In a brief board meeting Tuesday, Hamilton Southeastern Schools joined the local teachers’ union, the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, in opposing legislation under consideration by the General Assembly that both groups view as a threat to Indiana public school funding.

The board voted unanimously to issue the joint statement, which urges “legislators to oppose these bills, and any other legislation that directs funding away from
Indiana public schools.”  The bills include HB 1005, SB 412 and SB 413.

Board member Sarah Donsbach, the board’s Legislative Liaison, reviewed the details of how the proposed legislation would increase funding for families with children in nonpublic schools and would increase the income range, allowing families with higher incomes to qualify for state subsidies for nonpublic schools.

“It greatly expands the income eligibility for students to be able to participate in this Choice program,” Donsbach told fellow board members. “That risks the public schools losing a large amount of funding in the process.”

HB 1005 has passed the Indiana House by a vote of 61-38.  It is now under consideration in the Senate.

On another matter, President Janet Pritchett says the board has started interviewing candidates for superintendent, with those interviews starting last week and wrapping-up this week.  The board expects to make a choice, enter into contract negotiations and “hopefully” announce the new superintendent March 24.

“I just want to reiterate how pleased we are with our candidates,” Pritchett said.  “They are very strong and we are very, very excited to have them and we’re going to have a really, really difficult choice.”

Current Superintendent Allen Bourff has announced his intention to retire at the end of June this year.

You can view the entire joint resolution below.

Continue reading HSE School Board, local teachers’ union issue joint statement aimed at state lawmakers →

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Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County is likely to have a new court soon, assuming the state legislature approves. It will be Superior Court 7, the judge of which will be appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb.

The increasing case load is the reason given for the county’s request for the additional court. Hamilton County currently has a Circuit Court and six superior courts. There is space in the Judicial Center for one more court.

County Commissioners and County Council members discussed the pending court’s needs in a joint session Tuesday.

The court was one item on a list of upcoming projects reviewed by the officials.

At the top of the list was the State Road 37 reconstruction designed to create a freeway without grade level intersections from Noblesville to Interstate 69. Costs for the major project are increasing. Late last year, the county was told another $40 million will be needed and further increases are likely.

The earlier announced county parking garage was also considered. Originally estimated to cost about $9.5 million, county officials now believe it may be wise to increase the structure to five levels to allow for anticipated future needs.

The garage, planned on the northside of Noblesville’s Clinton Street between 8th and 9th streets, will take the place of a current ground-level lot on Conner Street on the eastside of the White River. A private development is planned on that three-acre site.

Other projects getting attention at the meeting include converting the current Humane Society building on Pleasant Street to offices for the Soil and Water Conservation District and county Weights and Measures.

The Humane Society is in the process of building a new facility on Hague Road in Fishers.

The long-discussed White River bridge at Pleasant Street, a vital link in the planned bypass of downtown Noblesville, was considered at the joint session. The county is responsible for major bridges anywhere in the county, while the city will build the bypass to the bridge.

A center for victims of domestic violence has also been requested. There is presently no shelter for such victims within the county.

Officials are also considering acquisition of a 106-acre parcel for park development in Washington Township and will be undertaking intersection improvements at 146th and Allisonville, likely involving a roundabout at the heavily-traveled crossing.

All proposed projects were referred to the council’s finance committee for consideration. While the county has considerable resources on hand, the listed projects cannot likely all be financed at one time without other sources of revenue or staged as annual revenues are collected.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department has announced the passing of Retired Lieutenant Mitch Russell.

Russell served the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 29 years, from Nov. 21, 1977 to April 1, 2006. After retiring, Russell went on to serve as Chief of the Arcadia Police Department and Director of Security for Riverview Health.

“Mitch Russell will long be remembered for his selfless service to the citizens of Hamilton County,” said Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush. “He was a great leader, law enforcement officer, public servant, friend, and family man. Our hearts grieve with his family for the loss of a great man who loved his community and was loved by all who knew him.”

Hamilton County has a large number of employees that have served county government for many years, and they are set to be honored.  A total of 131 employees will be recognized as part of the celebration, each with receiving a service pin for at least 5 years of service.

“Our goal is to bring to the citizens and taxpayers of Hamilton County the most responsive governmental services possible,” says Human Resource Director for Hamilton County, Sheena Randall . “Employing top quality people, providing them with meaningful work, and retaining their services helps us serve the public efficiently and effectively.”

Hamilton County Auditor Robin Mills and Lynette Duvall, a caseworker in the Prosecutor’s Office, top this year’s list of employees with the most longevity. Each has been employed with the County for 40 years.

“I have stayed with Hamilton County because I enjoy the work I do,” Duvall says. “Plus, the county offers great benefits, such as health insurance, paid holidays, and a 37.5-hour work week.”

“I know that longevity in a place of employment is almost unheard of these days,” adds Mills. “But the county has offered me stability and job growth. I have been mentored by and continue to work with some pretty awesome people. It’s been a privilege to see Hamilton County grow and develop into one of the most sought-after places to live and to know that I have been a part of that.”

This year, six employees will celebrate 35 years of service with the County, 11 will mark 30 years, and 18 will observe 25 years. Another 17 employees will be honored for reaching the 20-year milestone with 15 others marking 15 years, 16 celebrating 10 years, and 46 observing five years of employment.

That building clearly visible from I-69, north of 96th Street in Fishers, has been the home of electronics for many years.  It was originally constructed for a national electronics chain that didn’t last long and went out of business.  Later, Fry’s took over the structure, remodeled it, and became a mecca for people all around Central Indiana to browse and buy electronics.

I had a job that required a long daily commute and some other vehicle travel.  That led me to buy a satellite radio when the technology was still fairly new.  My first unit was installed at Fry’s, where the staff was top-notch in completing the installation job.

I have bought computers, televisions and tons of computer software at Fry’s through the years.  That time has come to an end.

Wednesday morning the news came down from Fry’s California headquarters that the company would begin shutting down all stores nation-wide.  This is no surprise to anyone visiting Fry’s lately.  The shelves have been largely bare in recent months.

This will present yet another challenge for the City of Fishers.  The economic development team for the city will now have yet another big box vacancy to fill.

Let’s hope the former Fry’s location gets the attention of another retail occupant soon.

Streets around City Hall and a number of Fishers neighborhoods will be resurfaced and paved after the city awarded a $2.36 million bid to E&B Paving.

Neighborhoods that will see the work include sections of:

–Northfield Estates

–Fishers Center Drive

–Municipal Drive

–Britton Ridge

–Woodberry

–Cumberland Place

–Sand Creek Woods

–Saxony

–Brooks School Rd.

–Brookfield and Waterway Blvd.

E&B submitted the winning bid, among a total of 7 firms vying for this contract.

In one other item passed by the Board of Works and Public Safety, the city renewed its contract with the firm IPEP for Worker’s Compensation.  The contract covers a one-year period beginning March 1.  The annual premium will be $344,851, compared to the previous year’s premium cost of $352,887.

When the United States surpassed a half-million COVID deaths, I struggled to put that number into some sort of perspective.  Just how large is a number like 500,000?

It is larger than the population of Kansas City Missouri, and nearly as much as the city of Atlanta, Georgia.  If you have ever visited those two cities (I have) you can envision just how gigantic that death toll is.

But the impact of those deaths adds millions more for those left behind.  The family members, close friends and communities changed forever by these untimely coronavirus deaths are grieving the losses.

Reading of this gruesome milestone hit me particularly hard.  In late October I tested positive for COVID.  To this day, I do not not how I contracted the virus.  I was as careful as possible, but it happened to me anyway.

In early November, I began to go from feeling like I had been hit with a bad case of the flu to something much worse.  All the energy essentially had been sucked out of my body.  I could sense severe congestion in my upper chest.  The good news was I could still breath.

I realized that if the symptoms worsened and breathing became a problem, I would end up in the hospital.  I was very fortunate.  I improved and never needed hospitalization.

I count myself as one of the lucky few in my age range to suffer some fairly tough symptoms, but never needed to enter the hospital.  I thank God for every day as I rise from bed each morning.  I must assume I remain on this earth for a reason.

So, if you know a family struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one, do what you can to help.  Sometimes, little things can mean a lot.

But do not forget that number – 500,000.  It is large, very large.  We all must use that as a reason for following the masking and distancing advice health professionals are providing.  Take a vaccination when you are eligible.  Do everything you can do to be safe!

The Hamilton County Health Department has named its new administrator, and the man acting as the interim administrator will lead the department.

Below is the news release announcing the appointment of Jason LeMaster:

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The Hamilton County Health Board has selected Jason LeMaster as the Health Department’s new administrator. LeMaster replaces Barry McNulty who passed away in December.

LeMaster has been in public health for 27 years. He has served as the Director of Environmental Health for the past 24 years. In that capacity, he has overseen restaurant inspections, water quality, on-site sewage disposal and mosquito control. His department is also responsible for testing public swimming pools and private wells. LeMaster has served as the department’s Interim administrator for the past several months.

“In addition to his skills and experience, Jason also has a passion for the health and safety of the residents of Hamilton County,” says Charlotte Boden, Health Board President.

“I am humbled and honored to continue my career with the Hamilton County Health Department,” LeMaster adds. “I know I am filling big shoes; but look forward to the challenges ahead. I’m proud of our department and our commitment to making public health a priority for the residents of Hamilton County.”

My journey in education has been marked attending both public and parochial schools.  My kindergarten was in public school only because the Catholic schools at that time did not offer kindergarten, which in those days consisted mostly of painting and taking naps.

Grades 1-9 were spent in the Catholic school system of Indianapolis, St. Andrew grade school to start.  The first 8 years of primary schooling was taught mostly by the Sisters of Providence.  I recall a lay teacher for first and third grade, but if my memory serves my correctly that far back, I only had 2 lay teachers in grades 1-8.

So, my first 9 years of school were in the Catholic school system, including my Freshman year at Chatard High School.  I never quite fit in there.  It was mostly for financial reasons my parents decided Arlington High School was to be my destination for the sophomore year and ended up graduating there.

Why do I go through all that?  Because I have experienced education in the public and religious school systems.  I see value in both.

That is why moves by our Indiana state lawmakers have me concerned.  Public education is taking a back seat in our state and I find that a troubling development.

I was never totally happy with the fact that all the kids in my neighborhood went to the same public school and I went to a different (Catholic) school.  It just didn’t feel right.

I understand some people want a private education for their children for religious or other reasons.  But the public school system is one that is supported by all of us through our tax dollars.  It is an institution where the entire community has an interest in the system of public education succeeding.

That is why recent moves by the general assembly are, in my view, a step backward for our state.

Robert Stwalley is President of the Lafayette School Board and also serves as the President of the Indiana School Boards Association.  In a recent op-ed piece published in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, here is his opening sentence.

“The Republican supermajority in the Indiana General Assembly is attempting to quietly gut public education and hope no one notices.”

Those are strong words from a man in Mr. Stwalley’s position.  He strongly argues that a particular interest group from outside the state has poured money into members of our General Assembly supporting private education vouchers over public school funding.

A February 11 story posted on Chalkbeat Indiana, by reporter Stephanie Wang, says the early draft of the state budget “would increase state funding for K-12 education by $378 million over the next two years — a 3.8% boost from this school year. The state would spread that increase across all Indiana public schools and a host of contentious education priorities while limiting funding to districts where poverty surges because of the pandemic.”

Those making the laws and fashioning our state budget should consider the importance of strong public school systems in every community throughout Indiana.  The latest increase in education funding will shift a large portion of the extra funds to vouchers supporting non-public schools.

I have seen the value of public and private education and both play a role.  However, it is the first responsibility of the state to ensure our public institutions are properly funded and I can think of only a few such institutions as important to our communities in this state than public schools.

Our legislators are in the early stages of putting together the 2-year state spending plan.  I would suggest you keep an eye on how our lawmakers treat public education during the most important exercise in decision making about priorities – the state budget.

Adam Aasen, Alec Toombs & Larry Lannan again get together on Zoom for the latest film reviews in the latest edition of the Grade A Movies Podcast