Fishers-area motorists should watch for flashing school-zone lights and students returning to bus stops today, Monday, Oct. 26, as Hamilton Southeastern Schools resumes classes following fall break.
The return to school also begins a busy stretch for HSE, with a final referendum information session tonight, a school board meeting Wednesday and four board seats on the Nov. 3 ballot.
School officials have been holding community meetings to explain the proposed operating referendum and answer residents’ questions. The final scheduled session begins at 6 p.m. tonight at Hub & Spoke, 8100 E. 106th St. The event is listed on the district calendar.
The proposal would replace the operating referendum voters approved in 2023. According to the district, the funding supports teacher compensation, school safety, student behavioral health services and educational programs. HSE says the replacement is intended to help offset revenue reductions resulting from changes to Indiana property tax law. Residents can review the proposal and estimate their property’s tax impact on the district’s referendum webpage.
Four of the seven school board seats are also up for election, representing Districts 1 through 4. Voters choose among candidates in the school board district where they live.
Early voting has been busy, according to local election officials. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters can find election information and sample ballots through the Hamilton County Election Office.
Before voters finish casting their ballots, the school board has several financial matters to address.
The board meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the HSE administration building, 13485 Cumberland Road. A final vote on the district’s 2027 budget is scheduled.
The board will also conduct a public hearing on the tentative collective bargaining agreement with the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association. The hearing notice says public testimony will be permitted on matters related to the agreement.
Administrators are also expected to ask the board to reject the bids received for district-owned land at 136th Street and Prairie Baptist Road and outline the next steps toward selling it.
The district received 45 bids during the online auction, but the final offer did not meet its target price, Assistant Superintendent for Finance Tim Brown said in earlier reporting. Bidding closed Oct. 21.
The district’s public sale notice lists the parcel at approximately 16.14 acres. School officials previously said the remaining property is too small and poorly located for a future school site.