Here is the link to the video version of my conversation with WFYI’s Rachel Fradette.

Indiana lawmakers will gather in Downtown Indianapolis in early 2025 for a budget session of the General Assembly.  I talked with Rachel Fradette, education reporter for public radio station WFYI in Indianapolis, about how education may be impacted by legislators as tey fashion the state’s 2-year spending plan.

The Fishers AgriPark, a 33-acre urban farm and popular community destination, is set to expand with the addition of new facilities following an $800,000 investment. The upgrades include indoor restrooms, classroom and programming space, and a country store to enrich the visitor experience.

The new multi-purpose building will be constructed near the property’s entrance, west of the existing barn, and is scheduled for completion by May 2025. While operational by then, certain features, including the country store, will open later in the year.

“This addition reflects our commitment to making the Fishers AgriPark a premier destination for education, engagement, and enjoyment,” said Marissa Deckert, Director of Fishers Parks. “The new amenities will not only enhance convenience but also provide more opportunities for interactive programming and hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages.”

The expansion will enhance the AgriPark’s offerings with space for workshops, school programs, and community events. The country store and a coffee shop will provide specialty and seasonal products from local vendors, with the store projected to open in 2026.

This announcement follows a record-breaking year for the AgriPark, which welcomed over 35,000 visitors, 30% of whom were first-time guests. Participants harvested more than 150,000 pounds of produce, including sweet corn and vegetable plants, while thousands engaged in educational activities like the U-pick program and animal encounters.

Owned and operated by Fishers Parks, the AgriPark connects visitors to the city’s agricultural heritage. It offers attractions such as fields, gardens, animal encounters, and a sensory nature play area, creating a unique combination of farming, education, and entertainment. The site also collaborates with Hamilton Southeastern Schools to deliver agricultural and sustainability programs for students.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness emphasized the significance of the project. “The addition of the new building is part of Fishers Parks’ ongoing efforts to enhance the AgriPark’s role as a community resource,” he said. “With upgraded facilities and new features, the AgriPark will continue to connect residents and visitors to the land, the food they eat, and the importance of sustainable agriculture.”

For project updates and upcoming events, visit FishersParks.com/AgriPark or follow the AgriPark on Facebook and Instagram.

The City of Fishers has accepted a bid of $1.6 million to construct a roundabout at the intersection of 131st Street and Howe Road.  Director of Engineering Hatem Mekky told the Board of Public Works and Safety that the bid was below the engineer’s estimate of $1.9 million for this project.  The intersection currently has a 2-way stop sign on Howe Road.  Construction is expected this summer during the school summer break and will require the intersection to close for approximately 60 days.

In other Tuesday morning actions from the Board of Works:

–A Department of Energy reimbursement grant will fund solar panels on the roof of the Billericay Park building and the Fishers Police Department Headquarters building on Municipal Drive.  Each project has a price tag of over $100,000.  The panels of an expected useful life of 25 years.

–Major reconstruction of Cumberland Road south of 116th Street will likely be delayed until 2026 due to relocation of Duke Entergy transmission and distribution poles and lines along the west side of Cumberland Road.  Mayor Fadness said he “reluctantly” voted for for the reimbursement agreement with Duke that will result in the construction delay.

–A professional services agreement was approved with the National Fitness Campaign, moving forward with an outdoor fitness equipment studio.  The city has budgeted $165,000 for 2025 toward this project, which will be partially funded by a $30,000 grant.  The city has applied for an additional grant, but that will not be awarded until April of next year.

–Mekky tells LarryInFishers the roundabout under construction east of State Road 37 on 141st Street, at Prairie Lakes, should open to traffic Wednesday, weather permitting.

I first got to know Rachel Fradette when she covered suburban school districts for the Indianapolis Star and sometimes covered the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) District.  We often shared a table at school board meetings.

Rachel visited HSE School Board meetings recently in her most recent role as education reporter for local public radio station WFYI, so we had a chance to talk again.

Rachel recently asked me to visit the studios of WFYI to discuss the recent school board election and get my historical take on what is happening in the HSE District.

It appears the transcript provided of our discussion came from a voice translation program.  Maybe it was the program or just the way I talk, but the transcript is not very accurate.  However, there is a link to the interview recorded a few days ago with Rachel.

You can access the link to the interview here.

In mid-August, Steve Loser, Director of K-12 Initiatives for HSE Schools, presented a proposal from a nonprofit organization, to create an Innovation Network School, a form of charter school under Indiana law.  The board entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue the idea with Opportunity Education.

James Troupis of Opportunity Education attended a recent HSE School Board meeting to explain the proposal establishing the charter, a school offering grades 9-12, with a student body that would eventually number 500-600.  The school would offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) but it was unclear what would be offered and the timeline on when those classes would be offered.

Loser told the board it takes time to create CTE classes and the Opportunity Education proposal would have been the quickest way for HSE Schools to offer such classes.  About 7% of HSE students are currently in CTE classes, most offered at the J. Everett Light Center, located at North Central High School in Indianapolis.

Obviously, HSE students do not get first dibs on these classes, Washington Township will place their students first.  The Pursuit Institute, an endeavor created by Hamilton County School Districts for CTE education, has not worked out as originally hoped.

There are still a large number of HSE grads that go on the college, but that number has been going down in recent years.  Providing education and experience to high school students in now more important than ever.

However, there were a number of questions raised about the proposed charter.  Opportunity Education has had no experience creating such a school and admitted as much in answering questions from the board.  A public hearing on the proposal drew 20 speaking segments, with no one supporting the Opportunity Education proposal.

Just days ago, HSE Superintendent Patrick Mapes sent a message to staff and families of HSE Schools, announcing that he has been advised that Opportunity Education (OE) had withdrawn its proposed  charter school application.  Mapes quotes the withdrawal letter from OE, saying “this may not be an optimal time for the community to undertake such an innovation effort.”

Why did OE withdraw its proposed charter school?  The letter that Mapes quotes is complimentary to the school board and school officials for considering the idea.  But there may be another reason.

More than one source has told me there would not likely be 4 votes on the 7-member school board to approve the OE proposal.  There are many reasons, but one is that HSE’s superintendent would have one seat on the board overseeing the charter, but the other board seats would be appointed by the holder of the charter, in this case OE.

The Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, representing teachers in the HSE district, opposed the charter and said so before and after the decision to withdraw by OE.

It has been rare that a high-performing suburban school district such as HSE has supported a charter school.  Yet, according to Loser, the way schools are funded in Indiana, the OE proposal would have the best chance of creating CTE opportunities for HSE students.  Now, the HSE district will need to look at another pathway to offer these opportunities to students.

I must compliment Steve Loser.  He laid out the Innovation Network Charter School idea very clearly for the board and the public.  I am looking forward to what Mr. Loser will be doing as a central office administrator moving forward.

It was clear teachers and many local residents had concerns about the charter school proposal.  This idea is gone, at least for now.

David Lindquist of the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) attended the first Fishers Event Center show Friday night, the Turnpike Troubadours.  He gave the concert high marks.  He also spoke with a number of people at the concert and all had high praise for the show and the new venue. (You can read the story at this link, but you may need an IBJ subscription to access).

One issue Lindquist identified in talking with concert-goers was their lack of understanding about how parking works at the Center.  Because there are no barrier arms or booths, a number of customers assumed the parking is free in nearby lots.  It is not free.

You can reserve your parking area in advance.  In the lots themselves, there are signs with QR codes, allowing you to pay for parking after you have arrived.  If you park and fail to pay, a license plate reader will identify you and you will owe the parking vendor $20.

More information is available about parking at the Fishers Event Center at this link.

A routine welfare check on November 13, 2024, led Fishers Police to uncover a large-scale fraud operation involving stolen checks, credit cards, and gift cards. The investigation has resulted in multiple felony and misdemeanor charges against three suspects: David Davis of Avon, Jessica Sprankle of Indianapolis, and Amy Gill of Needham.

Police were dispatched to investigate a vehicle sitting stationary at a traffic light near I-69 and Campus Parkway. Upon arrival, officers found the three suspects asleep inside the vehicle. All were taken into custody after officers discovered drugs in their possession and learned the vehicle and its license plate had been stolen from Indianapolis.

According to authorities, subsequent search of the vehicle revealed hundreds of checks, many of which showed signs of tampering, commonly referred to as “check washing,” while others were blank checks stolen from businesses. Investigators also say they found multiple credit cards and gift cards, further suggesting the suspects were involved in a widespread fraud scheme.

Through their investigation, detectives identified dozens of victims and determined Davis had been stealing checks directly from mailboxes. Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart praised his officers’ vigilance.  “Through the diligent efforts of our officers during this welfare check, we may have prevented numerous individuals and businesses from falling victim to fraud”, said Gebhart. “The action not only apprehended the suspects but also dismantled a scheme that could have caused significant harm to our community. Our commitment to public safety remains our top priority.”

The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office has filed the following charges:

David Davis (Avon)

• Auto Theft (Level 6 Felony)
• Counterfeiting (Level 6 Felony)
• Forgery (Level 6 Felony)
• Theft (A Misdemeanor)
• Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle (B Misdemeanor)
• Possession of Marijuana (A and B Misdemeanors)

Jessica Sprankle (Indianapolis)

• Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person (A Misdemeanor)
• Driving While Suspended (A Misdemeanor)
• Possession of Marijuana (B Misdemeanor)
• Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle (B Misdemeanor)

Amy Gill (Needham)

• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony)

The investigation remains ongoing. Law enforcement encourages residents and businesses to secure their mail and report any suspicious activity.

Road construction in and around the Fishers area continues into Thanksgiving week.  City Engineering Director Hatem Mekky said at a recent meeting that the roundabout construction on 141st Street and Prairie Lakes, just west of State Road 37, should be completed during Thanksgiving week, but this is not noted in the update below.

There is information on traffic changes to know for the Gobblers Job 5K and Wishbone 5K.

Here is the weekly road construction report, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Local road construction update for Thanksgiving week →