WFYI Public Radio reporter Rachel Fradette posted a story on the radio station’s Web site Friday about Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board candidate John Stewart.
Reporter Fradette reports on a contract Stewart had to run a horse operation for the Hamilton County Parks Department. The controversy stems from Stewart’s hiring of a family friend that was facing criminal charges out of state.
You can find the story at this link. WFYI has no paywall.
The Fishers Arts Council (FAC) is reaching out to arts enthusiasts in the community, encouraging residents to apply for board positions and play a hands-on role in shaping the city’s visual and performing arts scene. With a mission to “support, advocate, and cultivate visual and performing arts opportunities” for the Fishers community, FAC invites creative and committed individuals to lend their time and talents toward enriching the local cultural landscape.
FAC is specifically looking for board members who can commit 2-3 hours each month to advancing art initiatives throughout Fishers. Board members will take active roles in meetings, art juries, and community events, all while working closely with FAC’s part-time Executive Director to grow public and private art initiatives.
According to Pat Grabill, FAC board member and watercolorist, joining the FAC board has been a unique experience. “The arts – all of them – bring joy and pleasure to our lives,” Grabill said. “Serving on the Fishers Arts Council has allowed me to meet and greet wonderful people, appreciate beautiful art, listen to amazing musicians, and bring even more art to the Fishers community. We hope those of you who love the arts will join us on the Board.”
Former FAC President and local artist Laura Villanyi joined the Council out of her admiration for the vibrant art installations around Fishers, particularly the decorated electrical boxes along 116th Street. “As soon as I saw those, I wanted to join,” Villanyi said. “The Fishers Arts Council is a rewarding experience. We have the ability to create opportunities for local artists to show and sell their art.”
Les Reinhardt, FAC Executive Director, emphasized the impact board members have on Fishers’ growing art community. “I’ve seen the wonderful things we can do, simply based on the incredible people we have on our team,” Reinhardt said. “The ideas that come forward and spring to life, the connections we make with artists of all disciplines, the strong partnerships and relationships in our city and county – it is truly rewarding in so many ways.”
FAC encourages all interested individuals to meet current board members and tour the galleries during its Second Friday GALLERY HOP event on November 8, from 6-8 p.m. at the FAC Hub Gallery in the Hamilton County Community Foundation building (11810 Technology Drive) and the Art Gallery at City Hall (1 Municipal Drive). This event is a chance to explore FAC’s current work, ask questions, and get a firsthand look at the organization’s impact.
Applications for board membership can be submitted online or in print and must be received by December 17, 2024. For more information, visit fishersartscouncil.org/how-to-help or contact FAC directly at info@fishersartscouncil.org or 317-537-1670.
The last time I visited the Fishers Event Center construction site, it was a cold day announcing the Indy Ignite professional women’s volleyball team as a tenant in the building. Now, the facility is nearing completion and one can get a feel for what it will be like to see the touring events, Indy Fuel Hockey, Fishers Freight Indoor Football League action and the volleyball team.
In remarks before invited guests and media, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said 38,000 tickets have already been sold for the touring events, and that does not include the hockey, indoor football or women’s volleyball. The Mudsock rivalry high school basketball contest between HSE and Fishers High Schools will be held at the Event Center December 20 and about 3,000 tickets have already been sold.
“As we stand here today, I couldn’t be more excited,” said Mayor Fadness. “We have a beautiful building that we are going to deliver on time and – knock on wood – on budget.”
Members of the media and other invited guests were given a short tour of the building, particularly to high-priced area. The Event Center is taking reservations for VIP boxes and other amenities available.
The Fishers Event Center is one that still requires a hard hat to visit, but that will change soon – 29 days to be exact.
When attending Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meetings, teachers supporting the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) have worn red-colored clothing. That changed at Wednesday’s board session. HSEA supporters wore black clothes.
Before the meeting, the HSEA team charged with negotiating a contract with the HSE District updated teachers on the first two days of negotiations. On Monday of this week, the HSEA team submitted the first proposal. The administration’s response was not positive. According to the HSEA team, district officials admonished the teachers’ proposal, “scolded” them and said HSEA, you either just don’t understand or don’t believe what (HSE administration) is saying administrators “are not kidding around and that (HSEA) needed to go home and think about it.”
On Tuesday, the talks began again with a proposal from the district that, according to HSEA, did not move at all. The teachers then decided to begin movement in the talks by “cutting down in half” what it wants in the pact. There were productive discussions, but the HSEA team says the district continues not to move at all in these talks.
Given all that, the bargaining team’s goal is to have an agreement by Wednesday next week. If there is no agreement by the deadline, a mediator will be brought in to help bring about an agreement. HSEA says it does not want to go into fact-finding, where the courts determine the contract provisions.
The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board gave final approval to a spending plan for 2025 of $326,339,619. In 2025, the referendum tax rate will rise to its limit, from $0.1895 in 2024 to $0.1995 in 2025.
The support from the state is based on the number of students. The student count is now at 20,698 for the 2024-2025 school year, down from 20,913 in 2023-2024.
During the public comment time, support was voiced for teachers as the district and the local teachers association begin collective bargaining.
You can see the full slide presentation from HSE Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown at this link.
The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board Facilities Committee reviewed a number of issues Wednesday morning, and one item came through loud and clear – once the Fishers Elementary remodel is complete, a redistricting plan will need to be implemented.
The Fishers Elementary project should be completed by the start of school in August of 2026. Deputy Superintendent Matt Kegley said the board should have before it a redistricting plan about this time next year. The process of putting together a redistricting map should start around September of 2025.
The remodel of Fishers Elementary will create a larger student population, requiring changes in district lines. A demographic study is now underway in the HSE District with the results expected to be before the school board in December.
With expected population growth in Wayne Township, Kegley said a redistricting plan will buy time for school officials to determine whether a new intermediate or junior high school will be needed in that area.
HSE Facilities Director Matt Rapp said the huge crane above the Fishers Elementary construction may be the highest point in Fishers right now. HSE and the City of Fishers may need to deal with some drainage issues that come under responsibility of state government, tied to inaccurate topographical maps near the wall on I-69. HSE and Fishers could fix the problem now, not delaying the Fishers Elementary construction, and negotiate with the state later on being reimbursed for those expenses.
In other items before the Facilities Committee:
–The District is working to reduce the number of portable classrooms throughout the corporation. During the school year so far, 1 portable was removed at Fishers Elementary and 3 taken from Hoosier Road Elementary. There are now 27 portable classrooms in use in the HSE District. During the winter break, if weather allows, Brook School Elementary will have 3 portables removed.
–The former Durbin Elementary School will be the site for two HSE programs – FOCUS and the Academy. It will cost an estimated $1.5 million and will be funded through proceeds from a 2021 bond. The Academy and FOCUS are currently in leased space and the rental costs are expected to increase. Durbin cannot be expanded due to the lack of a sewer line hookup, but that may change in years to come if commercial and/or residential development moves closer to the Durbin building.
–The Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate and Junior High (often referred to as the HIJH) will be adding classrooms, with request for proposals to be issued in December and contractor bids expected in January of 2025. This is another effort to eliminate portable classrooms and expand student capacity. The construction period is expected to last 18-24 months, with a possible completion date of August 2026.
Early voting began in early October if you want to travel to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds or the facility in downtown Noblesville.
Early voting begins in Fishers Wednesday. Below is a listing of the days and times you can early vote in Fishers, followed by other locations. If you live in Hamilton County, you are able to early vote at any Hamilton County early voting locations.
Now below is the full listing.
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Roy G Holland Memorial Park Building, 1 Park Drive, Fishers
Wednesday and Thursday, October 23 & 24 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26 from 10 am to 3 pm
Wednesday and Thursday, October 30 & 31 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2 from 10 am to 3 pm
Billericay Park Building, 12690 Promise Road, Fishers
Wednesday and Thursday, October 23 & 24 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26 from 10 am to 3 pm
Wednesday and Thursday, October 30 & 31 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2 from 10 am to 3 pm
Here are the details of early voting in Hamilton County. You may early vote at any Hamilton County early voting location if you reside in Hamilton County:
Judicial Center, One Hamilton County Square, Noblesville
Tuesday thru Friday, October 8 – 11 from 8 am to 4:30 pm
Monday thru Friday, October 14 – 18 from 8 am to 4:30 pm
Monday thru Friday, October 21 – 25 from 8 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday, October 26 from 9 am to 4 pm
Monday thru Friday, October 28 – November 1 from 8 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday, November 2 from 9 am to 4 pm
Monday, November 4 from 8 am to noon
Hamilton County Fairgrounds, Hall C, 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville
Tuesday thru Friday, October 8 – 11 from 9 am to 4 pm
Monday thru Friday, October 14 – 18 from 9 am to 4 pm
Monday thru Saturday, October 21 – 26 from 9 am to 4 pm
Monday thru Saturday, October 28 – November 2 from 9 am to 4 pm
Monday, November 4 from 8 am to noon
Westfield
Westfield City Hall, 130 Penn Street, Westfield
Wednesday and Thursday, October 23 & 24 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26 from 10 am to 3 pm
Wednesday and Thursday, October 30 & 31 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2 from 10 am to 3 pm
Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000-1 E 151st St, Carmel
Wednesday and Thursday, October 23 & 24 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26 from 10 am to 3 pm
Wednesday and Thursday, October 30 & 31 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2 from 10 am to 3 pm
Carmel
Carmel Library, 425 E Main St, Carmel
Wednesday and Thursday, October 23 & 24 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26 from 10 am to 3 pm
Wednesday and Thursday, October 30 & 31 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2 from 10 am to 3 pm
Wilfong Pavilion at Founders Park, 11675 Hazel Dell Pkwy, Building A, Carmel
Wednesday and Thursday, October 23 & 24 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26 from 10 am to 3 pm
Wednesday and Thursday, October 30 & 31 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2 from 10 am to 3 pm
Jill Perelman Pavilion, 3000 W 116th Street, Carmel
Wednesday and Thursday, October 23 & 24 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26 from 10 am to 3 pm
Wednesday and Thursday, October 30 & 31 from 2 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2 from 10 am to 3 pm
The Fishers Event Center construction is moving into the final stages, with the opening 30 days away. Mitch List, General Manager of the Fishers Center, along with members of his staff, provided an update Monday to the Town Hall Building Corporation on the state of construction.
The Fishers Freight Indoor Football League (IFL) team should have its schedule announced by the end of October. List describes the schedule as “favorable” to the Fishers franchise. The Indy Ignite women’s volleyball team has a draft schedule, not yet announced, but changes are expected.
The Event Center is staffed 100% with full time employees and 85% staffed for part time openings. The budget is expected to be $300,000 ahead of schedule, or under budget, at the end of the year.
Several media events are scheduled between now and the opening of the Event Center, and others involving the public are expected before the opening of the new facility.
List told the Corporation board members that sales for all the events scheduled with tickets on sale are going well, with many sold out already. About 3,000 tickets have been sold for the December 20th Mudsock rivalry basketball game between HSE and Fishers High Schools, with ticket sales expected to pick up as we are closer to the date of the contest.
Lincoln Square Pancake House, with a number of locations in Central Indiana, will be locating a restaurant in Fishers on 96th Street.
Fishers Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner told the Town Hall Building Corporation Monday that the Lincoln Square operation in Fishers will be in a building east of Lantern Road on 96th Street.
It is not clear when the location plans to open, but Baumgartner tells LarryInFishers the firm has cleared a number of hurdles, including obtaining the proper permits.
Critical Role, a leading force in innovative storytelling, has announced a slate of live shows for 2025 in partnership with AEG Presents and Frontier Touring. The shows, running from April through October, will take place in five cities worldwide, with a stop at the newly opened Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana, on August 2, 2025.
Tickets for the Fishers event will go on sale starting Monday, October 28 at 10 a.m. local time for Beacon members. A local presale will follow on Tuesday, October 29, with general sales beginning Wednesday, October 30 at this link.
The 2025 tour coincides with Critical Role’s 10th anniversary. What began as a group of voice actors playing a tabletop game has evolved into a fast-growing media company centered on storytelling and community. This global tour provides an opportunity for fans, known as “Critters,” to experience unique live events.
The Fishers show will be Critical Role’s first one-shot adventure set in Exandria, powered by the new Daggerheart roleplaying game from Darrington Press. The show will feature Critical Role’s original cast, led by Game Master Matthew Mercer, and will include a mix of characters from across Exandria.
“Embarking on a global journey to bring Critical Role to the stage in brand new cities with our ragtag group of adventurers is nothing short of a dream,” said Marisha Ray, Co-founder and Creative Director at Critical Role. “Let alone during our tenth year of telling stories together; I couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate!”
Following the success of the Mighty Nein Reunion show at London’s OVO Arena Wembley in 2023, Eliza-Jane Oliver, Promoter at AEG Presents, shared her excitement: “We couldn’t be happier to be working with Critical Role to bring these shows to life and to give Critters the chance to experience Critical Role Live.”