Hamilton Southeastern Schools are in the midst of a process aimed at redrawing the district’s school boundaries, grades kindergarten through eighth grade, for the start of the 2019-2020 school year, beginning in August of next year. If you have been reading social media in the Fishers area, there are plenty of comments about what is happening so far, and some of the comments are not complimentary.
The new Southeastern Elementary, currently under construction near Southeastern Parkway and Cyntheanne Road, will be welcoming students in August 2019. Hence, the need to redistrict school boundary lines.
Mike Fassold, long-time teacher in the HSE system, currently at Fishers Junior High School, has served on redistricting committees in the past but has chosen not to take on that role this time around. Mr. Fassold made some very pertinent comments recently on his Facebook page.
Here is part of that post:
Each plan has Fishers Junior High/Sand Creek Intermediate School between 80 and 85 percent capacity. This should have been a show-stopper for each plan. The growth is on the eastern side of our district. FJH/SCIS and Riverside JH/IS should be filled to 105 percent each so that redistricting can be delayed as much as possible for those schools. Fall Creek Junior High/Intermediate School and HSE Intermediate School/Junior High should be the schools with enrollment at the 80 to 85 percent level so that they can adapt to growth easier.
The neighborhoods that feed Cumberland Road Elementary School not going to FJH/SCIS is interesting as many of those kids can walk home from events at the FJH. The route from these neighborhoods to Riverside is at best convoluted … It seems the soon to be opened 106th Street is a straight shot for those neighborhoods that empty on to 106th.
To review the three scenarios as they are posted on the HSE Schools webpage on Oct. 15, use this link.
It should be noted there are two community dialogue sessions scheduled. The first is set for Wednesday, Oct. 24 at Fishers High School, with the second the following evening, Thursday, Oct. 25, at HSE High School. Each begins at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria.
The HSE School Board plans a work session on Nov. 20 to review the work of the various groups and the options they have offered. Superintendent Allen Bourff will present the administration’s proposed boundaries at the Nov. 28 school board session. The board is scheduled to vote on the final redistricting plan Dec. 12.