The Latest Hometown Happenings Around Fishers
School Board Divisions Surface Over Financial Transparency
Hamilton Southeastern School Board member Suzanne Thomas said at the board’s Jan. 28 meeting that she and other board members are not receiving financial information in a timely manner. Superintendent Patrick Mapes strongly disputed that claim, saying the district is more transparent now than it was under the previous administration. The exchange highlighted ongoing divisions among board members on several key issues.
Rental Registration Compliance High as Enforcement Begins
When the City of Fishers adopted an ordinance limiting rental homes to 10 percent of residences within a neighborhood—while allowing for exemptions and grandfathering—it also required rental properties to be registered with the city. Community Development and Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner told the Fishers City Council that compliance has been strong. Only 137 homes citywide are believed to be unregistered, meaning roughly 95 percent of rental properties have complied. With the registration period largely complete, the city will now move into the enforcement phase of the ordinance.
New Leadership Chosen for Hamilton County Governing Bodies
Hamilton County’s two governing bodies selected new leadership during their annual reorganization meetings. The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners elected Christine Altman as its new president, replacing Steve Dillinger, with Mark Heirbrandt chosen as vice president. The Hamilton County Council also named new leaders, electing Brad Beaver as council president and Steve Nation as vice president. Beaver, who was first elected to the council in 1994 and serves as an at-large member, thanked his colleagues for their support in a statement.
Community Health Network to End School-Based Behavioral Health Services
Community Health Network will not continue providing school-based behavioral health services to Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools after the current school year. HSE spokesperson Emily Abbotts said the decision reflects a broader shift by Community Health Network and is not specific to the district. “Community Health is ending all its school-based behavioral health contracts,” Abbotts told LarryInFishers. District officials are reviewing alternative options and will provide updates once next steps are finalized. Abbotts emphasized that other partnerships with Community Health Network—including school nursing, sports medicine, and clinic services—will remain in place.
Andrew Bradford Named Dean of HCLA Class of 2027
Hamilton County Leadership Academy has named Andrew Bradford as dean for its Class of 2027. Bradford is the founder and managing partner of Bradford Consulting Group and a graduate of the HCLA Class of 2019. He has remained actively involved with the organization, serving on its board of directors, including a term as chairman, and currently on the Curriculum Committee. Applications for HCLA’s 36th cohort will open Friday, Feb. 27, and close April 1, 2026. The Class of 2027 will be announced in June.
Two Longtime HSE Educators Announce Retirement
Two long-time and well-known Hamilton Southeastern Schools staff members will retire at the end of the 2025–26 school year. The HSE School Board formally approved the retirements of Fishers High School Athletic Director James “Jim” Brown and longtime teacher and former local teachers union president Janet Chandler. Both are concluding careers that had a lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the broader HSE community.
Chase Rice to Headline “Evening of Inspiration” at Fishers Event Center
Country music artist Chase Rice will headline the 17th annual “Evening of Inspiration: Chasing A Cure” on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Fishers Event Center. Indiana native Clayton Anderson will join Rice as a special guest. Presented by the Bev Hartig Huntington’s Disease Foundation, the annual concert and gala benefits Huntington’s disease research. Since its founding, the nonprofit has donated more than $3.6 million to support research aimed at finding a cure for the hereditary neurodegenerative disorder.
New Podcast: ‘Fridays With Larry’
Be sure to check out my new weekly podcast series, “Fridays With Larry.” Episodes are available at LarryInFishers.com, or simply search “podcasts by Larry Lannan” on your favorite platform.
