It would appear the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) school administration is at loggerheads with the local teachers union, the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA). “If we’ve employed people who do not want to serve students, and put their own agenda in front of a mission to educate students, then those people should leave our district because we’re here to serve students,” Superintendent Patrick Mapes told the school board. “That’s why people got into this business. They want to help kids, and if they don’t want to help kids, then I really don’t have any place for them.”
Meeting with a group of 50 to 60 teachers prior to the board meeting, Becky Slayton, the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) UniServe director for the HSEA, provided a timeline of what led to the recent unfair labor practice (ULP) filing. Administration was contacted up the chain of command about allegations of a toxic workplace from HSEA President Abby Taylor. With no resolution when attorneys for HSEA and HSE Schools spoke, HSEA authorized ISTA attorneys to file the ULP action. “Right now, what [HSE Schools are] doing is merely trying to bust up the union, so that you do not have a voice,” Slayton told the teacher group.
The HSE school board gave final approval to several new administrators in June. Steve Guenin will move from the dean of students to assistant principal of Hamilton Southeastern High School. Jordan McCaslin, a physical education teacher at Hamilton Southeastern High School, will become the new dean of students. Christopher Conway has been hired as the assistant principal at Fall Creek Elementary School. The new chief financial officer is Timothy Brown. Brown replaces Katy Dowling, who recently submitted her resignation. Barb Walters is the new executive director of Exceptional Learners, replacing Amy Selby, who resigned from that position.
Nicole Kaminski has been promoted from assistant principal to principal at Southeastern Elementary. Trae Heeter was named assistant principal at Southeastern Elementary. Therisa Seymour moves to principal at Geist Elementary. John Sponsel is now the principal of Lantern Road Elementary. April Tuason is the new assistant principal at Fishers Junior High.
Yvonne Stokes resigned last September as HSE school superintendent, with a separation agreement from the school board. Stokes was named as the new superintendent for Gary Schools in early June. She takes over Gary Community School Corporation as the district emerges from a seven-year state takeover.
The final slate of candidates is available for the upcoming HSE school board election. This is an at-large election, meaning there are three races within Wayne, Fall Creek and Delaware townships, but all voters within the school district may vote in all three races. The candidates are: John Stewart and Sarah Parks-Reese for Wayne Township; Terry Tolle and Suzanne Thomas for Fall Creek Township; Greg Lannan and Latrica Schooley for Delaware Township. (NOTE: Greg Lannan and I are distant cousins.)
The Fishers City Council held its first meeting at the new City Hall June 18, approving grants to local nonprofit organizations. Councilors learned of a grant totaling $30,000 for an outdoor fitness facility. The city has not decided where this equipment will be located. The ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the City Hall & Art Center was held the day before.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said he was hoping for three to four bids when the request for proposals was issued for a citywide trash collection contract. Fishers Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren said the city has received three bids. Hultgren says the three bidders include Republic, WM (formerly known as Waste Management) and Priority Waste. Republic and WM currently have most of the homeowners association contracts for trash collection in Fishers. Priority has some contracts in Fishers. A public hearing is expected to be held in August. The earliest any citywide contract would be in place is January of 2025.
The City of Fishers has announced plans for the new Fishers White River Park, set to open in summer 2025, just west of the 96th Street and Allisonville Road intersection. This new park will feature over 120 acres of parkland and 5,000 feet of riverfront, enhancing connectivity and recreational opportunities for residents. Groundbreaking for the park is slated for fall 2024.
In the early hours of Sunday morning on June 30, a dramatic series of events unfolded as Fishers police officers arrested an Indianapolis man, Fredrick Nance, 24, following a robbery and carjacking at the Taco Bell on Allisonville Road. When police attempted to stop the vehicle with Nance, he led police on a pursuit that ended with his arrest in Marion County. Nance faces 12 preliminary charges.
