” Ford called for formation of an independent redistricting commission if there were genuine problems with the current maps.

Governor Braun issued the call for the special session following weeks of pressure from national Republican leaders, as Indiana remains a key state in the battle over congressional control ahead of 2026.

However, legislative leadership now says the Nov. 3 date may not hold. Todd Huston, Speaker of the Indiana House, confirmed that lawmakers and Senate counterparts are working on logistics and will not convene on Nov. 3 as originally called.

As the debate unfolds, the Hamilton County Democrats are calling the redistricting session “a power grab,” while Republicans say the move is about ensuring Indiana’s congressional representation is “fair.” The coming weeks will reveal how the process moves forward, when lawmakers convene, and whether they will rally behind new map proposals.

Plans for a special session of the Indiana General Assembly will not move forward on November 3, despite that date being previously announced by Governor Mike Braun.

House Speaker Todd Huston, who represents part of Fishers, issued a statement Wednesday confirming that legislative leaders are still finalizing the schedule.

“House Republicans are working on scheduling and have been in communication with our colleagues in the Senate about the logistics of convening the General Assembly following the Governor’s call for a special session,” Huston said.

According to Huston, state law allows the General Assembly up to 40 days to complete its work once a special session begins. “Given the calendar and member availability, we will not be convening on Nov. 3 but are working within this general time frame as we consider the schedule,” he added.

Huston cited the 2022 special session as an example, when lawmakers were called into session on July 6, convened on July 25, and adjourned on August 5.

He also noted that the legislature is already required by statute to return to the Statehouse on Tuesday, November 18, for Organization Day — the ceremonial start of the 2026 regular session.

“As always, our goal is to accomplish our work in a way that is most efficient and cost effective for Hoosier taxpayers,” Huston said. “Our plan is to have a legislative schedule out as soon as possible.”

Governor Braun announced earlier this week that he would call a special session for November 3 to address changes to Indiana’s congressional district maps. However, it now appears lawmakers will gather later in November or December to take up that work.

The setting was a meeting room inside the newly constructed Fishers Community Center, where Mayor Scott Fadness met Wednesday morning with members of the local faith community — part of his commitment to address faith leaders at least once a year.

Fadness opened with some reflection, noting that his tone at last year’s gathering had been more somber, shaped by the intense political divisions surrounding the national election. This year, his outlook was notably different.

“My personal opinion right now is that Fishers is in a pretty good place,” Fadness said. “Those national narratives are still absolutely out there, but I don’t see them dominating our local conversations.”

The mayor shared how his daily routine at City Hall contrasts with his evenings at his sons’ sporting events, where parents on the sidelines seem less concerned with national political debates.

“People are busy with their lives,” Fadness said. “Sometimes, the best thing the city can do is provide services and stay out of their way.”

Fishers’ estimated population now stands at about 107,000, and Fadness expects that number to grow to between 130,000 and 140,000 as the city reaches full build-out. He said Fishers continues to add 300–600 new homes each year, along with several new multi-family developments in the works.

Demographic shifts are also reshaping the community, the mayor noted. The incoming kindergarten class in Hamilton Southeastern Schools is roughly 500 students smaller than the graduating senior class — an indication that many parents are choosing to remain in Fishers even after their children leave home.

On the commercial side, Fadness highlighted continued growth in life sciences and advanced industries. He pointed to the facility near 96th Street that now serves as the headquarters for the Cadillac Formula One team — the only American team in that international racing series.

He also shared a more personal example of Fishers’ global connections: an email from a couple living in Hong Kong who plan to move to Fishers to open a restaurant with an international flair.

During the event, Jake Reardon McSoley, the city’s Director of Recreation and Wellness, provided an update on the new Community Center. He said the city has already received about 9,000 requests for passes to access free areas of the facility, including the indoor playground and walking track.

Although I was unable to stay for the entire event and missed the discussion between the mayor and faith leaders, Fadness offered an intriguing observation about what he’s seeing in local congregations.

He said younger generations are seeking meaning and authenticity — and he’s encouraged to see many of them finding both within Fishers’ faith communities.

The planned roundabout at 131st Street and Brooks School Road will now feature two lanes instead of one.

In April, the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety approved a contract with American Structurepoint to design a single-lane roundabout at that intersection. However, during the design phase, city engineers determined that a larger, partial two-lane roundabout would better accommodate future traffic needs.

Engineering Director Hatem Mekky told the board that expanding Brooks School Road to additional lanes could be considered in the future. Construction on the roundabout is currently scheduled for 2026.

The board also approved several other items during its latest meeting:

• Sewer Agreement: The City of Fishers reached an agreement with the Townhomes at Fishers Pointe Homeowners Association. The HOA will transfer a portion of its private sewer and grant an easement where the sewer extends beyond the existing easement line. This connection will provide sanitary sewer access for the upcoming Maple Del development, planned for 116th Street and Maple Drive, just west of the Nickel Plate District.

• King Jugg Patio Project: The popular Lantern Road establishment received approval for a temporary right-of-way to allow construction of an outdoor dining area.

• Billericay Park Solar Panels: A change order was approved to add solar panels to the Billericay Park building. The project had been delayed due to a wait for federal Department of Energy vouchers but is now underway.

• Snow Removal Contract: WR Logistics was awarded the snow removal contract for the new Fishers Event Center this winter. The base bid is $113,544, though costs may vary depending on weather conditions. The contract allows the city’s Department of Public Works to focus on other areas during snow events.