School Redistricting Underway
Redistricting in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District is officially moving forward. By December, the HSE School Board is expected to receive a recommended plan for new attendance boundaries. The district has hired the consulting firm Woolpert to lead the effort, with consultant Andrew Bishop outlining the process at the Aug. 13 board meeting.
The plan will affect elementary, intermediate, and junior high schools across the district. Bishop began by reviewing current and projected enrollment at each school, considering building capacity, birth rates, and anticipated housing growth. He also raised the possibility of creating a more defined “feeder system” to link elementary schools with specific intermediate and junior highs — a change that would depend on enrollment trends and community feedback.
HSE Test Scores Show Growth
Superintendent Patrick Mapes described the Aug. 27 school board work session as a “celebration” of recent state standardized test results. Deputy Superintendent Matt Kegley presented the data while reminding the board that such assessments capture only part of student and school performance.
“We know that standardized assessments from the state do not tell the whole picture,” Kegley said. “But they are a moment in time where we can take a picture and say, how are we doing?”
Highlights from the 2024–2025 results include:
- IREAD: 96% of HSE students passed.
- Elementary: 10 of 13 schools reached a 95% passing rate or higher; all scored at least 90%.
- ILEARN: Combined English Language Arts and Math scores increased 1.4% over last year.
City Updates Property Code, Parking Rules
The Fishers City Council is revisiting its property maintenance code after a recent Indiana Court of Appeals ruling changed how such ordinances must be enforced. City Attorney Lindsey Bennett explained that cities must now be more explicit about enforcement procedures, including timelines for corrections, follow-up inspections, and penalties.
Under the revised ordinance, Fishers can assess daily fines, with penalties accumulating for each day a violation remains unresolved.
The Board of Public Works and Safety has clarified days and hours for existing parking restrictions. Near King Jugg, restrictions apply Thursday through Monday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Near the Al Huda mosque, restrictions remain in effect each Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
ReCenter Indiana Names First Executive Director
ReCenter Indiana Inc., a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to boosting civic participation, has appointed its first executive director. Jocelyn Vare, a former Fishers City Council member and past chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, will lead the organization.
Founded in 2022, ReCenter began by promoting centrist candidates through a political action committee, including a billboard campaign ahead of the 2024 primary election. The group is now shifting its focus toward voter engagement, with special attention on young eligible voters who often skip the polls.
District South Apartments Open Downtown
City officials, developers, and community members celebrated the opening of District South Apartments, a $33M mixed-use project in the Nickel Plate District. Located a block south of 116th Street on South Street, the five-building complex combines modern apartment living with ground-level commercial space.
Led by Rebar Development, the project broke ground in February 2024 and now offers 84 apartment homes along with five commercial suites designed for small businesses.
