Indianapolis Public Schools leaders are looking for parents to help decide the future of public education in the city.
Last week, the district opened a nomination process for parents who want to join the new Indianapolis Local Education Alliance.
The alliance comes out of a charged legislative session that saw debate over school funding and how best to educate students in Indianapolis’ district and charter schools.
One bill passed last month created the alliance to bring district and charter school leaders together. The legislation asks them to explore educational facilities, transportation and funding mechanisms for both IPS and charter schools.
It comes as charter school advocates have pushed to increase their share of funding, and parents have grown restless over limited transportation options to their chosen schools.
This advisory board will meet between July and December to explore these issues and propose ideas for change to local and state officials. The new law states their recommendations could include everything from central office efficiencies to school consolidation.
By statute, the alliance must include Mayor Joe Hogsett and four of his appointees, IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson and two of her appointees, and a representative appointed by IPS Board President Angelia Moore.
The alliance must have its first meeting by July 1.
Make a nomination to the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance
Two of Johnson’s appointees must be parents — one from a district-managed school and the other from an IPS Innovation Network Charter school.
(Not sure which type of school your child attends? You can find a list of IPS Innovation schools on the district’s website.)
The IPS Board of Trustees president must also nominate someone to the board. The only requirements are that the representative is not a sitting IPS commissioner and that they live within the IPS district.
IPS is asking that those interested in any of the three positions fill out a nomination form on the district’s website by 11:59 p.m. May 11.
IPS officials anticipate alliance members will participate in three onboarding sessions and at least five hours of work each month from July to December. The alliance’s final recommendations are due Dec. 31.
A city spokesperson said Hogsett anticipates making his appointments to the alliance in the coming weeks. At least one of Hogsett’s four appointments must be a representative of the business community.
Marion County residents interested in representing the city on the board can express their interest in an email to OTMapprovals@indy.gov.
Indianapolis Public Schools to organize summer town halls
IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson announced the nomination process in a video address posted to the district’s YouTube page on May 2.
In the video, she also addressed other legislation affecting the district that passed this year, including a bill that enacts greater sharing of property tax dollars with charter schools.
Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson's update on the 2025 Legislative Session pic.twitter.com/n2Xc28qmpz
— IPS (@IPSSchools) May 2, 2025
While the revenue will be phased-in over time and won’t begin until 2028, IPS officials have testified that such a change in funding could cost the district millions of dollars, resulting in school closures and transportation cuts.
Johnson made clear, however, in her May 2 statements that the district doesn’t anticipate major changes ahead of the 2025-26 school year.
“We will vigorously pursue savings and cost reduction opportunities,” Johnson said, “But we will do so while keeping stability for students and families at the forefront.”
The superintendent also announced a series of community town halls in June — ahead of the first Indianapolis Local Education Alliance meeting. Dates, times and locations for these meetings will be announced in June, according to an IPS news release.
To learn more about the education alliance and watch the superintendent’s full statements, visit IPS’ 2025 Legislative Priorities website.
You can also find a link on this page to a new survey district officials say will help the education alliance when making its recommendations about school transportation.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
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.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
