Sarah Sandquist if the Director of the Fishers Parks & Recreation Department – Gabe Amick is a member of the department’s Experience Team.  They team up to talk about the Spark Fishers Festival.

When Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools narrowed the search for a new HSE High School Principal down to two candidates , Assistant Superintendent Matt Kegley described the process for the selection committee, and Superintendent Yvonne Stokes, in making the decision to hire Reggie Simmons.

“After considering the interview process and information gained in the interview process every step of the way, it was felt that Mr. Simmons possessed the qualities and experiences needed and required to lead Hamilton Southeastern High School,” Kegley told board members,

Mr. Simmons has led the Hamilton Southeastern Fishers Academy the past two years.  He began his career with HSE Schools in 2005.

Simmons told the board he already knows much of the staff at HSE High School and is looking forward to getting to know all the staff there as he assumes his new responsibility.

Also, the board formally approved Quentin Hunter as the new Assistant Principal at Fishers Elementary School.

There are decisions to be made about how to utilize school buildings in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District and the local school board held a lengthy Tuesday morning work session looking at options to consider.

The future of Fishers Elementary School was discussed at length and the board appears to be forming a consensus around keeping the staff together, whether at a newly-remodeled structure at the current site or a new building at a nearby location.  The board also appeared to move in favor of turning the current Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate & Junior High (also known as the HIJH) into just a junior high school and construct another building nearby to house an Intermediate school (grades 5 & 6).

The future of Durbin Elementary School is also part of the mix, with possible future uses as a preschool, professional development center, a home for the Academy, Transition & Focus Day programs or a possible return to an elementary school.  Buying a current commercial building is also a possibility housing the Academy, transition or a possible preschool.

There were discussions of how each option, or mix of options, would impact the school district financially.  Administrators Matt Kegley and Katy Dowling told board members they were looking for direction to guide next steps.  Adding a new Intermediate School will provide some operational challenges, due to the need for administrators, security and guidance staff to be placed in the new school building, according to school staff.

There were no votes taken or actions by the board during the work session.

Superintendent Yvonne Stokes told board members the staff will move forward based on the guidance from board members and will provide more specific proposals, including more precise cost estimates, at a board meeting in August.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HGSE) School Board will have a meeting Tuesday morning at 7:30 to enact a new student fee schedule, but there will be another item on the agenda of special interest to anyone connected to HSE High School.

The board is scheduled to vote on an administration recommendation to hire Reginald Simmons as the new HSE High School Principal.  Mr. Simmons would replace Janie Ulmer, who is moving on to a job with the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA).

Reggie Simmons is listed currently in the HSE Schools staff directory as Director of Hamilton Southeastern Fishers Academy.

Every time we get into the month of June in Fishers, there is plenty of social media chatter about fireworks – is there a city ordinance, and if so, what does it say?

The Fishers Police Department issued a news release Monday with a reminder of the city fireworks ordinance and what it says.  Here is the release and a copy of the actual ordinance:

Continue reading FPD reminder on city fireworks ordinance →

Construction continues on the State Road 37 project with changes in the traffic configuration.  Below is a posting from the 37 Thrives Web site.

As a journalist, I do my best to provide accurate information as best I can.  Sometimes, I write something that needs to be corrected later.  This is one of those times.

When writing my story on the Fishers Memorial Day observance this year, I included a photo I had taken of a plan flying over the proceedings.  Master of ceremonies El Ahlwardt had said early in the event to expect a flyover and watch for it approaching behind him.

As the ceremony continued, there was a plane that was flying over the municipal complex just as Mr. Ahlwardt said it would.

However, based on comments made at the Fishers Armed Services Committee Meeting a few days ago, the planned flyover was cancelled as the Memorial Day event was beginning.

The plane that did appear above the Fishers City Hall “was not a flyover,” Ahlwardt said.  The planned flyover aircraft was apparently not ready for flight, so Ahlwardt made clear that no pilot should take off in a plane not ready to fly.

This was the second year in a row the planned flyover did not materialize, so the city is looking at other options for the 2023 Memorial Day flyover.

No one knows what the plane was doing that did fly over the ceremony on Memorial Day, we just know it was not the planned flyover.

Again, sometimes things are not what they seem at the time.  Just setting the record straight.

Saturday morning began with threat of rain and a bit of cloudy mist in the air.  Then the sun began to shine on Conner Prairie.  It was a busy Saturday with lots of families exploring the local historical museum

Saturday was also the annual Arts on the Prairie event, sponsored by the Fishers Arts Council.  There were plenty of booths with artists displaying their work for sale.

There was music and an atmosphere conducive to a day of celebrating art.

Below are photos of some of those artists, with the artwork they created.

When the decision came down that the current Fishers City Hall would face demolition, the Fishers Arts Council had an important decision to make – the monthly art displays and artist reception needed a new location.

The council found the perfect venue at the Hamilton County Community Foundation building on Technology Drive, across from the Fieldhouse.

The first artist reception at the new location features the work of two artists – Critt Hunter and Koral Mutlu.  There were many compliments about the foundation’s facility, and the only complaint was the construction on Technology Drive that requires it to be a one-way street for now.

After a long time featuring the Art Gallery at Fishers City Hall, it appears the display and monthly reception has found a new home with the Hamilton County Community Foundation.

Road construction in the Fishers area is in full swing and the listing of projects is long.  It includes ongoing work such as State Road 37 plus a number of other construction sites.

Below is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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STATE ROAD 37 AND 146TH STREET
All left-turn lanes are currently restricted on SR 37 and on 146th Street with traffic moved to the interior lanes. Thru traffic and right turns on SR 37 and 146th Street will remain open. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes for all left turn access. View an alternate route map here.  

On Monday, June 13 and Tuesday, June 14, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. there will be single lane restrictions each direction on SR 37 between 141st Street & 146th Street to place HMA widening along the median shoulder. 

STATE ROAD 37 AND 131ST/135TH STREET
On/after Tuesday, June 14, the contractor will begin the traffic switch to move SR 37 northbound over to the newly constructed lanes and close 135th Street access east of SR 37. This will take place at night and could take two evenings to complete and will require single lane closures for northbound and southbound SR 37. Once the traffic switch is complete, this will allow right in/right out access for northbound at 131st Street. The 135th Street access east of SR 37 closure will be in place through July. View the detour map here.

Please drive with caution through this area. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com.

The inside lane of the Technology Drive is currently closed to traffic to allow for construction of new pavement in the inside lane.  One-way traffic will be in place in the outside lane as shown here.  Access to all businesses will be maintained during the construction.

The intersection at Southeastern Pky. & Cyntheanne Road is currently closed for roundabout construction and is anticipated to reopen by the end of July. View the detour map here. Schoolhouse 7 Café will remain open for business during construction. View how to access their business here.
 
ATLANTIC ROAD
On Monday, June 13, Atlantic Road, between Del Webb Parkway and the south property line of Oakmont, will be resurfaced as part of the Estes Park road improvements. Traffic control will be in place.  

The westbound lanes of 116th Street between Olio Road and Brooks School Road will be closed, weather permitting, beginning on Monday, June 13 at 5 a.m. and is expected to reopen by Tuesday, June 14 at 6 a.m. for concrete joint repair work by DPW. View detour map here. 

On Saturday, June 11, crews will be working on the concrete stairs by the Depot. The work area will be barricaded to keep surrounding areas safe. The barricades should be removed by the morning of Tuesday, June 14. 
 

ADA ramp and curb reconstruction has started taking place in Charleston Crossing, Delaware Pointe, Eller Trails, Eller Commons, Eller Run, Fishers Pointe, Hickory Woods, Lantern Overlook, Overlook at Beaver Ridge, Sunblest and Waterford Gardens as part of the 2022 Resurfacing Project. Homeowners will be notified via door hangers prior to any curb reconstruction near their home. After ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is completed, those areas will be restored with topsoil and seed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to water the seed for the seed to germinate. Prior to road resurfacing, residents will be notified via street signage for street parking restrictions.