Bill would compel districts to close underused buildings, offer them to charters
A bill in the Indiana Senate would significantly expand a state law that requires school districts to make their empty buildings available to charter schools.
Charter Schools
Articles
Midyear closure by Indianapolis charter school raises oversight questions
Families were sent scrambling by a charter school that initially failed to win permission to open, fell short of enrollment projections, cycled through multiple principals, and lacked timely financial oversight from its authorizer.
IPS delays vote on $400M operating referendum amid criticism from charters, biz group
The proposed operating referendum would provide $50 million annually over an eight-year period to expand student programs and increase teacher pay through the program.
Indiana House GOP ‘exploring options’ to postpone school tax referendums, including for IPS
The move comes as Indianapolis Public Schools plan to introduce two ballot measures in May to increase taxes to support more than $800 million in capital and operating expenses. The district has said the additional money is critical to its reorganization plan.
Indiana lawmakers scale back on private school aid expansion
Critics argued the original proposal opened up tuition payments to private schools for even the wealthiest families.
IPS offers more referendum funding for Innovation charters amid pressure
A revised revenue-sharing plan from Indianapolis Public Schools to increase the amount of funding affiliated charter schools would receive from a potential tax hike is still inadequate, charter-friendly groups say.
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.
MacKenzie Scott makes unsolicited $3M donation to Indianapolis-based charter school
The gift came as a surprise to Paramount Schools of Excellence, said CEO Tommy Reddicks. The funds are already earmarked for the ongoing construction of two new school facilities.
Purdue Polytechnic’s bid to open charter high school in Pike Township rejected
One of the city’s most popular charter schools was denied a request to open a new Marion County location during a boisterous public hearing that went on for hours.
Appeals court upholds law that lets charter schools buy buildings for $1
The appeals court agreed with a lower court that the school corporations are prohibited from pursuing “takings clause claims,” which can prevent private property from being taken for public use without just compensation.
PAC led by former Indy mayor gives big to pro-charter school candidates
An Indiana political action committee chaired by former Democratic mayor of Indianapolis. In turn, that pro-charter school PAC has become a large contributor to Indiana Republicans.
Virtual charter school that wanted to offer parents cash pulls application
Colearn Academy, a virtual school based in Arizona, applied earlier this year to open a school in Indiana, offering three learning pathways and the option for parents to purchase their own curriculum and activities with $600 yearly stipends.
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.
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.
Charter school offering cash to families wants to open in Indiana
A similar model has already landed another Indiana virtual school in hot water with legislators, who passed a law earlier this year that expanded a previous ban on schools offering money as an incentive to enroll.
Two schools seek to give Pike Township its first charters
Applications for both schools are due in September. The Indianapolis Charter School Board will decide whether to grant charters for the schools during a public hearing in November.
After troubles in IPS, Ignite charter school rebrands
Ignite Achievement Academy came to and left Indianapolis Public Schools within four years under challenging circumstances. Yet, the mayor’s Office of Education and Innovation has allowed the school to continue operating as an independent charter school under a new name.
New academic year brings growth for Indianapolis charter school
The story of Purdue Polytechnic High School’s growth coincides with the story of IPS’ shrinking enrollment.