Indianapolis Public Schools laying off 163 workers
Indiana's largest school district is planning to lay off 163 workers, including 94 teachers, largely because of the state takeover of four schools starting this fall.
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IPS says it must cut $27 million from budget
The proposed cuts represent about 5 percent of Indianapolis Public Schools’ current budget. IPS Superintendent Eugene White will detail his spending-reduction plan on May 24 at the IPS’ central office building.
Zionsville voters face lone area school-funding referendum
Zionsville’s school district is asking taxpayers to address a $2.5 million budget shortfall. Meanwhile, in Johnson County, voters will consider whether to help finance a $30 million project that includes the construction of a 70,000-square-foot library.
Performance considered in Indianapolis teacher layoffs
The planned layoff of about 80 teachers by Indianapolis Public Schools will be among the first under a new state law that allows teacher performance to be considered in deciding who will be let go.
Zionsville might pass on full-day kindergarten funds
Superintendent Scott Robison informally recommended in March that the school system take a pass on the new funding because it still does not fully cover the costs required to expand its kindergarten program from half days to full days.
Judge taps special prosecutor for Martinsville Schools probe
The exact nature of the probe is not clear. The appointment comes after the school district placed Jeff McGown, a Martinsville second-grade teacher and High School girls tennis coach, on administrative leave last week.
EDITORIAL: White’s plan for IPS lacks vision, innovation
Indianapolis Public Schools chief Eugene White projected a defiant tilt toward the status quo.
IPS issues rebuttal to Mind Trust’s reform plan
In an hour-long defense of Indianapolis Public Schools, Superintendent Eugene White outlined plans to streamline administrative staff, create more choices for parents, direct more resources to the district’s most challenged schools and give more autonomy to its highest performing schools.
New statewide exam to test students’ critical thinking
The test will replace the ISTEP exam currently taken by Indiana students in grades 3 through 11 and end-of-course assessments taken at the end of algebra 1 and English 10 classes.
Political, legal fights emerge over school vouchers
For all the arguments in favor of school vouchers, there are opponents who say vouchers erode public schools by taking away money, violate the separation of church and state by giving public dollars to religious-based private schools, and aren't a proven way to improve test scores.
Indiana to get $9.3 million for struggling public schools
Schools taking part in the federal funding must implement one of four intervention models to get their programs back on track and to boost students’ academic performance.
White wins no new job offers, will remain IPS chief
IPS superintendent Eugene White had been among the finalists for the top jobs at schools systems in Mobile, Ala., and in Greenville, S.C. But both districts chose this week to appoint internal candidates to lead their school systems.
Tax caps zap schools in Zionsville; Lebanon district awash in cash
Changes made five years ago in state property-tax laws have strangled the school district in wealthy Zionsville, while schools in neighboring blue-collar Lebanon are in solid financial shape.
New standardized test could be tougher than ISTEP
State Superintendent Tony Bennett said the new Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, test in the 2014-2015 school year will be more difficult than the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress Plus exam.
Building rentals help school district make ends meet
Franklin is planning to raise $120,000 by renting the performing arts center and middle school auditorium this year — six times what the district made in rental fees four years ago.
Indiana school district expected to end bus fees
A cash-strapped Indiana school district that angered parents by turning its buses over to a not-for-profit that began charging for children to ride will likely end that practice soon.
IPS chief White a finalist for top job at Alabama system
Eugene White, superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools, is now a finalist to lead a school system in Mobile County in Alabama, and he is interviewing for another superintendent’s post in South Carolina.
Minor Indiana school reforms find last-minute success
Indiana lawmakers signed off on minor school changes at the close of the 2012 session while reining in broader efforts sought by state schools Superintendent Tony Bennett.
Battle for students raises financial concern for turnaround schools
Just 62 percent of the students at four IPS schools being taken over by turnaround operators have chosen to remain at the schools, a situation that could shrink funding. The operators say the district has stymied their ability to inform students and their parents about their plans.
Fight over tuition for immigrants derails bill
Indiana senators fearing a backlash from conservatives scuttled an expansive education proposal this week after it was amended to grant in-state tuition to illegal immigrants already enrolled in state schools.