In mid-August, Steve Loser, Director of K-12 Initiatives for HSE Schools, presented a proposal from a nonprofit organization, to create an Innovation Network School, a form of charter school under Indiana law.  The board entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue the idea with Opportunity Education.

James Troupis of Opportunity Education attended a recent HSE School Board meeting to explain the proposal establishing the charter, a school offering grades 9-12, with a student body that would eventually number 500-600.  The school would offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) but it was unclear what would be offered and the timeline on when those classes would be offered.

Loser told the board it takes time to create CTE classes and the Opportunity Education proposal would have been the quickest way for HSE Schools to offer such classes.  About 7% of HSE students are currently in CTE classes, most offered at the J. Everett Light Center, located at North Central High School in Indianapolis.

Obviously, HSE students do not get first dibs on these classes, Washington Township will place their students first.  The Pursuit Institute, an endeavor created by Hamilton County School Districts for CTE education, has not worked out as originally hoped.

There are still a large number of HSE grads that go on the college, but that number has been going down in recent years.  Providing education and experience to high school students in now more important than ever.

However, there were a number of questions raised about the proposed charter.  Opportunity Education has had no experience creating such a school and admitted as much in answering questions from the board.  A public hearing on the proposal drew 20 speaking segments, with no one supporting the Opportunity Education proposal.

Just days ago, HSE Superintendent Patrick Mapes sent a message to staff and families of HSE Schools, announcing that he has been advised that Opportunity Education (OE) had withdrawn its proposed  charter school application.  Mapes quotes the withdrawal letter from OE, saying “this may not be an optimal time for the community to undertake such an innovation effort.”

Why did OE withdraw its proposed charter school?  The letter that Mapes quotes is complimentary to the school board and school officials for considering the idea.  But there may be another reason.

More than one source has told me there would not likely be 4 votes on the 7-member school board to approve the OE proposal.  There are many reasons, but one is that HSE’s superintendent would have one seat on the board overseeing the charter, but the other board seats would be appointed by the holder of the charter, in this case OE.

The Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, representing teachers in the HSE district, opposed the charter and said so before and after the decision to withdraw by OE.

It has been rare that a high-performing suburban school district such as HSE has supported a charter school.  Yet, according to Loser, the way schools are funded in Indiana, the OE proposal would have the best chance of creating CTE opportunities for HSE students.  Now, the HSE district will need to look at another pathway to offer these opportunities to students.

I must compliment Steve Loser.  He laid out the Innovation Network Charter School idea very clearly for the board and the public.  I am looking forward to what Mr. Loser will be doing as a central office administrator moving forward.

It was clear teachers and many local residents had concerns about the charter school proposal.  This idea is gone, at least for now.

David Lindquist of the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) attended the first Fishers Event Center show Friday night, the Turnpike Troubadours.  He gave the concert high marks.  He also spoke with a number of people at the concert and all had high praise for the show and the new venue. (You can read the story at this link, but you may need an IBJ subscription to access).

One issue Lindquist identified in talking with concert-goers was their lack of understanding about how parking works at the Center.  Because there are no barrier arms or booths, a number of customers assumed the parking is free in nearby lots.  It is not free.

You can reserve your parking area in advance.  In the lots themselves, there are signs with QR codes, allowing you to pay for parking after you have arrived.  If you park and fail to pay, a license plate reader will identify you and you will owe the parking vendor $20.

More information is available about parking at the Fishers Event Center at this link.

A routine welfare check on November 13, 2024, led Fishers Police to uncover a large-scale fraud operation involving stolen checks, credit cards, and gift cards. The investigation has resulted in multiple felony and misdemeanor charges against three suspects: David Davis of Avon, Jessica Sprankle of Indianapolis, and Amy Gill of Needham.

Police were dispatched to investigate a vehicle sitting stationary at a traffic light near I-69 and Campus Parkway. Upon arrival, officers found the three suspects asleep inside the vehicle. All were taken into custody after officers discovered drugs in their possession and learned the vehicle and its license plate had been stolen from Indianapolis.

According to authorities, subsequent search of the vehicle revealed hundreds of checks, many of which showed signs of tampering, commonly referred to as “check washing,” while others were blank checks stolen from businesses. Investigators also say they found multiple credit cards and gift cards, further suggesting the suspects were involved in a widespread fraud scheme.

Through their investigation, detectives identified dozens of victims and determined Davis had been stealing checks directly from mailboxes. Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart praised his officers’ vigilance.  “Through the diligent efforts of our officers during this welfare check, we may have prevented numerous individuals and businesses from falling victim to fraud”, said Gebhart. “The action not only apprehended the suspects but also dismantled a scheme that could have caused significant harm to our community. Our commitment to public safety remains our top priority.”

The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office has filed the following charges:

David Davis (Avon)

• Auto Theft (Level 6 Felony)
• Counterfeiting (Level 6 Felony)
• Forgery (Level 6 Felony)
• Theft (A Misdemeanor)
• Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle (B Misdemeanor)
• Possession of Marijuana (A and B Misdemeanors)

Jessica Sprankle (Indianapolis)

• Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person (A Misdemeanor)
• Driving While Suspended (A Misdemeanor)
• Possession of Marijuana (B Misdemeanor)
• Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle (B Misdemeanor)

Amy Gill (Needham)

• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony)

The investigation remains ongoing. Law enforcement encourages residents and businesses to secure their mail and report any suspicious activity.

Road construction in and around the Fishers area continues into Thanksgiving week.  City Engineering Director Hatem Mekky said at a recent meeting that the roundabout construction on 141st Street and Prairie Lakes, just west of State Road 37, should be completed during Thanksgiving week, but this is not noted in the update below.

There is information on traffic changes to know for the Gobblers Job 5K and Wishbone 5K.

Here is the weekly road construction report, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Local road construction update for Thanksgiving week →

The Indy Fuel made a strong statement in their first-ever regular season clash with the Bloomington Bison, securing a 2-0 victory Saturday night at Grossinger Motors Arena. The game, marked by stellar goaltending and tight defensive play, saw the Fuel dominate offensively while keeping the Bison off the scoreboard.

A Battle of Penalties and Missed Opportunities

The opening two periods were a grind, with both teams trading penalties but failing to convert on power-play opportunities. Indy’s Colin Bilek took the first penalty of the night at 7:02 of the first period for interference, but the Fuel penalty-kill unit set the tone early by shutting it down. Bloomington’s Gavin Gould followed with a slashing penalty at 11:05, but the Bison responded in kind with a penalty kill of their own.

Despite outshooting the Bison 9-4 in the first period and 20-11 by the end of the second, the Fuel struggled to find the back of the net as Bloomington goaltender Sinclair stood tall, keeping his team in the game.

Fireworks in the Third

The breakthrough finally came in the third period after tempers flared. A chaotic sequence at 8:14 saw penalties assessed to both teams, including a double minor for roughing against Indy’s Cam Hausinger. The tensions seemed to ignite the Fuel’s offense. Just 38 seconds after play resumed, Nathan Burke broke the deadlock, scoring off assists from Bryan Lemos and Andrew Bellant.

Bloomington continued to push, earning a power play at 10:21 after Jalen Luypen was sent to the box for roughing. However, the Fuel penalty-kill unit again stood firm.

Luypen redeemed himself minutes later, doubling Indy’s lead with a goal at 14:03. Kyle Maksimovich and Colin Bilek provided the assists on the insurance tally.

Closing the Door

With time winding down, Bloomington pulled their goaltender in a last-ditch effort to mount a comeback. Despite the added attacker, the Fuel’s defense held strong, and several close attempts at an empty net by Indy went wide.

Goaltending and defense were a key, stopping all 22 shots faced, while the Fuel outshot the Bison 29-22.

Looking Ahead

The victory gives the Fuel early momentum in their season and marks a successful introduction to this budding rivalry. The Bison, still finding their footing in their inaugural season, will look to regroup as they seek their first victory.

Teachers in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) school district voted in favor of of ratifying a new agreement with the administration, with 96% of teachers voting casting their vote in favor of the pact.  All that is left now is for the HSE School Board to ratify the contract at a 5pm Tuesday session.

A public hearing held Thursday evening drew no comments.  HSE Schools Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown and Brieann Toste, a member of the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) bargaining team, went through details of the tentative pact before the school board, how it impacts pay and benefits, particularly incentives to choose the high-deductible insurance plan supplemented by a Health Savings Account (HSA).  The school district will make a contribution to employees choosing the HSA.

Brown told the board the district is increasing compensation for HSE’s teachers by $2.7 million in this contract for the 2024-2025 school year..

Scott Fadness has told me many times ribbon-cutting ceremonies are not his favorite…he is normally working on 2-3 more projects ahead by the time the ribbon is cut.  Friday morning was the exception.  Mayor Fadness was clearly smiling ear-to-ear as he cut the ribbon opening the new Fishers Event Center.

The mayor told the story of how there were 3 efforts going back to 2011 trying to put together a package that brought this to fruition in 2024.  The city was able to finance this project, along with a new City Hall and a community center now under construction, with no increase in the city’s share of the property tax rate.  The City Council did approve a food & beverage tax to finish the funding for the Event Center.

“To be able to share this with the Fishers Community and really all of central Indiana is a super-exciting day,” Fadness said.  “The building exceeded our expectation – on time, on budget and exceeding our vision for what it could be….so, today’s a great day.”

The Event Center itself is a roughly $200 million investment by the city, but Fadness foresees the private sector development linked to the Center exceeding a total of $1 billion for all the development, including the cost of the Event Center.

Event Center General Manager Mitch List says he is impressed by the sight lines in the seating design, saying there is not a bad seat in the house.

“I’ve been living and breathing this for the last year and a half, so really excited to see the reaction of the attendees as they walk through the door,” said List.

The Fishers Events Center has been in works for more than 10 years.  It is a beautiful facility.  It was worth the wait.

Fishers Event Center, as the venue prepares for its first event, a Turnpike Troubadours concert

Fishers is moving toward a city-wide trash collection service.  Mayor Scott Fadness named his Chief of Staff, Jordin Alexander, to be the point person for this project, which has been in progress most of 2024.

In the podcast at the link below, Jordin talks at length about the contract, which takes effect January 13.

I have been receiving numerous reports in recent days from my readers and social media posts about some fliers found on the ground in areas of Hamilton County, including Fishers. I have hesitated to write about this, not wanting to give these people publicity, but the more I thought about it, I must at least report that this is happening locally.

I will not post the full text of the flier, suffice to say it encourages people to report “illegal immigrants” to federal officials and identifies itself as a part of the Ku Klux Klan.  Again, we have only had a few isolated reports of these fliers, from people seeing them on the ground.

We have a First Amendment in America so there are protections for free speech, even the the speech is abhorrent to most of us.

In my view, the best thing to do is ignore this flier.  There is no indication, at this time, that there is any major movement locally supporting the Klan.  But let’s just be aware of what is happening in our own local community.