Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools appear poised to participate in the revised Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) program following significant changes enacted by the State of Indiana. Deputy Superintendent Matt Kegley outlined proposed updates to the district’s written policy Wednesday night to allow HSE to take part in the revamped program.

Previously, teachers rated “effective” or “highly effective” on their annual performance evaluations were eligible for TAG payments, meaning a large share of HSE educators typically qualified. Under new state rules, the size of each grant increases substantially—ranging from $3,500 to $7,500—but no more than 20% of a district’s teaching staff may receive an award. For HSE, Kegley said that caps eligibility at about 236 teachers.

HSE has filed the required application with the State Board of Education to join the program. Teachers wishing to be considered must complete an internal application developed by the district administration by January 7. Administrators will review submissions, and once the state informs HSE how much money has been allocated locally, the district expects to announce recipients and award amounts in early 2026.

Kegley said applications from teachers in special education, English as a new language, and those recognized as Teachers of the Year will receive priority consideration, though all eligible teacher applications will be reviewed.

The Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) opposed the state’s TAG changes, and the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) said its members were “nearly unanimous” in advising against HSE participating in the new program.

Participation in TAG is optional for school districts. Edinburgh Schools, for example, has chosen not to participate this year.

Kegley noted that changes of this nature would typically be reviewed by the board’s Policy Committee. However, with the board set to reorganize officers and committee assignments in early 2026, no Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for January. Board members with questions or concerns were asked to contact Kegley prior to a final vote on the TAG policy change at the January board meeting.

Mother Nature is poised to drop another round of snow on the Fishers area Thursday and Friday, with 2–5 inches forecast. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 5 p.m. Thursday through 10 a.m. Friday.

After the snow moves through, bitterly cold temperatures will settle in for the weekend. Overnight lows Saturday are expected to fall to around -2 degrees, not including wind chill. Sunday’s high is forecast to reach only 9 degrees, with temperatures dropping to about -1 Sunday night. A gradual warming trend is expected to begin Monday.

Drivers should be prepared for slippery roads Thursday evening into Friday morning. Anyone spending time outdoors this weekend is urged to dress appropriately for dangerous cold.

When a school district is required to redraw boundary lines, the process is often difficult for at least some of the neighborhoods affected. Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools concluded its months-long redistricting effort for elementary, intermediate, and junior high schools Wednesday night, but not without making changes to the previously proposed maps.

District administrators and Woolpert, the consultant hired to guide the process, had published what they described as a final set of recommended maps. However, concerns persisted among several neighborhoods. In response, Woolpert and school officials made targeted adjustments, presenting an alternative option for the board’s consideration.

Once that alternative recommendation was introduced, Board Member Suzanne Thomas offered an amendment allowing students in the Woods at Geist Overlook neighborhood to remain assigned to Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate and Junior High School (HIJH).  The amendment was approved.

High school boundaries remain unchanged, and the district’s “choice” system—allowing students to select which high school they attend—will continue for now. Several board members, however, cautioned that the choice system may not be sustainable in future years, and that high school redistricting may eventually be necessary.

Board members also noted that the newly approved maps, which Woolpert initially projected could remain in place for up to seven years, may require reconsideration in as few as five years due to enrollment shifts.

The updated boundaries will take effect for the 2026–2027 school year. District administrators will now begin planning transition efforts to help students adjust as they move to new school assignments.

For a detailed look at the process of putting the new maps together, use this link.

Fishers City Councilor At-Large Tiffanie A. Hill Ditlevson has formed an exploratory committee as she considers entering the race for the Indiana State Senate District 31 seat. The seat is currently held by Sen. Kyle Walker, who announced he will not seek another term.

Ditlevson, a decorated Air Force combat veteran, entrepreneur, and community advocate, said she was surprised by Walker’s decision and praised his time in office.

“Kyle Walker has served with integrity, thoughtfulness, and a deep commitment to delivering real results for Hoosier families,” Ditlevson said in her announcement. “I’m deeply surprised and saddened to see him step away, and I honor his service to our community. After the November 2020 caucus for this seat, Senator Walker encouraged me to stay active in politics, and I remain grateful for his guidance and kindness.”

Ditlevson said she is weighing a run after receiving encouragement from residents and community leaders throughout the district, which includes portions of Fishers and Indianapolis.

She emphasized a desire to offer “strong, relatable, service-driven leadership that reflects [the district’s] diversity.”

“Serving District 31 has been a goal since 2020,” she said. “My entire 18 years in Indiana have been rooted in living in Fishers, being a working mom, attending church at St. Matthew in Indianapolis, helping families in crisis, and making connections with Cathedral High School families during my daughter’s cheerleading career. I’m committed to learning, listening, and continuing to improve the lives of Hoosiers.”

Ditlevson is the second Fishers official to express interest in the seat. Hamilton Southeastern School Board President Juanita Albright announced her candidacy shortly after Walker said he would not run again.

When I first heard about the financial situation at Martin University, my mind went back to my family’s connection to the Brightwood neighborhood on Avondale Place. My brother Tom and I grew up in half a double with our parents until I was about 5, directly across the street from my mother’s parents.

Just a short walk from my grandparents’ home was St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. My grandfather counted the collection money on Sundays, and my grandmother handled the cash at the parish’s fundraising bingo games—clear signs of how much the priests trusted them. Only a select few were asked to manage parish finances.

My grandmother also cooked meals, did laundry, and handled a variety of domestic tasks for the priests living at the parish. My mother graduated from the parish elementary school.

By the mid-1950s, my parents had saved enough to buy a house, and we moved out of the double. My grandparents stayed until construction of Interstate 70 forced the demolition of their home. St. Francis de Sales, however, survived the highway project and remained standing just yards away.

As manufacturing jobs disappeared, the working-class neighborhood changed, and St. Francis de Sales struggled. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis ultimately closed the church and school on June 30, 1983.

The church building itself is stunning, known for its German and French Gothic architecture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Today, it serves as the Father Boniface Hardin Gathertorium at Martin University.

Martin University began at 35th Street and College Avenue before moving in 1987 to the former St. Francis de Sales Church and school campus in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood, where it remains at 2171 N. Avondale Place/N. Sherman Drive. I was always pleased to see the church and school buildings put to meaningful use.

The university is named for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and St. Martin de Porres. It was founded by Reverend Father Boniface Hardin and Sister Jane Schilling to serve low-income, minority, and adult learners who faced barriers to traditional higher education.

That mission is why I was disheartened to learn from recent news reports that Martin University will be forced to “pause” operations at the end of the current semester. School leaders say the institution needs additional community and financial support to continue.

Martin University is Indiana’s only Predominantly Black Institution (PBI). It serves nontraditional students striving to improve their lives and their communities. The university has even provided day care services to ensure students have a safe place for their children while attending class.

I understand the Indianapolis metropolitan area has many pressing needs, and philanthropic dollars are stretched. Still, I hope the community can find a way to keep Martin University operating, serving those who rely on its mission and opportunities.

My family’s connection to this area dates to 1951. Now we will see whether Indianapolis responds.

When the Fishers Freight were announced as a new franchise joining the Indoor Football League (IFL) for the 2025 season, I wanted to learn more about the league—its rules, its style of play, and how fans followed the action. In 2024, every IFL game was available for free on YouTube, giving anyone with an Internet connection easy access and significantly boosting the league’s visibility.

For 2025, the league shifted its media strategy. Partnering with a San Diego tech firm, the IFL launched the subscription-based IFL Network. While putting games behind a paywall reduced the league’s casual reach, it also added value to its content. By April of last year, the league announced it had attracted 15,000 subscribers—a solid start for a brand-new platform.

Before the Freight’s inaugural season, I interviewed IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon, who emphasized the league’s long-term objective: securing broadcast and streaming contracts to elevate the IFL’s national profile. Two recent announcements show how the league plans to expand its television presence beginning in 2026.

On November 20, the IFL and FanDuel revealed a major deal to stream 60 games on the FanDuel streaming service next season, including a weekly Sunday night matchup. FanDuel will also carry the league’s championship game and the Western Conference title game.

That left 59 additional games to be placed elsewhere. On December 9, the IFL announced a second partnership—this time with Yahoo!Sports. The league will produce those remaining games for distribution on the new Yahoo!Sports streaming network, which will also broadcast the Eastern Conference Championship.

Yahoo!Sports is a relatively new streaming platform available on numerous services, including Amazon Fire TV, Fubo, LG Channels, Plex, Prime Video, Sling Freestream, and The Roku Channel.

A full game-by-game broadcast schedule has not yet been released, but the league has time before the 2026 season kicks off in March. The Fishers Freight open their season at home on Saturday, March 14, against the Quad City Steamwheelers.