After weeks of discussion, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board has approved the district’s 2026 spending plan totaling more than $340 million.

The district’s share of the property tax rate will rise slightly to 1.1476, up from 1.1433 in 2025. HSE Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown told board members the small increase is due to changes in assessed property valuations.

State funding for local school districts is based on enrollment, and HSE saw a decline of 409 students this school year. The district reported an enrollment of 20,289 students to the state this month, compared to 20,698 a year ago.

As part of the new budget, HSE will replace 15 school buses out of its 320-vehicle fleet at a cost of $3 million, financed through general obligation bonds.

Brown also outlined details of a tentative agreement with the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, the local teachers union. The proposed contract includes no base salary increases, but the district will make a one-time contribution to teachers’ Health Savings Accounts to help offset significant health insurance premium increases.

The agreement also revises the district’s leave policy. Previously, teachers received seven sick days and seven paid time off (PTO) days annually. Under the new arrangement, that will be consolidated into 14 PTO days per year.

The presentation on the tentative teacher contract can be viewed at this link.

In other business, the board received an update on the ongoing redistricting process. Consultant Andrew Bishop of Woolpert told members that a final redistricting map recommendation will be presented at the November 12 board meeting, with a final vote expected in December.

Bishop noted that an early proposal to repurpose one elementary school into a preschool was removed from consideration following negative community feedback.

The district and Woolpert hosted two community meetings this week to present three sets of proposed maps and gather public input. Residents can continue to submit comments online through November 6.

The Fishers Police Department conducted a targeted traffic enforcement blitz along and around Olio Road on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in 120 traffic stops over a four-hour period.

According to a social media post from the department, 15 officers participated in the operation, which ran from noon to 4 p.m. The highest recorded speed during the blitz was 25 miles per hour over the posted limit.

Police said the purpose of the effort was to promote road safety and engage with the community. Officers reported several positive conversations with drivers about safe driving practices.

“The good news is that many drivers were already following the posted speed limits,” the department said in its post. “Every stop is an opportunity to prevent crashes and protect our community.”

Fishers Police encouraged all motorists to continue driving responsibly, emphasizing that “slower speeds equal safer streets.”

The department thanked drivers who set a positive example by obeying traffic laws and contributing to safer roads in the city.

Hallett Sports & Entertainment announced Wednesday that President Larry McQueary will step down from his position effective October 31. McQueary, who has led the organization for the past 11 years, is leaving to pursue new opportunities outside the company.

“We thank Larry for his contributions and leadership during his time at Hallett Sports,” said CEO Sean Hallett. “He has played a pivotal role in growing the business to where it is today.”

McQueary expressed appreciation for his time with the organization, which oversees the Indy Fuel hockey team and the Fishers Freight indoor football team.

“It has been a privilege and honor to serve the community in this capacity over the past eleven years,” McQueary said. “I’m very proud of the tremendous growth the organization experienced during my tenure while working alongside our many talented staff members.”

Beginning November 1, Sean Hallett will assume the role of Team President for both the Indy Fuel and Fishers Freight. The company stated it remains committed to operational excellence, organizational growth, and advancing professional sports in Central Indiana.

Scott Fadness has always said a regional approach is the only way to develop.  His view is this – if an employer is looking to locate, it must first be sold on the region before selecting the specific site of any new operation.

An entity aimed at developing central Indiana is CIRDA – the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority – an organization supported by Mayor Fadness and is getting the support of cities and towns throughout this part of the state.

I sat down with Mayor Fadness and the Executive Director of CIRDA, Jennifer Messer, for a podcast discussion.  Listen to that podcast at the link below.

A new Little Free Courthouse Library has been added to the jury assembly room on the second floor of the Hamilton County Judicial Center, giving courthouse visitors a new way to pass the time while waiting for court proceedings.

Court of Appeals Judge Paul Felix and Hamilton County Court Administrator Jill Acklin stocked the shelves on Friday, October 17, with books donated by the Indiana Court of Appeals. The donation is part of a statewide effort to place free book collections in courthouses across Indiana, providing reading materials for children, teens, and adults.

“By donating books, we hope to make the courthouse a little less scary, and a bit more inviting,” Judge Felix said. “If the books can mitigate a little bit of the anxiety surrounding a child’s or their parent’s attendance at the courthouse, this endeavor will be well worth it.”

Visitors are invited to read the books while waiting or take one home. Organizers hope the collection will continue to grow as others contribute additional titles.

“We welcome anyone to stop by our Little Free Courthouse Library,” Acklin said. “There is truly something for everyone on our shelves, and we look forward to seeing the collection continue to expand and serve anyone in the building.”

After five years and five different locations, the Fishers Health Department finally has a permanent home inside the new Fishers Community Center. Public Health Director Monica Heltz said she and her staff are thrilled to have a long-term base of operations.

The new facility will house the department’s administrative offices and offer a range of public health services, including immunizations. Heltz noted that as of 3 p.m. Tuesday—shortly after the ribbon-cutting ceremony was underway—her department was already providing immunizations and other services at the new location.

Mayor Scott Fadness established the Fishers Health Department in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on its progress, he described the effort as “quite a journey” and said the city has worked to “redefine what public health looks like.”

Fadness also explained that revenue from services provided by the Health Department helped finance the department’s new facility.

“Part of our passion really is to bring public health to the people,” Fadness said. “I can think of no better place than here.”

While the Fishers Community Center officially opens to the public on November 1, the Health Department—located near the building’s main entrance—is already open for business.

Public Health Director Monica Heltz opens the event

Debbie Driskell (left) and Beth Myers

The Delaware Township Trustee’s Office is encouraging residents to give back this Halloween season through a “Trick or Eat” promotion during the annual Boo Bash celebration in Fishers on Saturday, October 25.

Boo Bash is one of Fishers’ largest community events, and Trustee Debbie Driskell is asking visitors to bring nonperishable food donations to help local families in need.

“People are often in the giving mode around certain holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Driskell said. “We hope this event helps remind everyone that the need exists year-round.”

Deputy Township Trustee Beth Myers, who oversees the township’s food pantry, said food insecurity has been rising in the area. Since she began her role six years ago, demand for assistance has doubled.

Myers attributes part of that increase to population growth, but said skyrocketing rental costs have been a major factor. Many families are paying 50% of their income toward rent. It’s generally recommended that no more than 30% go to housing, but the Trustee’s office is even seeing some seniors spending 80% of their fixed incomes on rent.

The “Trick or Eat” effort at Boo Bash will benefit five local food pantries serving Fishers-area residents. Donors are encouraged to bring any nonperishable items, such as pasta, pasta sauce, or canned goods.

Driskell said the initiative not only raises awareness about local need but also reminds families that help is available.

“Whenever our pantry runs low, this community always responds when we put out the call,” Driskell said. “This is an incredible community. I think our poverty stays very hidden.”

She also noted that all food distributed through the township pantry comes from donations by individuals, businesses, and local organizations — no tax dollars are used to purchase food.

The Rotary Club of Fishers has announced that Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness will serve as Honorary Chair for the 15th Annual WaterIsLife Charity Ball, set for Friday, December 6, 2025. The black-tie event will take place at a new holiday venue inside the Fishers Arts & Municipal Complex.

Presented by the Rotary Club of Fishers, the WaterIsLife Charity Ball has become one of the city’s premier holiday traditions, drawing community leaders, philanthropists, and residents together to support clean water initiatives in Sierra Leone.

This year’s event celebrates a major milestone for the WaterIsLife project, which has funded more than 200 clean water wells—providing access to safe water for over 500,000 people.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mayor Fadness as our Honorary Chair,” said Tom Branum, Chair of the WaterIsLife Project. “His leadership and commitment to community make him the perfect ambassador for this life-changing cause.”

The evening will begin with the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and holiday lights, followed by a formal dinner and entertainment. The program includes a gourmet three-course meal, live and silent auctions featuring exclusive items, holiday music, and dancing.

Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets early and explore sponsorship opportunities, which include VIP seating, special recognition, and a private reception with Mayor Fadness.

The Rotary Club of Fishers, part of a global network of more than 1.2 million Rotarians, continues to support both local and international causes—from clean water projects in West Africa to mental health and accessibility programs in Fishers.

“Whether it’s your first time attending or your fifteenth, your presence at the WaterIsLife Charity Ball brings hope to others,” said Rich Phelan, the club’s 34th president. “Together, we can continue this life-saving work—one well, one village, one family at a time.”

For tickets, sponsorships, and additional information, visit FishersWaterIsLife.com.

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools are moving into the final stages of approving new district boundary lines for all schools except the two high schools.

The district’s consultant, Woolpert, has released a video explaining the three redistricting options now under public review. The video can be viewed at this link.

The first of two community meetings was held Monday evening at Fishers High School. Instead of a formal presentation, officials displayed the three proposed maps for residents to review. Top district administrators and representatives from Woolpert were available to answer questions and discuss the proposals.

A second community session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, at Hamilton Southeastern High School. The same open-house format will be used for that meeting.

The HSE School Board will receive an update on the redistricting process during its regular meeting Wednesday night. Public comments on the three proposed maps will continue to be accepted for the next two to three weeks.

According to the district’s published timeline, Woolpert will compile feedback and data during November. A final redistricting recommendation is expected to be presented to the school board for a vote in December.

For more information and to view the proposed maps, visit the HSE Schools redistricting webpage [at this link].

When it came time to name the new pedestrian bridge spanning the White River between Fishers’ Delaware Township and Carmel’s Clay Township, local officials sought guidance from Native American tribes. Because there was no single historic tribal name for the river, tribal representatives suggested naming the bridge after a natural feature along its banks. The name “Bur Oak” was chosen, honoring the stately trees that grow near the river.

The Bur Oak Bridge has been a vision more than 30 years in the making. Its completion represents a partnership among multiple levels of local government — Clay Township, the City of Carmel, Delaware Township, the City of Fishers, and Hamilton County — who worked together to bring the long-discussed project to life.

The new bridge connects several regional trail networks and will serve both pedestrians and cyclists, enhancing recreation and accessibility on both sides of the river.

A large crowd gathered Monday afternoon for the ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the center of the bridge, on the Carmel side.

Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman praised the project as an example of what can be accomplished when governments collaborate. Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness commended the dedication of all those involved in the effort, while Delaware Township Trustee Debbie Driskell expressed gratitude to the many individuals and agencies who helped make the bridge a reality.