I think it’s time to share some good news today.  Our local schools, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) District, had the first day of classes Wednesday and as far as I can determine, everything went smoothly.

As a reminder, that hasn’t happened every school year.  I recall a few years ago when Fishers High School suffered a localized power outage that didn’t make the opening day a pleasant one for Principal Jason Urban and his staff, but they got through that difficult day and had a good school year.

When there is a smooth first day of school, that doesn’t happen automatically.  It is the result of hard work and the cooperation of central office personnel, building administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and, of course, the students.

It was a special day for well over 100 new teachers to the district.  Let’s hope their HSE careers get out to a good start.

I have had some bad news to report lately that has not enhanced our local community’s reputation state-wide and even nationally.  Let’s back our HSE staff as the school year gets underway and is off to a good start!

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools announced late Friday morning the special board meeting scheduled for 7am, Wednesday, August 30, has been cancelled.  The only item on the agenda was the proposed removal of the HSE Schools appointee to the Hamilton East Library, Andre Miksha.

There is no word on whether this simply postpones the proposed action by the board president or if the matter is being shelved for now.

In an e-mail, Mr. Miksha says as of 2pm Friday, he has received no communication from HSE Board President Dawn Lang since August 2nd, so he was not informed the August 30 meeting had been cancelled until he found out elsewhere.

In a statement posted on her Facebook account, HSE Board President Dawn Lang does not directly address the cancellation of the August 30th board meeting, but reiterates the need to pass the November election school funding referendum so the district does not lose roughly $26 million annually. Lang says the referendum should be the priority “right now.”

Here is the text of Dawn Lang’s full statement, posted on her school board Facebook page:

=====

When Indianapolis-based author John Green sent a social media message saying “You won’t catch me alive or dead in Fishers” until the Hamilton East Library Board reverses its policy that removed his book from the teen section, and it was reported in the state’s largest newspaper, The Indianapolis Star, that was not a positive development for the image of our city.

When People Magazine posted a story about this dispute on its national Web site, that was even worse news for our city.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, there is now a T-Shirt being sold with the quote in large letters, according to a story posted on the WISH-TV News Web site.

Even though Fishers is singled out in this story, it is important to remind everyone the City of Fishers does not appoint any of the Hamilton East Library Board members.  There are two appointees each by the Noblesville School Board, Hamilton County Commissioners and the Hamilton County Council.  The Hamilton Southeastern School Board appoints one member.

As a resident of Fishers since 1991, it is sad to see such a public relations nightmare for my city, which consists of so many good people.  I try to be an optimist when I can, but it is difficult to see a positive way out of this situation.

It is a bit disheartening to see the Hamilton County Highway Department feels there is a need to say this, but it appears local people walking and riding bicycles are using the construction zone at 146th Street & Allisonville Road.  Officials warn local residents of the dangers involved in entering this area.

Below is the full text of the statement issued Wednesday:

=========

 Our field personnel have reported a large number of bicycle and pedestrian traffic within closed construction limits at 146^th Street and Allisonville Road. This is an active construction zone where bicycle and  pedestrian traffic is prohibited. Signage indicating “No Pedestrians or Bicycles” has been installed at all ends of the project.

Our goal is to keep our workers, motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe during construction. Reminding people to be cognizant of their surroundings and obeying the closure limits is of utmost importance. Even with proper PPE that our construction crews are wearing, it could be hazardous. Please keep yourself safe and out of harm’s way by finding an alternate route.

I have been busy with family matters in recent days and haven’t had time to write about what is happening with the Hamilton East Library lately, so the Indianapolis Star has published two stories, one on moving a John Green book from the youth to the general collection of the library, and another about the efforts to remove a library board member.

First, Rachel Fradette wrote a story posted Wednesday on the IndyStar Web site about John Green’s reaction to having his book, “The Fault in Our Stars,” moved from the teen section to the general collection of the Hamilton East Libraries.  This is part of implementing the policy handed down by the library board to review every book in the teen section, and evaluate each book’s content based on the board’s policy of suitability for teens.

Green’s response came on Twitter (now known as X).  He pulled no punches:

“This is ludicrous.  It is about teenagers and I wrote it for teenagers. Teenagers are not harmed by reading TFIOS.”

The second part of Mr. Green’s Tweet will be unsettling to officials in Fishers:

“I only have a small voice in these decisions, of course, but you won’t catch me alive or dead in Fishers, Indiana until these ridiculous policies are revoked,  which I guess means no Top Golf or IKEA for a while.”

Read Ms. Fradette’s story at this link.

The second story was co-written by Rachel Fradette & John Tuohy, posted on the IndyStar Web site Wednesday afternoon.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board has scheduled a 7am meeting Wednesday August 30, for a public hearing, citing a state statute addressing the removal of library board members in Indiana.

Andre Miksha was appointed to the Hamilton East Library Board by the previous HSE Board President Julie Chambers.  According to the Star reporting, Miksha has been told by current Board President Dawn Lang that she intends to remove him as the school district’s representative on the Hamilton East Board  because of his voting record.

I have reached out to Mr. Miksha for any comment ahead of the August 30 meeting, but he declined at this time, saying he will make his case before the school board August 30.

For the in-depth and well reported story, use this link.

(NOTE:  You may have difficulty accessing the IndyStar stories linked above if your are not a subscriber.  Online subscriptions to the IndyStar are very inexpensive.  I encourage you to support your local media.)

Supporting teachers and politics have come together and created a controversy within Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools.

It all started with a news release issued Wednesday morning from a local organization, Fishers One, accusing HSE Board Member Sarah Parks-Reese with social media messages on her school board Facebook account,  encouraging people to buy car magnets going to a fund supporting HSE Teachers, when the money was going to a political action committee for the local group HSEqual.

Ms. Parks-Reese responds that HSEqual has committed and publicly stated that all proceeds from the sale of these car magnets will be donated by the HSEqual Political Action Committee (PAC) to the HSE Foundation to help fund additional teacher grant opportunities.  “I honestly can’t think of a better way to support our teachers with both visual and financial support,” said Parks-Reese.

For those that may be “uncomfortable” with using the HSEqual PAC as a conduit to support HSE teachers, Parks-Reese says it “is not in my ability to regulate or control.  There is no law or policy that prohibits any group from fundraising in the name of teachers, nor is there a law that specifies what financial conduit that group can or cannot use.”

As to using her HSE Facebook page to encourage purchases of the car magnets, Parks-Reese contends that doing so “does not violate Indiana Code or HSE District policy and for any group to claim or infer that I was being dishonest or disingenuous in my post is a personal attack.”

Fishers One, in its Wednesday release, described HSEqual as “a far-left leaning organization.”  Jaimie Cairnes of HSEqual responds,”HSEqual is not a far anything organization. We are an organization committed to supporting equity in our schools.”

Ms.Cairnes says HSEqual used the PAC as a conduit to support teachers because it easier to process payments.  She adds that the HSEqual PAC will be announcing a contribution to the group supporting the upcoming school referendum, the Advance HSE PAC.  So far, Fishers One has not supported the upcoming operating referendum for HSE Schools.

Fishers Police apprehended four juveniles in connection with a string of vehicle break-ins at the Napleton KIA of Fishers parking lot located at 13417 Britton Park Road. The incident occurred in the early hours Sunday, prompting a response from law enforcement.

Officers were dispatched to the scene around 5:00 am after receiving alerts from the Napleton KIA security video monitoring system, which had captured footage of several individuals breaking into parked vehicles. Upon arrival, officers observed one suspect fleeing on foot across the property. Simultaneously, a black 2014 Kia Soul exited the parking lot, catching the attention of the law enforcement team.

A perimeter was swiftly established as officers initiated a search for the fleeing suspect. Despite deploying a K-9 unit and a drone to assist in the search efforts, the suspect managed to evade capture. In a parallel development, other officers spotted the stolen black Kia Soul fleeing the scene, prompting a pursuit that led onto SR 37.

The pursuit came to an abrupt end near the SR 37/I-69 interchange, as the suspect vehicle crashed, allowing four individuals to flee on foot. The driver of the stolen vehicle was swiftly apprehended, while Fishers and Noblesville Police Departments collaborated to set up a perimeter and locate the remaining suspects. The assistance of a Noblesville K-9 unit proved instrumental in locating three of the suspects hiding in a trash dumpster.

All four suspects, identified as juveniles, were taken into custody, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing. The stolen black Kia Soul was traced back to a residence in Indianapolis, adding another layer to the unfolding story. In total, officers identified six damaged vehicles in the Napleton KIA parking lot, with two vehicles having smashed windows and five showing signs of interior damage, including harm to the steering column and ignition switch.

One juvenile suspect, 16, faces a number of charges, including Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Resisting Law Enforcement – Fleeing, Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle,  Auto Theft, Criminal Mischief and Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License.  Two juveniles, 14, and one age 15, are charged with Resisting Law Enforcement – Fleeing, Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle, Auto Theft and Criminal Mischief.    

Fishers Police Department is urging anyone with additional information regarding this incident to come forward, as they continue their investigation into the vehicle break-ins.

Storms are possible (slight risk) in southern Hamilton County early Monday morning.  That’s the word from Hamilton County Emergency Management in a message sent around 2:30om Sunday.

Below is the full text of that statement:

======

We continue to monitor the latest forecast and model runs for this evening’s severe weather potential. There is a slight risk of severe weather for the county’s southern half. The main threats are damaging winds and heavy rainfall producing localized flooding. The timing for the most intense weather in Hamilton County is estimated to be between midnight and 3:00 a.m.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit www.ready.gov.

Both Fishers and Noblesville are moving ahead with plans for events centers anchored by minor league sports teams…Fishers with Indy Fuel hockey and Noblesville with Mad Ants basketball.  In a story appearing on the front page of the Sunday, August 6, edition of the Indianapolis Star, reporter John Tuohy checks with people behind the Fishers and Noblesville facilities, plus several independent experts, on how the facilities may fare in today’s market.

All appear to agree that the sports teams will only be a part of the income stream coming to support these venues, that other events, particularly music concerts, will provide the remainder of the revenue.  The question is whether the Indianapolis metro market can support all the facilities we have, plus two more.

Tuohy points out that neither Fishers nor Noblesville conducted an economic feasibility study prior to committing to their respective facilities.  But, the City of Fort Wayne did conduct such a study.

The Fort Wayne report found a new facility for the Mad Ants downtown would only attract about 10 events a year, since most bands would prefer to book the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne instead.  The Mad Ants have been playing in the Coliseum, drawing an average of 2,485 fans per game.

Tuohy quotes Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen and Leonard Bonacci, regional director of stadiums for ASM Global (they will book events for the Fishers Events Center) saying each facility should be able to book enough dates to keep the venues busy.

Also quoted in the piece are independent experts such as Walter Franco, principal at Victus Advisors… Mark Rosentraub, director of the Center for Sports Venues & Real Estate Development at the University of Michigan…Roger Noll, a Stanford University professor emeritus in economics…and Randy Brown, former general manager of the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

The experts speculate on the type of acts that may appear in the Fishers facility, including John Mellencamp, Goo Goo Dolls, Chicago, Styx, Alabama and Brad Paisley.

You can read the entire story by using this link  (NOTE: You may have difficulty accessing this story if you are not a subscriber of the IndyStar….online subscriptions are very inexpensive…subscribe to your local media!)

The map above and information below is from the Hamilton County Highway Department on the progress at 146th Street & Allisonville Road: