Both the Hamilton Southeastern School Board and the Fishers City Council have been live streaming videos of their regular meetings and preserving those recordings online if anyone wishes to view them later.  I recently asked myself this question – how many people are watching these videos?

I submitted requests to the Hamilton Southeastern School Board and the City of Fishers for data on how many views their videos receive.  I have yet to receive a response from the city, but the HSE Schools have responded.  Once I have information from the city, this story will be updated.

The HSE Schools had a few technical glitches when rolling out the video technology in March & April of 2019, which is normal, so I have data beginning with the May 8th, 2019, board session through the recent February 12th meeting.

Based on the numbers provided, during that period, there were 4,056 instances where a person accessed most or all of a live-stream meeting video, meaning they watched live as the meeting was happening.  Also, during that same period, there were 2,834 times an access was made to view most or all of a recorded meeting session.

School officials emphasize that these numbers do not reflect “unique visitors,” meaning one person could access a video more than once.

The most-viewed video by far was the first recorded meeting, conducted on May 8th.  This was the session when the board approved the final version of the school nondiscrimination policy.  There were 1,437 views of that live-stream.  There were 1,055 views of the recorded version of that meeting after the session ended.

The number two meeting, in terms of the number of views, was the most recent one on February 12th, when school start times and revised bus schedules were debated and finalized for the 2020-2021 school year.  There were 526 live-stream views and 124 views of the recording.

It should be noted that only regular meetings held in the board meeting room at the school administration building are live-streamed and recorded.  Board work sessions are not part of the video contract with the vendor.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers picked up its third straight win on Friday, beating Pendleton Heights 66-47 in an away game.

The Tigers outscored the Arabians in each quarter, leading 14-10 after the first. Fishers then poured in 21 points in the second quarter to lead 35-24 at halftime; Alex Szilagyi helped out with seven points in that period. The Tigers steadily increased their lead in the second half, outscoring Pendleton 31-23.

Szilagyi led the Fishers scoring with 19 points. Jeffrey Simmons added 14 and Issac Farah contributed 13 points.

The Tigers are 16-5 for the season and play their sixth consecutive road game on Tuesday at Lawrence Central.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

It took Hamilton Southeastern just a few seconds shy of an entire game to get ahead of Carmel, but it was worth the wait.

A three-point play by Vinny Buccilla with 9.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter was the clinching basket for the Royals in their 62-61 victory over the Class 4A No. 8 Greyhounds on Friday. Not only was it a big win for Southeastern on its home floor, but it also kept the Royals’ win streak going. Southeastern has now won 11 games in a row.

“We emphasize the things that we’ve done to make it happen,” HSE coach Brian Satterfield said about the streak. “That’s always the case.”

“The next game as you walk out there, it doesn’t matter unless you’re going to continue to do those things,” said Satterfield. “Tonight, when we started the game, we didn’t do the things that allowed us to have that streak. But fortunately, we were able to claw our way back.”

The Royals had to claw their way back after being down in the first half. After a few minutes of back and forth in the first quarter, Carmel’s Brian Waddell hit a 3-pointer to put his team up 7-4, and the Greyhounds would hold the lead until the last few seconds of the fourth.

That 3-pointer started a 22-7 run for Carmel, and Waddell scored 10 of those points, including a tipback at the first-quarter buzzer to give the ‘Hounds a 16-8 lead. Waddell then opened the second with three free throws after getting fouled on a 3-point attempt.

Jackson Jannsen hit a 3-pointer as well.

Carmel led 34-22 with 1:13 left in the second quarter, but the Royals finished the half on a 7-0 run. DeAndre Rhodes made two free throws, John McCall scored on a layin and Sam Jacobs hit a buzzer-beating 3, getting Southeastern within 34-29.

The Greyhounds opened the second half with five quick points; Charlie Williams made a layin and Jannsen nailed another triple. Jannsen hit a 3 late in the quarter to give Carmel a 47-34 lead, but the Royals again responded with a 7-0 run. McCall’s three-point play and two baskets by Mabor Majak, the latter one a dunk, kept Southeastern close, 47-41 at the end of three.

An and-1 by Kole Hornbuckle with 4:34 left got the Royals within 51-50, but the Greyhounds answered with a 6-0 run. Waddell hit his third 3 of the night, then Charlie Williams converted a three-point play.

Two free throws from Connor Gioia put Carmel up 59-52 with 1:47 left, but Southeastern finished the game on a 10-2 run, starting with a 3-pointer from Rhodes. The Royals trailed 61-59 with the clock running down, but Buccilla tied the game with a jumper while being fouled, then made the free throw to put HSE in front. Southeastern’s defense then stopped Carmel in the final seconds.

“To give our guys credit, we didn’t give up, we kept fighting and somehow we found a way,” said Satterfield.

Majak led the Royals with 14 points, one of four Southeastern players in double figures. McCall added 12 points, with Rhodes and Buccilla both scoring 11.

“That’s the one thing that’s been nice about the group this year, especially here lately, is the balance that we’ve had scoring-wise,” said Satterfield.

McCall and Hornbuckle both collected six rebounds, Buccilla handed out six assists and Rhodes blocked two shots.

Waddell led Carmel with 20 points, including three 3-pointers. Jannsen hit four 3s on his way to 13 points, while Suder scored 11. Waddell collected five rebounds and Gioia dished out six assists.

The Royals are 15-5 and host Brownsburg next Friday in their final Hoosier Crossroads Conference game of the season. The Bulldogs lead the HCC with a 5-1 record, while Southeastern is 4-2 in the conference.

The Greyhounds are 12-6 and return to the Eric Clark Activity Center tonight to play Fort Wayne Carroll. Varsity tip off is at 5:30 p.m.

We have seen some work and a few lane restrictions along State Road 37 in Fishers the past year, but the first big closure is scheduled to start February 24th.  If traveling northbound on State Road 37, the left-turn lane onto westbound 126th Street will be closed to traffic.

Then, on March 1st, more closures are in store.  For the full listing of the latest road construction around Fishers, here is the report released by the City of Fishers February 14th:

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The Hamilton Southeastern School Board made decisions on bus routes and school start times, including a committee to study the issue and submit recommendations on the 2021-2022 school year.  For more details, here is my podcast discussion with HSE Schools Superintendent Allen Bourff

There have been rumors for over a year that Shake Shack would become a part of the Fishers District development along 116th Street east of I-69.  Kurt Christian of the Indianapolis Business Journal got it confirmed today, the restaurant plans a location opening in Fishers during late 2020.

For the full IBJ story, use this link  

(NOTE:  your access to the story may be limited if not an IBJ subscriber…..as always, I encourage people to subscribe to your local media outlets)

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

Whenever Curt Funk and his family drove down Interstate 69 to Indianapolis, he would see the facilities at Fishers High School in plain view of the highway – including, of course, the Tigers’ football field.

Funk had been the coach at Mississinewa High School for 10 years and had developed a solid championship program there. But when the Fishers position became open after the retirement of Rick Wimmer, Funk knew he had to take a chance.

“You hear all these good things about the school system and high school,” said Funk. “I felt like when it was open, I had to apply and give it my best shot to get the job.”

On Wednesday, Funk’s best shot paid off, as he was hired as the Tigers’ new head football coach. The announcement was made at the Hamilton Southeastern Schools board meeting, where Fishers principal Jason Urban gave Funk a warm welcome, and athletic directors Rob Seymour and Jim Brown were there by his side, along with Funk’s wife Janette.

Urban noted that the interview process was a rigorous one, which drew some smiles and chuckles from those in attendance. But Funk welcomed the process, saying that he would’ve expected nothing less.”

“That way they found the best fit for them, because I think that’s the important thing with any school when they’re hiring a teacher and a coach is that they find the best fit for their school,” said Funk.

“And with them doing their homework, they have confidence in me that I’m the best fit for their school, and so that’s why I’m excited to work here, with the administration.”

Funk has a solid track record as a coach. During his 10 seasons at Mississinewa, the Indians have compiled a record of 77-36, and had winning campaigns for nine consecutive years. Mississinewa has had at least 10 wins over the last four seasons, sectional titles in 2017 and 2019, going 11-2 in the latter season.

Funk served as the defensive coordinator for the 2017 North All-Star team and has been the head wrestling coach for the Indians for the past four years. Prior to his years at Mississinewa, Funk was also an assistant coach at Mooresville (2006-10), Muncie Southside (2005-06) and Bluffton (2003-05).

“With a winning record over the past nine seasons, Coach Funk has proven himself as a successful football coach,” said Seymour. “However, what really excites us about Coach Funk is his dynamic personality and his passion for the success of his student athletes.”

Fishers has been a remarkable story in football since the school re-opened in 2006. With Wimmer leading the way from day one, the Tigers had winning records in 11 of their 14 seasons, three sectional championships and a state title in 2010. Funk said Wimmer has laid an “awesome foundation” at Fishers, calling him a top-notch coach.

“The challenge is to build on that success, for sure,” said Funk, who will teach in the physical education department at Fishers High School. He graduated from Purdue in 2003 with a BS in Industrial Technology Education and holds a K-12 certification in physical education.

Funk said he will be meeting with the players today (Thursday) during their lunch periods.
His official start date is Feb. 24, but he is ready to meet his new team.

“I’ve been watching them on film,” said Funk. “I know them by their numbers and their names on the roster, but I’m excited to see their faces tomorrow.”

Funk graduated from Bluffton High School in 1999, where he was on the football team. He was also a standout wrestler, qualifying for the state meet during his junior and senior years. Funk finished third in the state at 152 pounds in his junior year, and won sectional and regional titles both seasons, moving up to 160 his senior year. He was also a regional qualifier at 152 his freshman and sophomore seasons.

In fact, Curt and Janette Funk’s oldest son Kyler, a senior at Mississinewa, has followed in his father’s wrestling footsteps. Kyler is a four-time semi-state qualifier, and made it to the state meet during his sophomore year at 182, winning a sectional title as well.

This season, Kyler has already won sectional and regional championships at 195, and will compete in the New Haven semi-state on Saturday. Curt and Janette have another son, sixth-grader Camden.

The snowy weather may have dampened the crowd a bit for Thursday morning’s annual Fishers YMCA fund-raising event, but the Y was still able to meet the event’s goal.  More than $25,000 was contributed by those attending the breakfast.

Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Bill Brooks, one of just a handful of names on the Colts “ring of honor” at Lucas Oil Stadium, was keynote speaker and told the story of how the YMCA impacted his young life.

He grew up in the tough Boston neighborhood of Roxbury and his parents placed young Bill Brooks in the local YMCA.  He admitted that, at first, he resisted going to the Y because he would rather hang out with his friends.  His parents made sure he did attend the Y, and over time discovered what the local YMCA could do for him.

He credits the YMCA experience for providing the basis for excelling in sports, going to college and ending up as a player in the NFL.

“The Y taught me a lot,’ said Brooks.  “Taught me a lot about how to interact with people , how to be involved with people, get involved with programs, how to work with other people.”

Another event the Fishers YMCA is sponsoring this month allows local “helpers” a chance to work out as part of the February 29th Cycle-a-thon.  Firefighters, police officers, nurses, doctors, teachers , EMTs and active military are all examples of community helpers.  Community Helpers, by signing up and choosing “Community Heroes Ride (12:15pm),” you are reserving one bike for this special ride. You do not need to be a YMCA member to participate. This ride is for all community helpers.    For more on the Cycle-a-thon, use this link.

For more on the Community Helpers, use this link.

In order to make a donation to the YMCA, use this link.

Fishers High School went north in Indiana to find a successor to long-time football coach Rick Wimmer.  Curt Funk was approved as the new varsity football coach and physical education teacher at Fishers.  Funk comes from Mississinewa High School.

“(Funk) endured a very rigorous interview process,” Fishers Principal Jason Urban told the board. “We have been very impressed with the kind of program he’s been able to build in his ten years as head coach  at Mississinewa High School.”

“I appreciate the opportunity and am very grateful to be here as part of the Fishers community,” Funk told board members.  “We’re excited to get started.”

The Fishers job opened-up when Wimmer announced that he would retire from coaching, but remain a physical education teacher at Fishers High School.

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board had a difficult time getting there, but finally has a decision, sort of, on school start times.  The option approved on a 4-3 vote Wednesday night sets out schedules for the 2020-2021 school year.  High School students will start their school day at 7:30am, ending at 2:30pm.  Grades 5-8 will start at 8:00am and leave school at 3:00pm.  Elementary students will begin their classes at 9:00am and end the school day at 3:30pm.  Below is the listing as provided by the school corporation, including the schedules for teachers and comparisons of the minutes in the school day:

The 4-3 vote approving this plan included support from Sylvia Shepler, Julie Chambers, Janet Pritchett and Michelle Fullhart.  Voting no were Brad Boyer, Amanda Shera and Clint Wilson.

In the original Option 2 plan, Superintendent Allen Bourff suggested the “flipped” start time schedule, allowing high school students more sleep but starting elementary classes earlier,  be implemented in school year 2021-2022.  The motion made by Board President Michelle Fullhart would create a study committee that would report back to the board in October of 2020 with recommendations on how to handle the student scheduled start times for 2021-2022.

Fullhart told LarryInFishers she does not know how many people will serve on the study committee or when the group will begin meeting.  She does envision a wide cross-section of people with ties to the school community serving on this panel, such as parents and teachers.

There were three tries to find a proposal with the support of the 4 board members needed to enact any measure .  A motion to enact Option #1, which would have implemented the “flipped” start times in the 2020-2021 school year along with the redesigned “3-tier” bus scheduling system, went down in a 5-2 vote, with Amanda Shera and Brad Boyer the only two votes supporting that idea.

A vote on Option 2 as originally proposed failed in a 4-3 vote.  A complex motion made by Clint Wilson died for lack of a second.

Four citizens signed up to speak before the board on the start time and bus schedule issue and had widely varying views, with roughly 2 speakers behind option 1, and 2 supporting option 2, but with lots of caveats and explanations.