There are a total of 6 candidates running in the 2024 Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board election. All 6 agreed to record a podcast with me, something that has not always happened since I began podcasting in February of 2016.
First, my sincere thanks to the Hamilton East Library in Fishers. The staff at the Ignite area has been wonderful in helping me schedule these podcast recording sessions in their AV Studio.
I should also mention that public radio station WFYI and Current Publishing will be sponsoring a debate with the HSE School board candidates October 10, 7pm, at City Hall. Tickets are already sold out for this event but WFYI will livestream the debate.
I have now recorded podcasts with all 6 candidates. As a reminder, all voters residing within the Hamilton Southeastern School District vote on all 3 township board contests.
Here are the candidates, with links to their respective podcasts:
Watch for a change in the traffic pattern at the 96th Street & Allisonville Road construction site. Fishers says the roundabout should be fully open to traffic by late October/early November.
Here is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:
Prior to the start of formal negotiations between a school district and teachers’ union in Indiana, the law requires the school board to hold a public hearing prior to the first formal bargaining session.
The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board posted on the district Web site plans to hold the public hearing required before the first bargaining session at 6pm, Tuesday, October 1, at the school administration building on Cumberland Road.
If you wish to comment before the formal negotiations begin, this is your chance to be heard.
The Fishers Events Center is moving closer to opening, with the first event slated for Friday, November 22, featuring the country music group Turnpike Troubadours. The facility will also be home to the Indy Fuel hockey team, which will start its home season in early December.
The center is in the market for more part-time staff for the many events already on the calendar and those yet to be announced. Below is a listing of jobs, provided by the Events Center, for anyone interested in some part-time money:
===========
AVAILABLE PART-TIME ROLES AND APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Bartender, Ticket Seller, Guest Services Coordinators, Premium Crew, Concert Runners, Ice Crew, Zamboni Drivers, Operations Crew, Cooks, Suite Attendants, Dish Washer, Warehouse Runner, Suite Runner, Culinary Supervisor, Food & Beverage Supervisor, Premium Services Supervisor, Ticket Office Supervisor. Click here for more information and to apply, or reach out to hr@ASMFishers.com for all inquiries.
LAZ Parking is hiring an Event Ambassador and Event Supervisor for Fishers Event Center.
More information and application details here.
Andy Frain Services is hiring 24-hour security and event staff for Fishers Event Center.
More information and application details here.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
The Fishers Event Center will host a wide variety of community events and concerts spanning genres including theater, sports, comedy, family, country, rock and more. The venue’s size allows it to accommodate legendary shows in an intimate setting, as well as newer artists on the brink of big success. Upcoming events include:
Country band Turnpike Troubadours (Friday, Nov. 22)
Legendary country rock band Alabama (Monday, Dec. 9)
The annual Mudsock Rivalry Basketball Game between the Fishers High School Tigers and the Hamilton Southeastern Royals (Friday, Dec. 20)
Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic ice experience CRYSTAL (January 23-26, 2025)
Country star Megan Moroney (April 24, 2025)
…and much more to be announced soon.
For a full list of upcoming events and ticket information, visitFishersEventCenter.com. Fans can sign up for the venue newsletter to stay informed of event announcements and presale options.
Family historians, genealogists, and enthusiasts from across the region will gather for the inaugural Family History Day Genealogy Conference on Saturday, October 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Noblesville Library. Hosted by the Crossroads Discovery Center at the Hamilton East Public Library (HEPL), the event will offer a full day of educational sessions, expert-led discussions, and networking opportunities for individuals passionate about tracing their family history.
The conference will cover a wide range of topics, including the use of census data, newspapers, DNA, cemetery research, and land records. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts, ask questions, and interact with historical, genealogical, and lineage groups present at the event. The gathering aims to create a supportive community for both beginners and seasoned genealogists to share their experiences and discoveries.
Keynote Speaker and Featured Guests
Headlining the event is Juliana Szucs, a well-known genealogist and expert with Ancestry.com, whose work has earned recognition in the field of family history research. Additional featured speakers include:
JaKobi Burton, Indiana African American Genealogy Group
Nancy Massey, Hamilton County Genealogist
Kamia Jackson, Program Committee Chair of Indiana African American Genealogy Group (IAAGG)
Lauren Peightel, Manager of Engagement at Indiana Historical Society
Amber Oldenburg, One Branch at a Time Genealogy
Glory-June Greiff, Historian-At-Large
Educational Sessions for All Skill Levels
The conference will offer sessions tailored to various levels of experience, ensuring that both newcomers and experienced genealogists can benefit. Topics include:
Tuning Into the DNA of Your Ancestors
Navigating Federal Census Records
Genealogy Next Steps: Digging Deeper
Breaking the Silence: Understanding One Man’s Naval Experience in World War II
Land For the Landless: Homestead Records and How to Use Them
Sermons in Stones: The Symbolism of Grave Markers and Cemetery Art
A Chance to Deepen Your Family History Research
Attendees will gain valuable knowledge and resources to advance their genealogical research. Whether they are just starting their family history journey or are seasoned researchers, participants will leave with new insights, tools, and strategies to further their work.
“The Crossroads Discovery Center staff are thrilled to offer this free genealogy conference right here at the Noblesville Library,” said Ann Grilliot, Assistant Manager of the Crossroads Discovery Center. “Learn from top-notch speakers, connect with fellow researchers, and discover more about local history and genealogy groups. Wherever your ancestors are from, you’ll find new ways to uncover family history.”
Registration Details
The Family History Day Genealogy Conference is free and open to the public. Interested individuals can register at hamiltoneastpl.org.
Hamilton County has introduced a cutting-edge locution system for its 911 services, a move designed to dramatically enhance communication and response times for first responders. The countywide rollout aims to streamline dispatching, allowing emergency teams to receive critical information with greater speed and accuracy.
The new system automates emergency alerts, delivering key details like the location and nature of an incident the moment a call is received. This automation reduces response times and ensures that first responders can act without unnecessary delays. One of the key features of the system is its ability to facilitate “zoned” dispatching, meaning only the necessary personnel for a specific emergency will be alerted, reducing interruptions to others.
“We are excited to introduce this system to our county’s emergency response teams,” said Mike Hubbs, Director of the 911 Communications Department. “This system not only enhances our operational efficiency but also improves the service we provide to our community. By reducing the time it takes to dispatch responders, we are ultimately saving lives.”
The locution system’s innovative technology also allows dispatchers to maintain direct communication with callers while simultaneously sending out emergency alerts. This ensures that vital information can be relayed in real time, without compromising response speed.
“Our goal with this rollout is to ensure that our responders have the tools they need to perform their duties effectively,” Hubbs added. “With this system in place, we are taking a significant step forward in modernizing our dispatch operations and improving overall safety for our residents.”
The implementation of the locution system marks a significant leap in Hamilton County’s commitment to emergency services, reflecting the county’s focus on utilizing technology to protect and serve its community more efficiently.
The proposed Innovation Charter School has been a point of discussion throughout the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School community. Steve Loser is the Director of K-12 Initiatives for HSE. He sat down with me for a podcast to discuss what is under consideration by the HSE School Board and administration with the nonprofit organization Opportunity Education.
Latrica Schooley is becoming a candidate for office for the first time, running for the at-large school board seat from Delaware Township. Below is the link to my podcast discussion with Latrica Schooley.
It was standing room only as red-shirted teachers filled the board room
Tim Brown reported to his new job as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools July 1 of this year, and at Wednesday night’s school board work session, he unveiled his 2025 budget proposal totaling $326,339,619. He proposes to keep the property tax rate the same as 2024, $1.1433.
New salary and benefit costs were over $11 million in 2023-24, according to Brown’s board presentation. Without significant changes made, Brown says the Education and Operation Funds will continue to have “structural deficits.” In the short term, the temporary solution is to spend cash balances.
Brown made clear dipping into cash reserves cannot be a long-term solution.
Brown recommends a “budget study committee” be formed to look into spending cuts. He expects it will take “multiple years” to correct the budget issues.
CFO Brown went into much more detail. His PowerPoint presentation is available at this link.
Before the board work session, the President of the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA), Abby Taylor, told a group of teachers the union asked for the budget materials in advance, but received the CFO’s presentation at the same time as the public, a few hours before the board session Wednesday. She says her bargaining team will study the numbers and look at the pool of money available for teacher compensation as contract talks begin.
“We did not spend $11 million when we bargained last year,” Taylor told the assembled teachers. “It’s coming out of the Education Fund, which is principals, new admin that was added, and the positions that we added for Special Ed & ENL (English as a new language). We’re not overspending based on what we bargained.”
Craig Frawley, a leader in the HSEA bargaining team, said the attorneys representing the school district told his team, “It’s going to be a lean year.”
But Frawley added, “We are very hopeful it will be a smooth process.”
HSEA said 180 teachers and HSEA supporters filled the board room attending the work session Wednesday. I did not count them all, but the red-shirts filled the board room.
CFO Tim Brown presents the 2025 budget before the board
Suzanne Thomas is finishing-up her first 4-year term on the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board and seeks another term on the board. She sat down with Larry to talk about her campaign.
