House Bill 1501 would create two boards to manage transportation and facilities for Indianapolis Public Schools starting in 2026, making these assets available for sharing with charter schools.
The decline of roughly 800 students since last school year was driven almost entirely by falling middle school enrollment.
The bill is the latest of several proposals that threaten the district’s viability.
The 6-0 approval extends the district’s relationship with the schools—most of which are charters—until June 2030.
The schools up for renewal this week served a total of roughly 3,900 students last year and show varying levels of increased, decreased, or stagnant test results in the years immediately preceding and following the pandemic.
The Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township will lift pay for its roughly 1,000 teachers and its administrators.
The unofficial election results bring two candidates to the board with the help of charter-friendly political action committees that funded mailers, canvassing, and other outreach efforts.
The notable split stems from ongoing disputes among the five board members over compensation and academic achievement.
The city had planned to purchase the property from IPS for $725,000 as part of a project to transform the campus into an “Opportunity Hub” of social, community, and health services.
The race for four seats on the Indianapolis Public Schools board could significantly reshape the board’s makeup, with more candidates who are critical of charter schools.
The charge comes after a lawsuit alleged Julious Johnican allowed and encouraged students to attack their 7-year-old classmate.
Brian Metcalf, who served as CEO of Indianapolis-based Tindley Accelerated Schools from July 2019 to December 2022, was charged with nine counts of wire fraud.
In some cases, charters are an option only for those families who can afford to drive or live close enough to walk to school.
The withdrawal pauses a potential battle between Creek Point Academy and Andrew J. Brown Academy, which began when Andrew J. Brown moved to drop its for-profit operator.
The announcement on Thursday builds off of the groundbreaking program IU Indianapolis and IPS announced in September that grants automatic admission to seniors with a grade point average of at least 3.0.
The charter authorizer also approved the expansion of GEO Next Generation Academy, which is on the same property as Indy STEAM.
The split between Andrew J. Brown Academy and National Heritage Academies involves facilities, finances, and more. One is looking for a new home and has a new operator. The other wants to start a new school.
The special task force approved by the board Thursday will be led by independent community leaders and mental health professionals, board member Hope Hampton told parents after their comments.
The school board will vote Thursday on a plan to transfer ownership of the Julian Coleman School 110 building to KIPP Indy.
Board President Angelia Moore said in a statement at Tuesday’s board meeting that the board was shocked and upset by what the video showed.
