The City of Fishers is looking to fill 100 summer seasonal jobs.  Both full-time and part-time positions are available.

The 2022 primary election day in Indiana is Tuesday, Mary 3rd, but voters in Fishers have a chance to vote early starting Wednesday, April 20th.  The locations will be Roy G Holland Memorial Park Building, 1 Park Drive, Fishers…and Billericay Park Building, 12690 Promise Road.

Here are the hours for Fishers early voting

April 20-21 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
April 22-23 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
April 27-28 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
April 29-30 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Fishers City Council looked on as a long-time civilian employee of the police department was recognized and a group of high school students presented 3 global trends.

Tammy King, a 20-year civilian employee of the Fishers Police Department, received an award for her service to the department.

Also, a group of local high school students, members of the Mayor’s Youth Academy, presented their top 3 global trends to council members.  They are: Eco-Awareness, Housing and Civic Education.

An early morning Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board work about student handbook language for grades kindergarten through 8th grade morphed into a school board discussion about dress codes and when a girl’s shirt is too short.

Board member Janet Pritchett began the conversation saying some students are missing class time due to being pulled away after to concerns about possible dress code violations for wearing shirts cut off above the waist.

Board President Julie Chambers indicated the slight cutoff of a shirt should not prevent a student from being in class.  She would like more information on who is being disciplined for dress code violations.

Superintendent Yvonne Stokes said safety is important in relation to any dress code, particularly in this era of COVID.

Board Member Suzanne Thomas asked why the district couldn’t have a policy of no midriff showing for anyone while in school.  Chambers responded that definitions of “midriff’ may not be the same for everyone.

One building administrator told the board most male teachers in his school wouldn’t touch the dress code issue.  Another administrator said dress code issues are only about 1% of what he handles in his building.

“How people are dressed has little to no effect on how they’re learning in a classroom,” Board Member Brad Boyer said.

Board member Sarah Donsbach argued that girls are being “disproportionately impacted” by the dress code rules.

CFO Katie Dowling cautioned board members to be aware of liability issues tied to all this.  She pointed to the board discussion as to how different people define midriff different ways.

The dictionary definition of midriff is, “the region of the front of the body between the chest and the waist.”

An administrator also suggested the board consider what specific people and families are comfortable with any dress code, and factor-in the issue of diversity into the mix.

Before the dress code discussion, administrators explained proposed handbook changes for grades K-8, dealing with attendance, academics and adding language about disciplinary  actions for micro-aggressions and hate speech.

It is now up to administrators to take the many board comments and propose handbook language for board approval.

When the Fishers City Council was briefed on plans for a new City Hall Monday night, I noticed something interesting about the rendering shown above.  The sign at the front of the building says “Arts and Municipal Complex.”  The words City Hall are not there.

In a podcast recorded Monday morning, Mayor Scott Fadness said, ““This is going to be an arts center with a few offices above it.”  Thus, the word “Arts” precedes the reference to “Municipal Complex.”

That is the vision for the new structure explained to council members.  Architect Jeremy Welu, a partner and co-founder of DELV Design, reviewed several renderings of what the finished product will look like once completed in March of 2024.

Welu described the breezeway between the 250 seat auditorium and the part of the building that will house city officials and staff.  The entire first floor will be dedicated to the arts.

When questioned about any supply-chain issues in obtaining needed material for construction, Kevin McGovern of Meyer-Najem said the plans contain contingencies built into the project just in case such issues arise.

The current City Hall is sinking, according to engineering studies, and the cost of keeping the current structure afloat would be prohibitive over time, says Mayor Fadness.  As a result, plans were launched last year to put together plans for a new center of Fishers City government.

Just don’t call it a City Hall.

Here are more artist renderings of the complex:

“This is going to be an arts center with a few offices above it.”  That’s how Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness described the new City Hall/Arts Center planned in downtown Fishers.

Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren joined the mayor on this podcast for a detailed look at how the new facility is coming together.

The Senior Showcase, featuring art from seniors at Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern High School, is back for its 13th year.  The artwork will be on display at Fishers City Hall through April 29th, and can be viewed on business days 8:30am-4:30pm.

There will be a public reception Friday, April 22nd, 6:00-7:30pm at City Hall.  Live music will be provided by Photo 51, formed by students from Fishers High School. Following the reception there will be an awards ceremony at 7:30 pm in the auditorium of Fishers City Hall where City Council President Todd Zimmerman and Marquisha Bridgeman, Community Relations Manager of STAR Bank will present the awards.

Award categories are Best of Show; Art Best Reflecting the Written Word; First, Second, Third Place and Honorable Mention for 3D art, Drawing, Painting and Photography. Combined, there are 50 student artists whose work is on display, truly showcasing the incredible talent of our graduating seniors.

As the title sponsor, STAR Bank will be providing scholarship awards for Best of Show ($500) along with First Place awards in each category ($250 each). Four Day Ray Brewing will be sponsoring all Third Place awards ($100 each). Second Place awards ($150 each) are sponsored by Cordoba Strategy Group, Propeller Marketing, and Schoolhouse 7 Café. Fishers Arts Council board Vice President, Tom Rich, is sponsoring all honorable mention awards ($50 each).

I posted a story on this blog last Thursday about a news release issued by Hamilton County all about new rules governing campaign signs at early voting and voting day locations.

Now, WISH-TV reporter Garrett Bergquist aired a story Friday about concerns some have with the First Amendment issues tied to such restrictions.

The story quotes Hamilton County Democratic Chair Dayna Colbert as voicing those First Amendment free speech concerns to the county election board and the state party.  Berquist also cites comments from Paul Helmke, an IU professor and former mayor of Fort Wayne, saying there appears to be no compelling government interest in restricting the number and size of political signage.   The county defends the legal authority for the County Commissioners to enact such a rule.

You can access the WISH-TV story at this link.

As many of you know, I have been producing podcasts for more than six years, many featuring local Fishers  people talking about what they do in and around the local community.  I have posted three such local podcasts the past week.  Just in case you missed them, here are summaries and links to each.

First, Monica Heltz heads-up the Fishers Health Department and provided an update on the closing of the sites used for mass vaccinations and COVID tests.  Those operations have all been consolidated into one building at Technology Drive and Lantern Road.

Second, the City of Fishers has established an Armed Services Commission made of of 11 members.  Chair of the Commission, El Ahlwardt, and Fishers Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren (also a Commission member) talk about how the body is organizing and putting together its programs.

Finally, the Fishers Parks and Recreation Department has announced its 2022 summer concert series for the Nickel Plate Amphitheater (also known as the AMP), both free and ticketed events.  The concerts charging admission will cost $20 each, $25 the day of the concert.  I spoke with Assistant Parks Director Marissa Deckert and department employee Shannon Jones about this year’s lineup.

Two firms have been providing most custodial services in Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District buildings for the past several years, but the school board Wednesday night voted to conduct a Request for Proposals (RFP) in order to determine what options are available.

Two private companies handle the custodial duties for HSE School buildings.  Those firms are ABM & EMS.  Administrators told board members both companies want to continue their long relationship with HSE, but both companies also warn the contract will cost more due to the demand for workers.

The board was presented with three options by the administration….continue with the two companies to provide most custodial services, bring all custodians in as HSE District employees or use an RFP to solicit proposals.  The board voted to accept proposals, but could opt for another choice once the proposals are in.

Some HSE custodians and custodial supervisors are currently HSE employees.

The school district will advertise for proposals in April, with the paperwork due by May 16.  It is anticipated a contract will be awarded to one or more firms by June 8, with the new contract(s) effective July 1 of this year, assuming the board approves one or more contract bids..