As IPS leaders review high schools’ futures, here are their pros, cons
An IPS committee recommended closing three of the seven high schools that will be in operation this fall. Some schools are clearly in more danger of closing than others.
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Local charter network to buy vacant IPS elementary school for $1
Tindley Summit Academy will move this fall to the IPS School 98 campus, which was available for next to nothing under a rarely used state law.
IPS could close three of its seven high schools under new plan
An Indianapolis Public Schools task force has recommended closing three of the district's seven high schools because of declining enrollments.
U.S. Education secretary says Indy’s ‘innovation schools’ should be national model
Betsy DeVos shouted out School 15 in a speech Monday, calling it “an example of new thinking.”
Well-regarded Herron High School seeks to strengthen ties with IPS
Joining the IPS innovation network would give Herron access to additional funding, but it would retain most of its independence. Herron’s head of school said the move "will not impact students in any way."
IPS likely to ask taxpayers for property-tax increase
Superintendent Lewis Ferebee said he believes the district will “absolutely” need to have a referendum for more funding to pay teachers at the current rate and potentially increase pay in the future.
Sullivan re-elected president on reconfigured IPS board
Mary Ann Sullivan will lead the Indianapolis Public Schools board for the second year in a row, bringing a dose of consistency to a board that begins the term with three new members.
Three IPS schools put on notice: schools could be ‘restarted,’ teachers made to reapply
The three schools were all named Monday by the district as candidates for conversion to “innovation” status following years of low test scores.
IPS superintendent lands bonus, even as district test scores go down
The same day the public learned that test scores fell at the vast majority of Indianapolis Public Schools, Superintendent Lewis Ferebee got a $26,999 bonus.
IPS sees test scores drop at vast majority of schools
Scores fell across the state, but the situation was worse in IPS, where the passing rate went down by 4 percentage points to 25.3 percent in 2016.
Indiana bucks the test score trend and posts a second straight year of declines
Across the state, 51.6 percent of students in grades 3-8 passed both the math and reading test, down from 53.5 percent in 2015.
Mind Trust has big plans for Indianapolis schools—and now it needs big money
The group is seeking to raise $32 million to fund the first half of its plan, which aims to double the number of students within Indianapolis Public Schools boundaries who attend highly rated schools.
Incumbent Odle loses IPS board seat in stunning shakeup
Sam Odle’s loss was a significant upset for the current administration. A former top executive at Indiana University Health, Odle won his seat with a wave of reformers in 2012.
Unanticipated resignation of IPS board member adds to uncertainty
LaNier Echols’ decision to quit could shake up an already contentious race for control of the IPS board. With 10 candidates vying for four seats on the seven-member board on Tuesday, the balance of power is at stake in the election even without Echols’ seat.
Indy charter school struggling with unexpectedly low enrollment
Ace Preparatory Academy, started by an aide to former Indiana schools superintendent Tony Bennett, is at about 22 percent of its initial expected enrollment, with just 33 students as of Oct. 19.
IPS board member, seeking re-election, faces criticism for ITT role
Samuel Odle, a former hospital executive who was elected to the IPS board in 2012, served on ITT’s board of directors since 2006. The for-profit higher education company closed in September in the wake of federal sanctions.
Former Ford plant—one of city’s ‘most endangered’ buildings—goes on market
Indiana Landmarks says it’s keen to save the Washington Street property because it has a leaky roof that is causing mold to grow inside the building which, left unchecked, can cause major damage.
Abandoned P.R. Mallory factory to get new life as Purdue high school
The east-side factory used to employ 1,500 dry-cell battery makers, but has been abandoned for decades.
IPS board OKs magnet-admission changes, opening doors to more diversity
Beginning next year, low-income students and children of color will have a better chance of admission to the most sought-after magnet programs in Indianapolis Public Schools.
IPS revamps budget to better fund schools with poor students, key grade levels
The new system is also meant to give school-level administrators more autonomy to develop programs and find efficiencies.