IPS Board Action Session

Board of School Commissioners of the City of Indianapolis
Education

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025
6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. EST

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120 E Walnut St Indianapolis 46204 (Directions)

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Regular meeting of the Indianapolis Public Schools board.

Questions? Email us at documenters@mirrorindy.org

Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Indianapolis - IN Documenters Team

Note-taking by Jae Henson

Regular meeting of the Indianapolis Public Schools board, which mainly centered around discussion of SB1 and SB518.

View notes
Live reporting by Janna Thomas

Regular meeting of the Indianapolis Public Schools board, which focused mainly on opinions about SB518.

Jan IndyDoc
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 2/29
And we are underway. I'm watching from the lobby of the IPS building
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 3/29
It's a packed house. Standing room only now in the lobby. First upon the agenda is the IPS Writing Center, which is open in all 4 high schools as of August 2023.
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 4/29
Some quick success stats.
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 5/29
In addition to writing help, the Writing Center's programming also includes peer tutoring, after-school tutoring and STEM tutoring.
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 6/29
Right now, we're hearing from the Writing Speciliasts at the schools along with spotlight students,peer tutors, sharing their success stories
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 7/29
The principal from Rousseau McClellan 91, a Montessori school. Some background info and what a Montessori school provides
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 8/29
Some performance data, showing improved test scores, as Ms Lause says, in part due to focusing on making sure students feel safe, respected, and a part of community. Ms. Kathy Lause is the principal of School 91
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 9/29
Commisioner Alissa Impink talks about state legislation, specifically the state's Senate bill 518. She stands firm in her commitment to the students and parents. Here's a link a link with more information wfyi.org/news/articles/…
wfyi.org/news/articles/…
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 10/29
Dr. Gayle Cosby also speaks up. "It's not equitable, it's not fair to the students and their families... 518 has us all fighting over scraps" She reiterated her opposition to 518 and that all schools should be properly funded.
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 11/29
Now onto public comment. 90 second remarks, due to high volume of comments expected. Usually 3 min time
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 12/29
Teacher at school 82, asking to take action behind the statement against Senate bill 518. "We are looking for action...if 518 goes through, we are going to have to close schools....We need action so we can assure our students have all that they need."
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 13/29
Another comment from an IPS teacher, parent, union member, wants the Board to oppose 518. He's anti charter because they are anti union.
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 14/29
A few public comments about staff shortages, where special teachers (art, band, choir, etc) would be shared amongst the schools. "This room is full of teachers and we are asking you to remember us"
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 15/29
Sorry, specialist* teachers. Cutting specialist teachers and replace them with part time teachers(i.e. art, science, gym, theatre). Splitting their time between 2 schools. Both parents and students have come to the podium in opposition to this
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 16/29
A couple comments in favor of 518. Currently charter schools don't support public transportation due to finances. With 518 and funds allocated equally, charter schools could now provide transportation and students could have a chance to attend
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 17/29
Some have called out the Board for their change of tune from Jan. Then, Board opposed 518, understanding the detriment of the bills and the allocation of funds out of IPS. To their Feb 21 statement which is now much more lukewarm to the bill. myips.org/blog/district/…
myips.org/blog/district/…
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 18/29
"Educating our children, shouldn't be profit-based" says another commenter. "Our school is a family, one that we will not let IPS pull apart" says a student speaker
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 19/29
A call for each individual to come out specifically 518. She goes on to say "charter schools have their own boards, we need you [IPS Board] to take care of the public schools already existing"
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 20/29
A commenter and IPS teacher says "the reason I don't want my itty bitty $400 tax dollars going to charter schools is because I don't know what the money is going to.... There's a 2mil surplus, we don't need to split up my itty bitty $400"
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 21/29
With reduced budgets, suspected to close 20 schools. One parent is concerned about students with disabilities being properly cared for
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 22/29
Some students from Circle City Prep give their comments, in support of 518, sharing their success stories
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 23/29
We've just now concluded the public comment. Parents, teachers, and students showed out to voice their concerns over Bill 518
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 24/29
Another segment of tonight's meeting is going over the budget report.
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 25/29
After the budget report, a group from public comment section is now present and given the floor
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 26/29
Now back to the board, who are now asking questions the finance team.
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 27/29
There's still some questions being asked to the finance team, mostly clarification and pinpointed #s questions based on the presentation given tonight. Next section of the agenda is new business
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 28/29
New business consisted of passing resolutions from presentations from a meeting Tuesday. Now onto closing remarks
Jan IndyDoc @indyDoc_is_in 29/29
We've reached the end of the meeting, it was a long one, but very important! Be sure to keep up with the latest of bill 518, and all things IPS. on behalf of @mirrorindy @indydocumenters , have a good night!! Meeting adjourned 9:42
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Agency Information

Board of School Commissioners of the City of Indianapolis

See meeting notes for details

myips.org

(317) 226-4418

See Documenters reporting

The Board of School Commissioners of the City of Indianapolis exists for the purpose of a governing system for providing a free, public education in grades K-12 for children within the boundaries of the Indianapolis Public School Corporation. ref. I.C. 20-26-5-1.

Current board members:

  • Angelia Moore, president
  • Hope Hampton, vice president
  • Deadra Thompson, secretary
  • Dr. Nicole Carey, commissioner
  • Allissa Impink, commissioner
  • Dr. Gayle Cosby, commissioner
  • Ashley Thomas, commissioner

The Board of School Commissioners of the City of Indianapolis are located at 120 E. Walnut Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. They can be contacted by phone at 317-226-4418. All agenda review and action session meetings of the board will be held in the Board Room of the John Morton-Finney Center for Educational Services unless otherwise noticed. All work sessions and board retreats will be held at an off site school location as noticed and listed on the district calendar.

Find a live stream of the meetings here: https://www.facebook.com/IPSSchools/videos

Find Documenters coverage of past board meetings: https://indianapolis-in.documenters.org/reporting/?agency=780

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