There’s several opportunities coming up to learn more about how Indianapolis schools could change in the future.
The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance is a new group whose work will set the tone for what Indianapolis education will look like for years to come.
The alliance was established by state lawmakers earlier this year to study relationships between Indianapolis Public Schools and the charter schools within IPS boundaries. Since the summer, the group has been studying things like how kids get to school, where school buildings are located and how these systems could be improved.
State lawmakers gave the group an end-of-year deadline to use their findings to create a new facilities and transportation plan for Indianapolis schools. Their recommendations will likely apply to all IPS and charter schools within the district boundaries.
Their work could address how kids get to school, the number of schools open in Indianapolis and whether IPS should ask for another property tax referendum in the near future.
The group is now reaching a pivotal point in its work. Members are expected to present a first draft of their recommendations during a public meeting Nov. 19.
You’ll have several opportunities to catch up on what’s being considered ahead of that meeting. Several community meetings are coming up focused on a variety of viewpoints. Here’s what you need to know to mark your calendar:
Community Kickback
🗓️ 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
📍 Crispus Attucks High School gymnasium, 1140 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
IPS Commissioner Nicole Carey and state Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis, are having this community gathering to both talk about IPS and offer resources such as food and diapers to neighbors.
It comes amid uncertainty about when and how much federal support will be provided to SNAP recipients this month. The event is free and open to the public.
If you’re looking for other resources, Mirror Indy has compiled guides of community and school-based food pantries.
IPS Community Conversation
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11
📍 Anna Brochhausen School 88, 5801 E. 16th St.
IPS commissioners will discuss seven ideas they think the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance should consider in its end-of-year recommendations. The roundtable format meeting will allow families to share their own ideas and ask IPS leaders questions.
Find more information about this free meeting on the IPS website.
Beyond the Bell: Reimagining Transportation
🗓️ 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12
📍 Finish Line Boys & Girls Club, 3870 N. Post Road
A panel will talk about transportation barriers and ideas for making the commute to school easier at this event organized by The Mind Trust.
Panelists include state Rep. Bob Behning, City-County Council Majority Leader Maggie Lewis and Adelante Schools CEO Eddie Rangel. Behning, R-Indianapolis, is chair of the education committee in the state House of Representative and Lewis, who represents the northwest side, is a member of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance.
The conversation will be moderated by Andy Seibert who is executive director of TogetherEd, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that assists charter schools. TogetherEd was recently granted approval to join a state pilot program seeking to test new transportation options.
Registration for the free event is available online. Dinner will be provided.
Let’s Talk about Public Schools
🗓️ 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12
📍 Frederick Douglass Park Family Center, 1616 E. 25th St.
IPS Commissioner Gayle Cosby will join representatives from the Indiana Education Association, the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis and MADVoters in a panel discussion and Q&A.
The event is being organized by the Central Indiana Democratic Socialists of America’s Fully Funded, Fully Public campaign which has advocated in support of traditional IPS schools.
Food and drinks will be provided and kids’ activities will be available. Register online for the free event.
IPS Community Conversations
🗓️ 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13
📍 Virtual via Microsoft Teams
Similar to their Nov. 11 meeting, IPS commissioners will discuss their seven ideas they believe the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance should consider before making recommendations for changes to Indianapolis schools.
This meeting will be held virtually using Microsoft Teams. Find more information about this free meeting on the IPS website.
Indianapolis Local Education Alliance
🗓️ 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19
📍 Location to be determined
The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance will have its next public meeting where community members are invited to give public comment. Directions on how to register in advance for public comment are available on the alliance’s website.
Michael O’Connor, the group’s project manager, told Mirror Indy he expects the alliance will present options during the meeting to consider among the group’s end-of-year recommendations. Final recommendations likely won’t come until December.
A location hasn’t yet been announced for this meeting. An update will be posted to the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance website when further details are available.
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.
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