The lights are set to dim and the curtains to rise as Olio Road Productions, Hamilton Southeastern High School’s award-winning student-run film company, prepares to debut its 10th feature-length film, 11:17.  The film premier’s at the HSE High School Leonard Auditorium May 13, 3:30pm.  There will be a red carpet premier May 16, 7pm.  Get your tickets from purplepass.com

Written by HSE seniors Andrew Koleszar and Matthew Krohn, 11:17 tells the story of a high school senior grappling with the aftermath of a traumatic accident. As she drifts through a surreal psychological limbo, the character must choose between escape and confrontation—an emotional journey told through striking visuals and haunting narrative.

Directed by Koleszar and produced by Katie Follis, the film showcases the cinematography of Sam Loew and represents the culmination of over 1,000 hours of work by students, all outside of regular school hours. These young filmmakers take full creative control—writing the script, designing sets and costumes, acting, filming, editing, scoring, and promoting the final product.

Founded in 2014 by HSEHS teacher and professional filmmaker Jeremiah Follis, Olio Road Productions has become a beacon for aspiring artists and creatives within the school. Follis continues to serve as the Executive Producer, guiding students through the complexities of large-scale film production and fostering collaboration across diverse talents and disciplines.

The premiere of 11:17 marks a significant milestone for Olio Road Productions, which has now spent a decade empowering students to push artistic boundaries and tell compelling stories on the big screen.

View a preview of 11:17 at this link.

I’ve written before on this blog about my skepticism toward city livability rankings. Aside from Money Magazine, which I believe uses a sound methodology, I have little confidence in how most other organizations—particularly real estate websites—arrive at their scores.

My opinion was reinforced by an article in Monday’s edition of the Indianapolis Star, also posted on IndyStar.com. It focuses on the latest “Top 100 Best Places to Live” list from Livability.com. Fishers ranked fourth last year, yet didn’t even make the list this year.

Star reporter John Tuohy reached out to the City of Fishers for comment but received none—and it’s not hard to see why. The city likely had no idea why it was excluded, so what could they possibly say?

To get answers, Tuohy did what any good journalist should: he called Livability’s Editor-in-Chief, Amanda Ellis. Her explanation was surprising. Apparently, it’s all Carmel’s fault. Confused? Let me explain.

Ellis said Livability changed its ranking criteria this year. In an effort to feature a broader range of cities, they decided to limit their list to only one city per geographic area. According to Ellis, Carmel narrowly outscored Fishers, and under the new rules, that meant Fishers was bumped off the list entirely.

So, no, Fishers didn’t suddenly experience a decline in livability. It was simply the casualty of a rule change by Livability.com.

This isn’t an attack on Livability.com, but it does reaffirm my general policy of ignoring most of these rankings—Money Magazine being the exception.

John Tuohy’s article is a solid piece of journalism, and as of this writing, the Star does not have a paywall on the story. I encourage you to read it at this link.

I was on my college debate team during the spring semester of 1974—a time when President Richard Nixon was fighting to stay in office amid the Watergate scandal. Coincidentally, the national college debate topic that semester was: “The Powers of the Presidency Should Be Significantly Curtailed.”

As we all know now, Nixon resigned in August of that year. But during those months leading up to his resignation, that debate topic sparked plenty of political fireworks at collegiate tournaments. More importantly, it taught a lasting lesson that remains vital in public discourse today.

Competitive college debate instills one critical discipline: to be effective, you must understand both sides of an issue. In a typical tournament, a team would argue the affirmative side of the resolution in the morning rounds and switch to the negative side in the afternoon. That rhythm required deep research, critical thinking, and a willingness to see the argument from another perspective.

That training served me well in my career as a journalist. Reporting on important public policy issues demands a similar discipline—you must grasp the arguments on both sides and explain them clearly and fairly to the public.

I was reminded of all this as I covered the debate leading up to the Fishers City Council’s decision in April to enact a rental housing cap. Starting in 2026, the city will limit the number of single-family rental homes to 10% per subdivision. Homes already being rented by the end of this year will be grandfathered in. There are also a number of exceptions, which are detailed at this link.

I hosted two podcasts exploring this issue. The first featured Mayor Scott Fadness and his Chief of Staff, Jordin Alexander. The mayor argued that the growing number of rentals is crowding out young families who want to buy homes in Fishers. He emphasized that most residents support the rental cap.

Another podcast featured an opposition group—led by former City Councilor Jocelyn Vare and real estate professional Steve Ladig—pushes back on that narrative. They contend that large investment firms and hedge funds haven’t been purchasing Fishers homes in significant numbers lately. They also warn the ordinance could reduce home values over time by limiting rental flexibility in many neighborhoods.

IndyStar opinion columnist James Briggs added his perspective in two columns, citing industry data that the average age of homebuyers nationally is now 56. In today’s lending environment, it’s increasingly difficult for younger families to qualify for a mortgage.

An important legal aspect of this issue is that Fishers is charting new territory, both in Indiana and potentially across the nation. Fishers is the first city in the state to adopt such a measure, and now Carmel is considering a similar ordinance. Given the opposition from homebuilders and real estate interests—who spent significant money opposing the ordinance—legal challenges are likely. City officials say they are confident the ordinance will withstand scrutiny in court.

If the City Council’s vote is any indication, Mayor Fadness was right about public sentiment. The ordinance passed unanimously, 9-0, and councilors reported that about 70–80% of constituent feedback was in favor.

There’s one more aspect of this debate that is more delicate—but important. Briggs argued that communities like Fishers and Carmel support rental caps not solely due to market conditions, but because they want to “scapegoat Wall Street so they can award affluent buyers and existing homeowners with exclusive access to single-family houses and keep away unsavory renters.”

I’ve lived in Fishers for 34 years, and when speaking with fellow residents, I often hear that Fishers is a welcoming city—open to all. But when I talk with people outside our city, I hear a very different impression.

Appearances matter—sometimes even more than reality. As we consider and defend the decisions made in our city, let’s not forget how those choices appear to those watching from outside our borders.

The Hamilton East Public Library is inviting adults to experience the library like never before at its first-ever “A Night in the Stacks,” an exclusive after-hours event launching this year’s Summer Reading Program, “Color Our World.”

Set for Friday, May 30, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Noblesville Library, the 21-and-over event promises an evening of music, games, drinks, and creativity. Attendees will have access to a wide array of activities throughout the library, including a silent disco, trivia with prizes, laser tag, book speed dating, video and arcade games, crafts, a bounce house, and more. Board games will also be available, courtesy of local group Who’s Yer Gamers.

Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance through the library’s website. No tickets will be sold at the door. The first 50 guests to arrive will receive a special swag bag.

Food from Hot Box Pizza and drinks, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase. Guests can also browse special after-hours offerings at the Friends of the Library Bookstore and pre-register for the Summer Reading Program.

“We wanted to create something fresh and engaging that invites adults into the library in a fun, dynamic way,” said Amber Wright, Director of Public Services. “‘A Night in the Stacks’ is the perfect way to kick off our ‘Color Our World’ summer reading program, which is all about celebrating imagination, community, and the joy of reading.”

The event is hosted in partnership with the newly launched HEPL Foundation. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit hamiltoneastpl.org.

The Hamilton East Library encompasses both the Noblesville and Fishers libraries

The weekly road construction report includes an advisory on how traffic will be impacted by the FAST Triathlon May 17.  But there is a long list of updates and new information on what motorists need to know in and around Fishers.

Here is the road construction report, as provided by the City of Fishers, for the work week starting Monday, May 12:

Continue reading Latest on Fishers area road construction →

The 32nd Annual Hamilton County Youth Service Awards will be held Monday, May 12, at 4:00 p.m. at the Government & Judicial Center in Noblesville. The ceremony honors local teens for exceptional community service and commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.

Sponsored by the Hamilton County Commissioners and the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (HCCOAOD), the event highlights the efforts of youth who have made a significant impact in their schools and communities.

“Every year, I’m amazed by the passion and resilience of these young leaders,” said Monica Greer, executive director of HCCOAOD. “Their dedication to service and their stand for a drug-free lifestyle are powerful reminders of the positive future being built right here in Hamilton County.”

This year’s finalists include students from all seven public high schools in the county: Josh Cale (Carmel High School), Sloan Ferguson (Fishers High School), Madison Bowman (Hamilton Heights High School), Evan Lawhead (Hamilton Southeastern High School), Ryan Vetor (Noblesville High School), Zachary Phillips (Sheridan High School), and Asha Adhikari (Westfield High School).

Each nominee will receive a $300 scholarship for their contributions. One student will be selected to receive the top honor — a $1,000 scholarship — chosen by a committee of county employees.

The awards ceremony is part of a broader initiative by HCCOAOD to promote youth leadership and healthy choices across Hamilton County.

Tim Brown, who has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools for just under a year, is focused on navigating funding challenges resulting from the 2025 Indiana General Assembly session. Following a Wednesday morning meeting of the school board’s Finance Committee, Brown spoke with LarryInFishers about the district’s financial outlook and budget planning.

Brown expressed confidence in the administration’s ability to manage short-term budget shortfalls, noting that cost-cutting efforts are being designed to be “less painful for folks.” However, he added that the long-term financial impact of recent legislative decisions remains “to be determined.”

The school board is slated to receive a budget update in June, although Brown cautioned that it may still be too early to fully understand the implications of the legislative changes. One positive outcome, he noted, was a 2% increase in per-student funding for the Education Fund—a welcome development given the state’s tight revenue forecast and cuts to other sectors, including public health.

Funding for the Operations Fund, which comes from local property taxes, is less certain. Brown expects this area to present a greater challenge in the coming years. However, continued growth in assessed property values could help ease the strain, provided those increases persist.

With local demographic trends showing a decline in student enrollment, HSE has seen growing interest from families outside district boundaries. While some students from outside HSE may be admitted if they meet district standards, Brown noted that these decisions can be fluid, as families sometimes change plans at the last minute. This uncertainty makes it difficult to project outside-the-district boundary enrollment figures for the coming school year. HSE is graduating approximately 1,700 seniors this year, while the incoming kindergarten class has dropped to around 1,100.

Brown also addressed some confusion around the reported per-student funding increase. While some argue the increase is higher than 2%, the higher figure does not properly take into account state funding now allocated for “curricular materials”—previously known as textbook fees paid by parents. The state has rolled this cost into the general per-student funding structure, complicating direct comparisons to past budgets.

Highlights from the Finance Committee Meeting:

• Pharmacy Benefit Management Contracts:
  A staff and teacher committee recommended awarding pharmacy benefit manager contracts to Capital Rx and Archimedes. The new agreement, effective July 1, is expected to save the district $2.5 million annually, benefiting both employees and the school’s health trust fund. The contract runs for 3.5 years.

• Virtual Healthcare Access with First Stop:
  With most HSE employees moving to a high-deductible health plan, the district is partnering with First Stop, a 24/7 virtual healthcare service. The service will be available at no cost to employees and members of their households, covering many, but not all, health needs.

• Behavioral Health Services Through Community Health:
  HSE has renewed a one-year contract with Community Health to provide behavioral health services, placing therapists in all 22 school buildings. The cost remains unchanged from last year at $400,000.

• Textbook Adoption Costs:
  The committee also reviewed expenses related to new textbook adoptions. The selected books will be available for public viewing during the May 14 school board meeting.

Five Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools educators received a surprise visit from Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness this week — and with him came more than $95,000 in grant funding aimed at transforming classrooms across the district.

The awards were part of the City of Fishers’ Educator Innovation Grant program, an initiative launched in 2024 to support bold, creative projects that reimagine education. With this latest round, the program has now distributed nearly $350,000 in total, funding 22 educators across 12 schools.

There is no cap on individual grant amounts, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This round of recipients is bringing a wide range of projects to HSE classrooms:

• Jamie Follis of Hamilton Southeastern High School received $16,200 to expand the Olio Road Productions film program, enabling students to create short fictional, promotional, and documentary films throughout the year — with potential public screenings in partnership with the City.

• Jeffrey Brunnemer at Fall Creek Junior High was awarded $3,600 to purchase Time Kettle translator earbuds for English as a New Language (ENL) students, helping them navigate academic content more independently.

• John McCallister, also at Hamilton Southeastern High School, received $39,100 for a welding simulation system. This technology will give students the opportunity to earn up to two welding certifications and prepare them for careers in the skilled trades.

• Jenifer Young, teaching at Hamilton Southeastern High School, was granted $15,100 to provide additional tools and support for English as a Second Language (ESL) students, helping bridge cultural and language divides in the classroom.

• Will Hurst at Cumberland Road Elementary was awarded $22,980 for the school’s “Village of Cumberland” project — a hands-on learning experience modeled after a “Biz Town” to support third grade students on their educational journey.

The grants are reviewed and awarded by a selection committee made up of former HSE educators, local entrepreneurs, and alumni. Current committee members include retired educators Mike Fassold, Brad Jackson, and Kaleigh Arndt; Conner Prairie’s teacher-in-residence Amy Murch; and HSE graduate Jordin Alexander, who now serves as Chief of Staff for the City of Fishers.

I will admit, math was not one of my better subjects in high school.  I always felt sorry for my math teachers, they did the best they could, I worked at it, but it never came easily to me.

That’s why I appreciate the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools naming the High School District Level Teacher of the Year a teacher of mathematics, Matt Dunham of Hamilton Southeastern High School.  School officials surprised him early Monday morning, before his colleagues, family and others there to celebrate the honor.

In presenting the award, his fellow teachers and his students all sang his praises.  When it came time for teacher Dunham to speak, he did what many instructors do in similar situations, he praised the teachers in his department.

“I know I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today without a lot of input and help from my colleagues,” Dunham said.  “That is crucial, just being able to bounce ideas off of people.”

Matt Dunham is the high school level teacher of the year for the entire HSE School District.