Cortney Alred Banks, 16, is a junior in Arsenal Tech’s certified nursing assistant program.
The program is popular and offers certifications that students can use in real-world careers. But, Alred Banks said, she’s heard students have dropped out in the past after seeing the cost of required tests, textbooks and scrubs.
Luckily, the program was free this year. But, Alred Banks said she worries cuts to her school’s funding could change this.
“Not having that free stuff,” she said, “that’s going to cause a lot of people to drop out.”
Alred Banks was one of about 50 students from across Indianapolis to participate in an IPS Student Action Day on March 20.
Students came from IPS’ Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, George Washington and Shortridge high schools, as well as KIPP Indy Legacy High and Phalen Leadership Academy — two charter schools in IPS’ partnering innovation network.
At the event, students heard from state lawmakers, a school board commissioner and IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson, who encouraged students to exercise their voice.
“Individually, we can’t get a lot done,” Johnson said. “But, collectively, as a group, we can change this world, and we’re depending on you as young people to make that happen.”
The planned event was a first for the district, Johnson said. It comes amid a backdrop of tension at the Statehouse as lawmakers this year debate funding changes that could see public districts like IPS sharing property tax dollars with charter schools.
Three Democratic lawmakers representing Indianapolis neighborhoods — Sen. Andrea Hunley, Rep. Greg Porter and Rep. Ed DeLaney — spoke to students, each offering their own observations on the debate surrounding public education.
Students were clearly aware of the issue. One high schooler quickly piped up with the number of the contentious property tax bill when Hunley asked what legislation the teens had heard about.
“What’s frustrating about that bill,” Hunley told the group of both traditional public school and charter school students. “It does not acknowledge all of the partnership work that’s happening between the innovation schools that are happening here in IPS.”
After hearing from the lawmakers, students from Arsenal Tech said they felt motivated.
They shared what matters to them in their experiences at an IPS school — including their access to nursing, cosmetology and computer science programs — and talked about how they’ve had to make do with what they have.
Arsenal Tech junior Ofelia Amparano, 17, is a stage manager for the school’s theater program. She says the teens often piece together or reuse materials for their performances. She worries about whether her director’s position is safe with the school.
The teen said she plans to share these concerns in letters that the students were encouraged to write to lawmakers. She said she wants them to know that she has her own voice independent of the adults around her.
“When it comes to speaking your voice,” Amparano said, “you always just have to repeat and repeat until they finally listen.”
Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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