Latest news with #ILEA
Indianapolis Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- 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
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hogsett announces public meetings for schools advisory group amid transparency concerns
Mayor Joe Hogsett's office on June 9 announced three public meetings scheduled for the coming months for the new Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), following speculation about whether the group would hold open meetings. The new alliance, which is tasked with making recommendations to state and city officials by the end of this year on how the Indianapolis Public Schools district can deepen its collaboration with charter schools in the city, aims to improve inefficiencies across the district and boost student success. The board, which was created by legislation passed earlier this spring, is not subject to Indiana's Open Door Law and therefore could opt to close its meetings. Speculation on whether the group's meetings would be open to the public arose after language was written into the legislation that created the group, exempting it from Indiana's Open Door Law. Members of the group said that while they hoped to hold many open meetings, they might need to discuss some topics behind closed doors before making them public. Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Wednesday, August 20, 2025 All of the meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at the City County Building at 200 E. Washington St. Information on which specific rooms the meetings will be held in, along with meeting agendas, will be shared closer to the meeting dates. More background on each ILEA member: They will decide the future of IPS, but will they let the public in? The group's last meeting, where members will vote on a final proposal, is required to be public. The final report must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2025. Anyone wishing to give in-person public comment at one of the upcoming public meetings for the alliance can do so by signing up ahead of time, starting at noon the business day prior to the meeting. Those who cannot come to the meetings but wish to submit online comments can do so at an online form that will open up closer to the date of the meetings. Those online comments will be accepted until noon on the day of the meeting and given to the members of the alliance ahead of each meeting. Anyone from the public also wishing to provide general feedback to the alliance can also email ILEA@ Parents asked to weigh in: Indiana unveils draft of A-F school grades model valuing tests and student skills The group will conduct a facility assessment on all the schools within IPS's boundaries, including traditional and charter campuses. It will then make recommendations regarding school facility 'structural changes,' as well as come up with a process for approving or denying future capital referendum requests. It will also create a template for revenue-sharing agreements between IPS and its charter school partners. The ILEA must also create methods for the district to increase collaboration with governmental entities, community organizations or local nonprofits to transform school facilities into 'broader community assets for residents,' according to the legislation that created the alliance. The group will also develop a transportation implementation plan to consider how best to serve all the district's students, in charter and district-run schools. Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter. The district is also holding "community conversations" this month where the public can share feedback and discuss the district's future. Those remaining meetings will be on: June 11 at James Russell Lowell School 51 | 3426 Roosevelt Ave. June 17 at William McKinley School 39 | 1733 Spann Ave. IPS families and other public school families are also being asked to share their thoughts on school transportation services in the city through an online survey. Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@ Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hogsett announces public meetings for Indy schools advisory group
Indianapolis Star
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Hogsett announces public meetings for schools advisory group amid transparency concerns
Mayor Joe Hogsett's office on June 9 announced three public meetings scheduled for the coming months for the new Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), following speculation about whether the group would hold open meetings. The new alliance, which is tasked with making recommendations to state and city officials by the end of this year on how the Indianapolis Public Schools district can deepen its collaboration with charter schools in the city, aims to improve inefficiencies across the district and boost student success. The board, which was created by legislation passed earlier this spring, is not subject to Indiana's Open Door Law and therefore could opt to close its meetings. Speculation on whether the group's meetings would be open to the public arose after language was written into the legislation that created the group, exempting it from Indiana's Open Door Law. Members of the group said that while they hoped to hold many open meetings, they might need to discuss some topics behind closed doors before making them public. All of the meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at the City County Building at 200 E. Washington St. Information on which specific rooms the meetings will be held in, along with meeting agendas, will be shared closer to the meeting dates. More background on each ILEA member: They will decide the future of IPS, but will they let the public in? The group's last meeting, where members will vote on a final proposal, is required to be public. The final report must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2025. Anyone wishing to give in-person public comment at one of the upcoming public meetings for the alliance can do so by signing up ahead of time, starting at noon the business day prior to the meeting. Those who cannot come to the meetings but wish to submit online comments can do so at an online form that will open up closer to the date of the meetings. Those online comments will be accepted until noon on the day of the meeting and given to the members of the alliance ahead of each meeting. Anyone from the public also wishing to provide general feedback to the alliance can also email ILEA@ Parents asked to weigh in: Indiana unveils draft of A-F school grades model valuing tests and student skills The group will conduct a facility assessment on all the schools within IPS's boundaries, including traditional and charter campuses. It will then make recommendations regarding school facility 'structural changes,' as well as come up with a process for approving or denying future capital referendum requests. It will also create a template for revenue-sharing agreements between IPS and its charter school partners. The ILEA must also create methods for the district to increase collaboration with governmental entities, community organizations or local nonprofits to transform school facilities into 'broader community assets for residents,' according to the legislation that created the alliance. The group will also develop a transportation implementation plan to consider how best to serve all the district's students, in charter and district-run schools. Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter. The district is also holding "community conversations" this month where the public can share feedback and discuss the district's future. Those remaining meetings will be on: IPS families and other public school families are also being asked to share their thoughts on school transportation services in the city through an online survey.
Indianapolis Star
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Hogsett announces public meetings for schools advisory group amid transparency concerns
Mayor Joe Hogsett's office on June 9 announced three public meetings scheduled for the coming months for the new Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), following speculation about whether the group would hold open meetings. The new alliance, which is tasked with making recommendations to state and city officials by the end of this year on how the Indianapolis Public Schools district can deepen its collaboration with charter schools in the city, aims to improve inefficiencies across the district and boost student success. The board, which was created by legislation passed earlier this spring, is not subject to Indiana's Open Door Law and therefore could opt to close its meetings. Speculation on whether the group's meetings would be open to the public arose after language was written into the legislation that created the group, exempting it from Indiana's Open Door Law. Members of the group said that while they hoped to hold many open meetings, they might need to discuss some topics behind closed doors before making them public. All of the meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at the City County Building at 200 E. Washington St. Information on which specific rooms the meetings will be held in, along with meeting agendas, will be shared closer to the meeting dates. More background on each ILEA member: They will decide the future of IPS, but will they let the public in? The group's last meeting, where members will vote on a final proposal, is required to be public. The final report must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2025. Anyone wishing to give in-person public comment at one of the upcoming public meetings for the alliance can do so by signing up ahead of time, starting at noon the business day prior to the meeting. Those who cannot come to the meetings but wish to submit online comments can do so at an online form that will open up closer to the date of the meetings. Those online comments will be accepted until noon on the day of the meeting and given to the members of the alliance ahead of each meeting. Anyone from the public also wishing to provide general feedback to the alliance can also email ILEA@ Parents asked to weigh in: Indiana unveils draft of A-F school grades model valuing tests and student skills The group will conduct a facility assessment on all the schools within IPS's boundaries, including traditional and charter campuses. It will then make recommendations regarding school facility 'structural changes,' as well as come up with a process for approving or denying future capital referendum requests. It will also create a template for revenue-sharing agreements between IPS and its charter school partners. The ILEA must also create methods for the district to increase collaboration with governmental entities, community organizations or local nonprofits to transform school facilities into 'broader community assets for residents,' according to the legislation that created the alliance. The group will also develop a transportation implementation plan to consider how best to serve all the district's students, in charter and district-run schools. Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter. The district is also holding "community conversations" this month where the public can share feedback and discuss the district's future. Those remaining meetings will be on: IPS families and other public school families are also being asked to share their thoughts on school transportation services in the city through an online survey.
Indianapolis Star
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
They will decide the future of IPS, but will they let the public in?
The decisions made by ILEA will determine the future of Indianapolis schools and its meetings aren't subject to the Open Door Law. What members said about keeping the meetings behind closed doors.
