IPS parents fear school closures, resource cuts as new advisory board begins work
Indianapolis Public Schools parents and community members are raising concerns about the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), a new group tasked with making far-reaching recommendations about how IPS and charter schools can share resources more efficiently.
IPS has been holding 'community conversations' over the past two weeks with the intent of educating the public about the alliance's work, but also of the district's history, its present reality and its future due to recent legislative changes.
The meetings have been centered around the four main subjects the alliance will likely be evaluating in its recommendations: the history and makeup of IPS, finances, transportation and facilities.
Though the alliance hasn't had its first public meeting, IPS parents are already skeptical of the group's intent based on its makeup and are wary that any recommendations will help when the district faces financial strain soon.
For some families attending traditional IPS schools, their ultimate fear is that resources at their campus will be reduced so severely that they will be forced to leave the district, or worse, see their school close.
Michael McKillip has a rising eighth grader at Broad Ripple Middle School, on the northside of the district, whose heart has been set on playing basketball at Shortridge High School since he was five. But now that future has been put into question.
'My son has one year before we have to make the decision of where to go to high school, and I will not start him in a place that I can't be certain he can finish,' McKillip told IndyStar.
Charter school parents in the district say they want to make sure the alliance is considering families' concerns when crafting its recommendations.
'Family voices need to come first,' said Kim Graham, director of organizing and partnerships with EmpowerED Families, a charter-friendly organization in Indianapolis.
The alliance must make recommendations to city and state officials by the end of 2025.
Here is a look at some of the other concerns and questions IPS parents are facing:
McKillip said one of his biggest concerns when first learning about the alliance was its exemption from Indiana's Open Door Law, and therefore, it is not required to hold public meetings.
'We're starting off on the wrong foot with the exemption from transparency,' McKillip said. 'There can be no justice for the families of public education students, and no accountability for this board if these meetings are not only open, but broadcast, streamed, and online. This is a big enough kind of decision that affects every taxpayer in Marion County, not just people with children in a public or a charter school.'
More on the ILEA meetings: Hogsett announces public meetings for schools advisory group amid transparency concerns
Chairman of the alliance, Mayor Joe Hogsett, said that due to the complexities of the work at hand and the quick turnaround time, some meetings may need to be private.
Three public meetings have been scheduled for June 25, July 23 and Aug. 20 at the city-county building.
Other parents believe the makeup of the alliance is skewed to favor charter schools since five out of the nine-member board have connections with charter schools or charter advocacy groups.
More on each board member: They will decide the future of IPS, but will they let the public in?
Hogsett, who is the only mayor in the country with the ability to authorize charter schools, appointed former-mayor Bart Peterson and City Council President Maggie Lewis, both affiliated with The Mind Trust, a charter-supporting nonprofit.
Hogsett told IndyStar that the four members he appointed for the board bring a wealth of knowledge to the alliance, including experiences with all school types.
'I am confident they will work in the best interest of our community's students and families to ensure each child can receive a high-quality education,' he said.
Peterson, who also recently retired as CEO of Christel House International, a charter school network, told IndyStar that even though he has a well-known background of advocating for charter schools, he has never advocated for the disadvantaging of IPS.
'My advocacy for charter schools is plain for anyone to see, but I also want to see a viable and effective and strong IPS going forward as well,' Peterson said.
Another major topic the alliance is tasked to address is examining the district's transportation abilities and how it can be transformed to serve more families.
The mayor's office is asking families to take a transportation survey to get their views on various scenarios for busing kids.
However, many of the scenarios listed in the survey, like combining different grade levels or schools on the same bus, make some parents cautious.
'My kids are really young and one of them is really shy and timid so I wonder about things like bullying, so if the kids don't go to the same school, how do I even know who to contact,' said Anh Nguyen, who will have two kids at Sidener Academy, on the northside, next school year.
Adrienne Hurley, who has one child at T.C. Howe Middle School on the eastside and one at the Benjamin Harrison School 2 (CFI 2) near downtown, said that she grew up knowing the reputation of IPS being a 'bad' district, but said her kids have had a great experience.
'I feel like our district has to handle a lot of students that have housing insecurities, food insecurities and things like that, and so if we can address those underlying issues, that's going to help all of the schools,' Hurley told IndyStar.
She also said her biggest concern is that her kids will have their education disrupted again, like it was with the Rebuilding Stronger plan, if their school is picked for closure.
Regardless of the alliance's recommendations, IPS faces significant budget challenges ahead.
Due to Senate Bill 1, the district expects to lose $14 million in property tax revenue over the next three years and will start sharing tax dollars with charter schools in 2028. Without a new operating referendum, IPS projects its operating budget could be cut in half by 2032.
Parents like Melissa Lavella, who has two children at Mary Nicholson School 70 (CFI 70) on the northside, said she sees this as a losing situation, no matter what the group proposes to efficiently use resources.
'Our school has great teachers, great staff, and great administration,' Lavella told IndyStar. 'They need to be resourced, empowered, and supported to do their jobs. I don't see how any interference from this alliance is going to help them in any way.'
Lavella left the IPS community conversation meeting at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 with more questions than answers.
Ultimately, her skepticism remains due to who is serving on the alliance, and what benefit it could bring for her kids' education.
'It would appear that former Mayor Bart Peterson's legacy was introducing charter schools to our city,' Lavella said. 'Hopefully, Mayor Hogsett's Legacy isn't destroying IPS District Schools.'
Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter.
A spokesperson from the mayor's office told IndyStar the alliance aims to ensure long-term stability for all schools.
'The goal of the alliance is to create opportunities for local leaders and community members to work more closely together to find solutions so all schools and students have what they need to be successful,' the mayor's office said.
IPS's last remaining community conversation meeting will be at 6-8 p.m. on June 17, at William McKinley School 39, 1733 Spann Ave.
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Indianapolis Star
5 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
IPS parents fear school closures, resource cuts as new advisory board begins work
Indianapolis Public Schools parents and community members are raising concerns about the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), a new group tasked with making far-reaching recommendations about how IPS and charter schools can share resources more efficiently. IPS has been holding 'community conversations' over the past two weeks with the intent of educating the public about the alliance's work, but also of the district's history, its present reality and its future due to recent legislative changes. The meetings have been centered around the four main subjects the alliance will likely be evaluating in its recommendations: the history and makeup of IPS, finances, transportation and facilities. Though the alliance hasn't had its first public meeting, IPS parents are already skeptical of the group's intent based on its makeup and are wary that any recommendations will help when the district faces financial strain soon. For some families attending traditional IPS schools, their ultimate fear is that resources at their campus will be reduced so severely that they will be forced to leave the district, or worse, see their school close. Michael McKillip has a rising eighth grader at Broad Ripple Middle School, on the northside of the district, whose heart has been set on playing basketball at Shortridge High School since he was five. But now that future has been put into question. 'My son has one year before we have to make the decision of where to go to high school, and I will not start him in a place that I can't be certain he can finish,' McKillip told IndyStar. Charter school parents in the district say they want to make sure the alliance is considering families' concerns when crafting its recommendations. 'Family voices need to come first,' said Kim Graham, director of organizing and partnerships with EmpowerED Families, a charter-friendly organization in Indianapolis. The alliance must make recommendations to city and state officials by the end of 2025. Here is a look at some of the other concerns and questions IPS parents are facing: McKillip said one of his biggest concerns when first learning about the alliance was its exemption from Indiana's Open Door Law, and therefore, it is not required to hold public meetings. 'We're starting off on the wrong foot with the exemption from transparency,' McKillip said. 'There can be no justice for the families of public education students, and no accountability for this board if these meetings are not only open, but broadcast, streamed, and online. This is a big enough kind of decision that affects every taxpayer in Marion County, not just people with children in a public or a charter school.' More on the ILEA meetings: Hogsett announces public meetings for schools advisory group amid transparency concerns Chairman of the alliance, Mayor Joe Hogsett, said that due to the complexities of the work at hand and the quick turnaround time, some meetings may need to be private. Three public meetings have been scheduled for June 25, July 23 and Aug. 20 at the city-county building. Other parents believe the makeup of the alliance is skewed to favor charter schools since five out of the nine-member board have connections with charter schools or charter advocacy groups. More on each board member: They will decide the future of IPS, but will they let the public in? Hogsett, who is the only mayor in the country with the ability to authorize charter schools, appointed former-mayor Bart Peterson and City Council President Maggie Lewis, both affiliated with The Mind Trust, a charter-supporting nonprofit. Hogsett told IndyStar that the four members he appointed for the board bring a wealth of knowledge to the alliance, including experiences with all school types. 'I am confident they will work in the best interest of our community's students and families to ensure each child can receive a high-quality education,' he said. Peterson, who also recently retired as CEO of Christel House International, a charter school network, told IndyStar that even though he has a well-known background of advocating for charter schools, he has never advocated for the disadvantaging of IPS. 'My advocacy for charter schools is plain for anyone to see, but I also want to see a viable and effective and strong IPS going forward as well,' Peterson said. Another major topic the alliance is tasked to address is examining the district's transportation abilities and how it can be transformed to serve more families. The mayor's office is asking families to take a transportation survey to get their views on various scenarios for busing kids. However, many of the scenarios listed in the survey, like combining different grade levels or schools on the same bus, make some parents cautious. 'My kids are really young and one of them is really shy and timid so I wonder about things like bullying, so if the kids don't go to the same school, how do I even know who to contact,' said Anh Nguyen, who will have two kids at Sidener Academy, on the northside, next school year. Adrienne Hurley, who has one child at T.C. Howe Middle School on the eastside and one at the Benjamin Harrison School 2 (CFI 2) near downtown, said that she grew up knowing the reputation of IPS being a 'bad' district, but said her kids have had a great experience. 'I feel like our district has to handle a lot of students that have housing insecurities, food insecurities and things like that, and so if we can address those underlying issues, that's going to help all of the schools,' Hurley told IndyStar. She also said her biggest concern is that her kids will have their education disrupted again, like it was with the Rebuilding Stronger plan, if their school is picked for closure. Regardless of the alliance's recommendations, IPS faces significant budget challenges ahead. Due to Senate Bill 1, the district expects to lose $14 million in property tax revenue over the next three years and will start sharing tax dollars with charter schools in 2028. Without a new operating referendum, IPS projects its operating budget could be cut in half by 2032. Parents like Melissa Lavella, who has two children at Mary Nicholson School 70 (CFI 70) on the northside, said she sees this as a losing situation, no matter what the group proposes to efficiently use resources. 'Our school has great teachers, great staff, and great administration,' Lavella told IndyStar. 'They need to be resourced, empowered, and supported to do their jobs. I don't see how any interference from this alliance is going to help them in any way.' Lavella left the IPS community conversation meeting at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 with more questions than answers. Ultimately, her skepticism remains due to who is serving on the alliance, and what benefit it could bring for her kids' education. 'It would appear that former Mayor Bart Peterson's legacy was introducing charter schools to our city,' Lavella said. 'Hopefully, Mayor Hogsett's Legacy isn't destroying IPS District Schools.' Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter. A spokesperson from the mayor's office told IndyStar the alliance aims to ensure long-term stability for all schools. 'The goal of the alliance is to create opportunities for local leaders and community members to work more closely together to find solutions so all schools and students have what they need to be successful,' the mayor's office said. IPS's last remaining community conversation meeting will be at 6-8 p.m. on June 17, at William McKinley School 39, 1733 Spann Ave.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Indianapolis has a preschool crisis. Give voters a choice to fund it.
When my first son was born, I was flooded with questions: sleep schedules, screen time, how to assemble a car seat without losing my mind. But as he's gotten older, one question has risen above the rest: Will he be ready for school? Like so many parents, I've learned what researchers, educators and employers have known for decades. A child's earliest years are some of the most important. Access to high-quality early childhood education shapes a child's academic success, emotional development and long-term ability to contribute to society. Unfortunately, access to that opportunity is slipping further out of reach for too many families in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Schools recently announced it would no longer offer free pre-K starting in the 2025–2026 school year. Families could be asked to pay as much as $570 a month, if they can even find a seat. In a city already struggling with childcare deserts, stagnant wages and learning loss, this isn't just a logistical problem. It's a crisis. This isn't IPS's fault. It's the result of chronic underinvestment in early learning, made worse by outdated state policy. Fewer than 10% of Indiana's 4-year-olds qualify for the state's On My Way Pre-K program. There just aren't enough dollars or options to meet the need. That's why I introduced legislation that would allow local communities to step up where the state has stepped back. And I'll offer it again in the 2026 Indiana General Assembly session. My bill would give counties the ability to hold a referendum to fund early childhood education for 3- and 4-year-olds. If approved by voters, those funds could support a mix of providers: public schools, charter schools, private centers and even churches. Programs would operate under the guidance of trusted partners, like United Way or Early Learning Indiana. It's a local solution to a statewide problem, rooted in community choice and accountability. The idea isn't ideological. It is focused on outcomes. Studies show that for every dollar invested in early childhood education, communities can see up to $12 in return through reduced remediation, lower incarceration rates and higher future earnings. Pre-K isn't a luxury. It's an economic development strategy, a public safety tool and a workforce investment plan, all in one. There's no sugarcoating it: Passing a bill is just the first step in building a universal preschool system. Voters will need to approve it. We will need to recruit teachers, convert facilities and invest in the capacity of current and potential local providers. But these steps are doable, especially with a strong coalition of parents, educators, elected officials and business leaders as advocates. If we want to build a stronger K-12 system in Indianapolis, we have to start by building a stronger foundation. That means making sure every child enters kindergarten ready to learn, regardless of their ZIP code or their parents' income. The path forward is clear. It's practical. It's popular. And it's possible, if we choose to act. Indianapolis deserves a serious plan for universal preschool. Let's give local communities the chance to lead. State Rep. Blake Johnson, D-Indianapolis, represents Indiana House District 100. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Universal pre-K can come to Indiana. Here's how. | Opinion
Indianapolis Star
13-06-2025
- Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis has a preschool crisis. Give voters a choice to fund it.
When my first son was born, I was flooded with questions: sleep schedules, screen time, how to assemble a car seat without losing my mind. But as he's gotten older, one question has risen above the rest: Will he be ready for school? Like so many parents, I've learned what researchers, educators and employers have known for decades. A child's earliest years are some of the most important. Access to high-quality early childhood education shapes a child's academic success, emotional development and long-term ability to contribute to society. Unfortunately, access to that opportunity is slipping further out of reach for too many families in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Schools recently announced it would no longer offer free pre-K starting in the 2025–2026 school year. Families could be asked to pay as much as $570 a month, if they can even find a seat. In a city already struggling with childcare deserts, stagnant wages and learning loss, this isn't just a logistical problem. It's a crisis. This isn't IPS's fault. It's the result of chronic underinvestment in early learning, made worse by outdated state policy. Fewer than 10% of Indiana's 4-year-olds qualify for the state's On My Way Pre-K program. There just aren't enough dollars or options to meet the need. That's why I introduced legislation that would allow local communities to step up where the state has stepped back. And I'll offer it again in the 2026 Indiana General Assembly session. My bill would give counties the ability to hold a referendum to fund early childhood education for 3- and 4-year-olds. If approved by voters, those funds could support a mix of providers: public schools, charter schools, private centers and even churches. Programs would operate under the guidance of trusted partners, like United Way or Early Learning Indiana. It's a local solution to a statewide problem, rooted in community choice and accountability. The idea isn't ideological. It is focused on outcomes. Studies show that for every dollar invested in early childhood education, communities can see up to $12 in return through reduced remediation, lower incarceration rates and higher future earnings. Pre-K isn't a luxury. It's an economic development strategy, a public safety tool and a workforce investment plan, all in one. There's no sugarcoating it: Passing a bill is just the first step in building a universal preschool system. Voters will need to approve it. We will need to recruit teachers, convert facilities and invest in the capacity of current and potential local providers. But these steps are doable, especially with a strong coalition of parents, educators, elected officials and business leaders as advocates. If we want to build a stronger K-12 system in Indianapolis, we have to start by building a stronger foundation. That means making sure every child enters kindergarten ready to learn, regardless of their ZIP code or their parents' income. The path forward is clear. It's practical. It's popular. And it's possible, if we choose to act. Indianapolis deserves a serious plan for universal preschool. Let's give local communities the chance to lead.
