IPS drops employee attendance requirement for $1,500 bonuses
The bonuses were meant to help the district as it struggled to retain staff during the pandemic. They are being funded with $14 million in federal COVID relief.
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Two races uncontested in IPS school board election
Two candidates are unopposed in separate races. A third seat attracted only two candidates. And three incumbent board members chose not to seek re-election after a single term.
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.
Closing, consolidating IPS schools could depend on condition, usage scores
The fate of more than 60 district schools may be determined in the coming weeks, as IPS grapples with declining enrollment in its traditional neighborhood schools.
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.
IPS reports jump in share of freshmen on track to graduate
Some of the biggest gains happened at Crispus Attucks and George Washington high schools, which each reported an increase of 20 percentage points for on-track rates compared to last year.
Federal judge rules in favor of transgender softball player
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana sued Indianapolis Public Schools on behalf of a 10-year-old, who will no longer be able to play softball on her school’s all-girls’ softball team.
IPS expanding virtual tutoring at low-performing schools
Virtual tutoring is the latest addition to a suite of tutoring efforts the district is launching to address academic declines after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shuffling grades, closing school buildings: IPS proposes sweeping changes
The future of Indianapolis Public Schools has come into clearer focus after district officials outlined five potential solutions to the district’s financial challenges, including merging small schools and reconfiguring middle school grades.
Here’s how IPS has spent its federal pandemic funding so far
Indianapolis Public Schools has spent around 10% of its $213.5 million in federal COVID-19 funding to date. That figure is low compared to other districts in Indiana and across the country, but IPS officials are preparing to spend the full allocation.
IPS teachers might miss out on bonuses after quarantining for COVID
Indianapolis Public Schools offered retention bonuses in late March to 3,200 eligible staff members, but they came with an attendance requirement that staff couldn’t take more than two sick days for the remainder of the semester.
IPS plans large-scale solar project with Carmel-based firm
The district says the project initially would place solar panel arrays on 20 schools and eventually save tens of millions of dollars in energy costs.
IPS officials study possibility of merging some smaller schools
Whether a student can play a sport, study advanced math, or sing in a choir varies widely by where they attend school, Indianapolis Public School officials said at the latest in a series of meetings that raise the possibility of closing some schools.
Purdue Poly seeks deal to use Broad Ripple High School for one year
Indianapolis Public Schools is considering letting Purdue Polytechnic High School North temporarily use part of the building while the charter school’s permanent home is under construction.
IPS to spend $15M on retention bonuses, more flexibility for teachers
Indianapolis Public Schools plans to spend federal emergency funds on cash bonuses to reward staff who stay with the district, officials announced last week.
‘Everything is on the table’ as IPS addresses enrollment decline, too many schools
The fiscal pressures raise the question of whether district leaders will consider closing schools—an option used recently to address a shrinking enrollment of secondary grades.
IPS likely to close Joyce Kilmer School 69 after losing innovation charter partner
Kindezi Academy, the charter operator that revamped the school in 2016, announced Friday that it would end its partnership with IPS and shut down operations in June due to low student outcomes and facility issues.
IPS considers new charter partner to run struggling west-side school
School 42, a small K-6 school, has faced years of declining achievement that ultimately led IPS to decline to renew a contract with Ignite, its current operator.
IPS offers teacher apprenticeship, principal residency to attract educators of color
Like many other school districts, IPS wants to diversify its teaching staff to be more representative of the students they serve.
IPS hopes to turn former high school into community hub
The Indianapolis Public Schools Board of Commissioners approved a plan Thursday to sell the John Marshall school building to a yet to be determined not-for-profit organization for $725,000.