Latest news with #IndianapolisLocalEducationAlliance
Indianapolis Star
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
IPS parents must demand accountability from local education alliance
This year's session of the Indiana General Assembly forced parents to navigate difficult changes threatening to fragment our educational system, including cuts to pre-K, universal private school vouchers and division of funds for public schools with unelected charter school boards. It is of the utmost importance that public school parents join together to oppose this fragmentation at a community level. The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance, a body formed to study transportation and facility use among public and charter schools within the geographic boundaries of the Indianapolis Public School System, is an important entity to focus on. It has been hosting 'community conversations' in past weeks, but is not subject to Indiana's Open Door Law. As a result, there is a real concern among many parents about ILEA being used to promote special interests. It is imperative, then, that we demand accountability and ensure they promote the ideals of public education. Opinion: Indianapolis schools have once-in-a-generation chance for transformation | Opinion Indianapolis Public Schools has long been a pillar in our community. My daughter's school is an excellent example of how education can put community, joy and connection at the center of the school experience. Taking action to protect it now can ensure our children have the tools needed to thrive in an increasingly volatile and uncertain landscape.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hogsett announces public meetings for schools advisory group amid transparency concerns
Mayor Joe Hogsett's office on June 9 announced three public meetings scheduled for the coming months for the new Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), following speculation about whether the group would hold open meetings. The new alliance, which is tasked with making recommendations to state and city officials by the end of this year on how the Indianapolis Public Schools district can deepen its collaboration with charter schools in the city, aims to improve inefficiencies across the district and boost student success. The board, which was created by legislation passed earlier this spring, is not subject to Indiana's Open Door Law and therefore could opt to close its meetings. Speculation on whether the group's meetings would be open to the public arose after language was written into the legislation that created the group, exempting it from Indiana's Open Door Law. Members of the group said that while they hoped to hold many open meetings, they might need to discuss some topics behind closed doors before making them public. Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Wednesday, August 20, 2025 All of the meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at the City County Building at 200 E. Washington St. Information on which specific rooms the meetings will be held in, along with meeting agendas, will be shared closer to the meeting dates. More background on each ILEA member: They will decide the future of IPS, but will they let the public in? The group's last meeting, where members will vote on a final proposal, is required to be public. The final report must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2025. Anyone wishing to give in-person public comment at one of the upcoming public meetings for the alliance can do so by signing up ahead of time, starting at noon the business day prior to the meeting. Those who cannot come to the meetings but wish to submit online comments can do so at an online form that will open up closer to the date of the meetings. Those online comments will be accepted until noon on the day of the meeting and given to the members of the alliance ahead of each meeting. Anyone from the public also wishing to provide general feedback to the alliance can also email ILEA@ Parents asked to weigh in: Indiana unveils draft of A-F school grades model valuing tests and student skills The group will conduct a facility assessment on all the schools within IPS's boundaries, including traditional and charter campuses. It will then make recommendations regarding school facility 'structural changes,' as well as come up with a process for approving or denying future capital referendum requests. It will also create a template for revenue-sharing agreements between IPS and its charter school partners. The ILEA must also create methods for the district to increase collaboration with governmental entities, community organizations or local nonprofits to transform school facilities into 'broader community assets for residents,' according to the legislation that created the alliance. The group will also develop a transportation implementation plan to consider how best to serve all the district's students, in charter and district-run schools. Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter. The district is also holding "community conversations" this month where the public can share feedback and discuss the district's future. Those remaining meetings will be on: June 11 at James Russell Lowell School 51 | 3426 Roosevelt Ave. June 17 at William McKinley School 39 | 1733 Spann Ave. IPS families and other public school families are also being asked to share their thoughts on school transportation services in the city through an online survey. Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@ Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hogsett announces public meetings for Indy schools advisory group
Indianapolis Star
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Hogsett announces public meetings for schools advisory group amid transparency concerns
Mayor Joe Hogsett's office on June 9 announced three public meetings scheduled for the coming months for the new Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), following speculation about whether the group would hold open meetings. The new alliance, which is tasked with making recommendations to state and city officials by the end of this year on how the Indianapolis Public Schools district can deepen its collaboration with charter schools in the city, aims to improve inefficiencies across the district and boost student success. The board, which was created by legislation passed earlier this spring, is not subject to Indiana's Open Door Law and therefore could opt to close its meetings. Speculation on whether the group's meetings would be open to the public arose after language was written into the legislation that created the group, exempting it from Indiana's Open Door Law. Members of the group said that while they hoped to hold many open meetings, they might need to discuss some topics behind closed doors before making them public. All of the meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at the City County Building at 200 E. Washington St. Information on which specific rooms the meetings will be held in, along with meeting agendas, will be shared closer to the meeting dates. More background on each ILEA member: They will decide the future of IPS, but will they let the public in? The group's last meeting, where members will vote on a final proposal, is required to be public. The final report must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2025. Anyone wishing to give in-person public comment at one of the upcoming public meetings for the alliance can do so by signing up ahead of time, starting at noon the business day prior to the meeting. Those who cannot come to the meetings but wish to submit online comments can do so at an online form that will open up closer to the date of the meetings. Those online comments will be accepted until noon on the day of the meeting and given to the members of the alliance ahead of each meeting. Anyone from the public also wishing to provide general feedback to the alliance can also email ILEA@ Parents asked to weigh in: Indiana unveils draft of A-F school grades model valuing tests and student skills The group will conduct a facility assessment on all the schools within IPS's boundaries, including traditional and charter campuses. It will then make recommendations regarding school facility 'structural changes,' as well as come up with a process for approving or denying future capital referendum requests. It will also create a template for revenue-sharing agreements between IPS and its charter school partners. The ILEA must also create methods for the district to increase collaboration with governmental entities, community organizations or local nonprofits to transform school facilities into 'broader community assets for residents,' according to the legislation that created the alliance. The group will also develop a transportation implementation plan to consider how best to serve all the district's students, in charter and district-run schools. Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter. The district is also holding "community conversations" this month where the public can share feedback and discuss the district's future. Those remaining meetings will be on: IPS families and other public school families are also being asked to share their thoughts on school transportation services in the city through an online survey.
Indianapolis Star
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Hogsett announces public meetings for schools advisory group amid transparency concerns
Mayor Joe Hogsett's office on June 9 announced three public meetings scheduled for the coming months for the new Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), following speculation about whether the group would hold open meetings. The new alliance, which is tasked with making recommendations to state and city officials by the end of this year on how the Indianapolis Public Schools district can deepen its collaboration with charter schools in the city, aims to improve inefficiencies across the district and boost student success. The board, which was created by legislation passed earlier this spring, is not subject to Indiana's Open Door Law and therefore could opt to close its meetings. Speculation on whether the group's meetings would be open to the public arose after language was written into the legislation that created the group, exempting it from Indiana's Open Door Law. Members of the group said that while they hoped to hold many open meetings, they might need to discuss some topics behind closed doors before making them public. All of the meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at the City County Building at 200 E. Washington St. Information on which specific rooms the meetings will be held in, along with meeting agendas, will be shared closer to the meeting dates. More background on each ILEA member: They will decide the future of IPS, but will they let the public in? The group's last meeting, where members will vote on a final proposal, is required to be public. The final report must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2025. Anyone wishing to give in-person public comment at one of the upcoming public meetings for the alliance can do so by signing up ahead of time, starting at noon the business day prior to the meeting. Those who cannot come to the meetings but wish to submit online comments can do so at an online form that will open up closer to the date of the meetings. Those online comments will be accepted until noon on the day of the meeting and given to the members of the alliance ahead of each meeting. Anyone from the public also wishing to provide general feedback to the alliance can also email ILEA@ Parents asked to weigh in: Indiana unveils draft of A-F school grades model valuing tests and student skills The group will conduct a facility assessment on all the schools within IPS's boundaries, including traditional and charter campuses. It will then make recommendations regarding school facility 'structural changes,' as well as come up with a process for approving or denying future capital referendum requests. It will also create a template for revenue-sharing agreements between IPS and its charter school partners. The ILEA must also create methods for the district to increase collaboration with governmental entities, community organizations or local nonprofits to transform school facilities into 'broader community assets for residents,' according to the legislation that created the alliance. The group will also develop a transportation implementation plan to consider how best to serve all the district's students, in charter and district-run schools. Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter. The district is also holding "community conversations" this month where the public can share feedback and discuss the district's future. Those remaining meetings will be on: IPS families and other public school families are also being asked to share their thoughts on school transportation services in the city through an online survey.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hogsett, IPS names members of group shaping the future of the district. Who they picked
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Aleesia Johnson have announced the nine members who will help design major changes to how the district will work with charter schools in the future. The announcement was dropped at 4 p.m. on the Friday before the city prepares for the Indianapolis 500 and the Memorial Day holiday. This group, known as the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), was created out of legislation passed this year under House Bill 1515. Hogsett and Johnson were responsible for appointing the group members, along with the IPS school board president. The group could make consequential decisions on how the district uses its buildings and transportation going forward, a topic that has generated intense debate from parents on both sides of the argument on whether the district should expand its collaboration with local charter schools. Hogsett said that the goal of this alliance is to "deepen collaboration across traditional public and public charter schools and support a strong academic experience for all students." 'These accomplished civic leaders are ready to chart a course for the future of education within the IPS boundary,' said Mayor Hogsett. 'I am proud to lead them as we embark on this critical work, and I am confident we will create a plan that ensures a stable, sustainable and collaborative path forward for our schools.' The members of the new alliance include: Mayor Joe Hogsett - Chairperson Dr. Aleesia Johnson - Superintendent, Indianapolis Public Schools Bart Peterson - Former mayor; former CEO of Christel House International; former senior vice president of corporate affairs and communication for Eli Lilly and Company (mayoral appointee) Maggie Lewis - Majority leader of the Indianapolis City-County Council; CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis (mayoral appointee) Angela Smith-Jones - Associate vice president for state relations at Indiana University; former deputy mayor of economic development; former general counsel for the Indy Chamber (mayoral appointee) Tobin McClamroch - Managing partner of Dentons Bingham Greenebaum; chair of the Marian University Board of Trustees, (mayoral appointee) Barato Britt - President/CEO of Edna Martin Christian Center (IPS Board President appointee) Tina Ahlgren - Teacher at H.L. Harshman Middle School; Hoosier Educator of the Year, 2024; IPS Teacher of the Year, 2014 (IPS district-managed school parent appointee) Andrew Neal - CEO of Outreach Indiana; former chief operating officer of Brookside Community Development Corporation (IPS innovation school parent appointee) The first meeting of the alliance must be held before July 1, 2025. Information about future meetings will be shared in the coming weeks, according to the press release from Hogsett's office. The group will work to conduct a facility assessment on all the schools within IPS's boundaries, including traditional and charter campuses. It will then make recommendations regarding school facility 'structural changes,' as well as come up with a process for approving or denying future capital referendum requests. It will also create a template for revenue-sharing agreements between IPS and its charter school partners. The ILEA must also create methods on how the district can increase collaboration with governmental entities, community organizations or local nonprofits on how to transform school facilities into 'broader community assets for residents.' The group is meant to create a transportation implementation plan that would consider how to best serve all the district's students, in charter and district-run schools. More on this SB 1515: This group will guide IPS's future. Hogsett asked lawmakers to make its meetings private During the legislature's last remaining hours of session, lawmakers added language to the bill that allows the ILEA to be exempt from Indiana's Open Door Law, a policy which gives members of the public the right to attend meetings of governing bodies or public agencies. The bill's author, Rep. Bill Behning, R-Indianapolis, said that language was included at the request of Mayor Joe Hogsett, and that the group can decide for themselves if it wants the meetings open to the public. The ILEA's final meeting, where the members will vote on a final proposal, is required to be a public meeting. The alliance is required to file its final report and recommendations by Dec. 31, 2025. Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@ Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hogsett, IPS names members of group shaping the future of the district
