excellence,” says Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam. EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS With its highly educated population, one of the many aspects that makes Carmel shine is its top-rated schools. The Carmel Clay School District is home to one of the largest high schools in the state with close to 5,300 students, three middle schools, and eleven elementary schools. With a variety of academic, arts, and technical opportunities available, the district also has an extremely successful athletics program, boasting 194 state championships. “We have a highly-rated school district that is one of the primary economic development drivers in our community,” Finkam explains.“Our schools continue to raise the bar. What I think our role is, is if we create an incredibly dynamic community that’s thriving, it also helps attract the best students. It’s a symbiotic relationship.” Carmel prides itself on its nationally-recognized School Resource Officer program that represents a collaborative effort between the Carmel Police Department and the schools to not only ensure safety, but also to foster positive relationships between students and law enforcement. “They have a rockstar public safety professional who oversees their safety program. And it’s something special. The kids appreciate the officers in the schools and this permits us to put a different face on policing, for kids,” says Finkam. BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Carmel’s approach to urban planning exemplifies its dedication to smart growth and innovation. “One of the things we’ve done best is to build a master plan for our community.That started with our first female mayor, who dedicated an interstate that goes through part of our community as our corporate corridor,” Finkam describes. “This has allowed us to put our larger taller buildings along the corporate corridor and maintain and protect the residential corridor along Keystone Parkway where it’s more tree-lined and quieter.” 115 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08 CARMEL, IN
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