For first time in 4 years, no struggling IPS schools face ‘innovation’ restart
It’s a departure for the district, which has handed six neighborhood schools to outside charter partners since the creation of innovation schools four years ago.
Dylan Peers McCoy
Articles
IPS support staff, administrators get raises of 3 percent or more
Indianapolis Public Schools is giving raises to about 1,700 employees, less than three months after voters approved an increase in property taxes to boost school funding.
Rocked by scandal, weakened teachers union faces uncertain future
Fewer than half of Indianapolis Public Schools teachers are members of the Indianapolis Education Association, and some wonder if there is any point in paying dues to join a weakened union that seems to offer them very little.
Study of IPS shows new innovation schools might be bright spot
In the first major look at the results for innovation schools in IPS—a new kind of district-charter partnership—there are some positive signs but still some unanswered questions.
Indiana’s high school graduation rate ticks up slightly
Indiana graduation rates have held relatively steady since 2011, fluctuating by small amounts each year.
IPS board signs off on raises for teachers in new contract
The new contract includes pay bumps ranging from 3 to 9 percent, with most eligible teachers’ salaries going up by at least $2,586 per year. But it also has provisions that teachers unions have typically opposed.
Tentative contract agreement includes big raises for IPS teachers
A month after voters approved a vast funding increase for Indianapolis Public Schools, the administration and the district teachers union have reached a tentative deal for a new contract that would boost teacher pay by an average of 6.3 percent.
IPS leader Ferebee a finalist for job in Washington, D.C.
Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee is a finalist for the open Washington, D.C., schools chief job, according to someone with knowledge of the search process.
Backlash to big changes in Indianapolis Public Schools fuels board upsets
Two outsiders who have been critical of the Indianapolis Public Schools board ended up defeating incumbents in last week’s election, a change that could prove pivotal for a district that has garnered a national reputation for its partnerships with charter schools.
Charter school network looks to join Indianapolis Public Schools
One of the city’s largest charter operators could soon join Indianapolis Public Schools, in the latest sign that the line between charter and traditional public schools is becoming blurrier.
Obscure state law could shake up the race for the IPS board
Less than two weeks before the election for Indianapolis Public Schools board, a little-known law could throw a wrench in the race for one candidate.
Teachers union spends big on Indianapolis Public Schools in election
The political arm of Indiana’s largest teachers union is spending heavily on some of the candidates vying for seats on the board this November in the Indianapolis Public Schools board election.
IPS, Indy Chamber outline unconventional 3-year partnership to cut spending
The staff members and consultants would help the district implement some of the chambers’ broad recommendations for hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts in the coming years, including possible school closures, reduced transportation, and staff reductions.
Race on for Indianapolis Public Schools to get voters to OK tax hikes
With less than two months until Election Day, the effort to pass two referendums to increase funding for Indianapolis Public Schools is gaining momentum.
Shortridge copes as high school more than doubles in size
Last school year, Shortridge had fewer than 450 students. This fall, enrollment has swelled to more than 1,000, following the closure of three of Indianapolis Public Schools’ other high school campuses.
Key lawmakers urge IPS to lease Broad Ripple High School to charter school
In a letter to Superintendent Lewis Ferebee and the IPS board, nine lawmakers urged the district to quickly accept a verbal offer to lease the building for up to $8 million.
Indianapolis schools land $7.5 million to fight drug abuse
The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation announced Tuesday that it would give $7.5 million in grants to 24 Marion County schools and districts to help fund substance-use prevention.
Campaign for IPS referendums gets a $100K boost from advocacy group
Stand for Children Indiana will also launch a vast door-knocking campaign in support of two referendums requesting an extra $272 million from taxpayers, the group announced Thursday.
Even as IPS plans big cuts, construction of new buildings still possible
Superintendent Lewis Ferebee, who has made reducing the real estate owned by the district a cornerstone of his administration, mentioned the possibility of constructing new buildings during a media briefing this week.
UPDATE: Indianapolis Public Schools again scales back referendum to win chamber support
The new proposal—which comes after a week of intense negotiations between the district and the chamber—passed 5-0 at a meeting Tuesday night.