These IPS school buildings set for upgrades if $410M capital referendum passes
If approved by voters, the referendum will authorize the district to issue bonds, which will yield an estimated $410 million for construction projects.
Amelia Pak-Harvey, Chalkbeat Indiana
Articles
Perry Township Schools superintendent announces retirement
The announcement early Tuesday came a day after the school board adopted his recommendation to end elementary school choice in a controversial vote that spurred parent opposition.
Perry Township eliminates school choice for elementary students
The Perry Township school board voted on Monday to end school choice for elementary students effective next school year to help alleviate a severe bus driver shortage, despite significant opposition from parents.
Perry Township parents oppose bus driver plan that reduces school choice
Parents and their children argued in a public comment session on Monday that it would be better for the district to improve driver-recruitment efforts rather than force hundreds of students to attend a new school next year.
IPS board moves to put $410M for capital upgrades on ballot
Dozens of charter school parents and students packed the board room before the vote and called on the board to share more of the referendum money.
Indianapolis charter schools seek bigger share of proposed $824M in new taxes
Leaders from 52 charter schools argued that the annual amount from the tax proposal IPS has offered to share with its innovation network charters would still leave a big funding gap between charter students and those in the district’s traditional public schools.
Three charters want to occupy closing IPS schools that district hopes to keep
The six planned school closures follow the IPS board’s vote to adopt the Rebuilding Stronger plan last week.
IPS board passes Rebuilding Stronger plan to close schools, change grades
Indianapolis Public Schools will close six buildings and reconfigure elementary and middle school grades throughout the district following the school board’s approval of the plan Thursday night.
Hampton tops Phair in unofficial IPS election results
Hope Hampton, a small business owner who previously worked as a dean and school counselor, received endorsements and significant campaign donations from charter-friendly groups and their affiliated political action committees.
As Rebuilding Stronger nears, some Indianapolis educators see disruption ahead
Potential stipends as high as $10,000 might not be enough to stave off a significant number of teacher departures.
Charter school expresses intent to acquire IPS school building if it closes
The IPS Rebuilding Stronger plan—an attempt to address declining enrollment amid charter school growth—would leave multiple school buildings open for charter schools to potentially occupy.
IPS superintendent seeks tax increase to fund school reorganization plan
The tax referendum—which would be on the May 2023 ballot—would increase the median homeowner’s bill by $6 per month, IPS officials said.
Two parents square off in sole contested IPS board race
District 3 includes a diverse population, from the mostly white area of Meridian-Kessler to the neighboring Fairgrounds area, where nearly half of the residents are people of color.
Purdue Polytechnic seeks deal to stay permanently in former IPS high school
The school’s change in plans comes as IPS prepares for a multitude of changes under its Rebuilding Stronger plan, which would close seven schools and reconfigure grade levels throughout the district.
IPS planning to end agreements with two innovation schools
If their innovation agreements end, Urban Act and Super School 19 would be the third and fourth schools to be removed from the innovation network by the district since the creation of such schools under state law in 2014.
Indianapolis teachers union voices concerns over IPS reorganization
The Indianapolis Education Association is pushing Indianapolis Public Schools for more transparency around how it will relocate staff under the district’s Rebuilding Stronger reorganization.
Interest in running for IPS board wanes amid big-budget campaigns, political heat
The paucity of candidates comes right as the district embarks on its Rebuilding Stronger plan, a major overhaul to address declining enrollment and an impending fiscal cliff.
IPS hopes to keep school buildings that might close by lobbying Legislature
State law requires unused school buildings to be offered to charters or state colleges for $1. As IPS plans to vacate seven buildings, officials hope to change that.
Proposed IPS overhaul raises big questions. Here are some answers.
The plan, which awaits school board approval in November, calls for closing seven schools and configuring grades at 39 others in an attempt to cut costs and expand specialized academic programs to more students of color.
IPS proposal calls for district-wide schools shakeup
Seven schools will close or merge and 39 others will change the grades they serve in a reconfiguration of Indianapolis Public Schools unveiled during the superintendent’s annual State of the District address on Tuesday night.