IPS board, families push back against bill that would disband district

The board of commissioners for Indianapolis Public Schools "strongly opposes" legislation in the Indiana Statehouse that would dissolve the district. House Bill 1136 would eliminate the local school boards at IPS and four other districts and convert all the schools to charter status.

In a statement, the district said it opposes any bill that threatens local authority and community control of public schools.

At a board meeting Tuesday night, parents and students spoke against the bill. They said it would exacerbate inequalities already present in the high poverty district. Some also said the community is invested in traditional public schools and should not be removed.

Kristen Phair urged the board to oppose the bill. She has three kids in IPS and has been sending her kids there for the last seven years.

“There's a concerted effort nationally to dismantle our public education system, and House Bill 1136 is just one example of it,” said Phair, who ran for the District 3 seat on the board in 2022 and lost. “So it makes me emotional, because I care about all the kids in this district.”

Hope Hampton, president of the board, said the bill would jeopardize the education of tens of thousands of students. IPS enrolls a total of 31,300 students. This includes students enrolled at charter schools operated in partnership but managed independently within the district.

“HB 1136, as currently proposed, threatens to cause massive disruption to our public school system, diverting attention and resources away from the vital education and support our students need to succeed,” Hampton said at the meeting. “This legislation is not student-focused and fails to reflect the community's input on how they envision their public schools thriving. Instead of fostering growth and innovation.HB 1136 risks dismantling the very foundation that supports student success and community collaboration.”

Phair said that she was pleased with the board's decision to outwardly oppose the bill.

“I think they fulfilled my ask, which was to oppose House Bill 1136,” she said. “But my other ask would be to come into our schools, see what the district-run schools are doing and why they're so important, and advocate for us, especially in the ways that we need funding.”

The bill states that if more than 50% of students residing within a school district’s boundaries were enrolled in schools not operated by the district as of Oct. 1 of the previous year, the district must be dissolved. School districts’ average daily enrollment is determined on that date annually.

That would mean 68 schools in the state, including 50 IPS schools, would be converted to charter schools by mid-2028.

The legislation comes as the district leaders face growing skepticism over their ability to manage the district. Last week, a bipartisan group of Indianapolis politicians. including two former mayors, urged the district to address financial and operational challenges and share resources with charter schools.

In IPS, enrollment in district-managed schools decreased in grades 6-8 by over 750 students in the last year. Nearly 40% of students who live in the district boundary attend charter schools who partner with the district and independent charters.

In a letter sent to district families, the district urged them to contact their state legislators to oppose HB 1136 and advocate the district. They suggested familes emphasize the importance of preserving local decision-making and avoiding disruptions to students and families, individuals are encouraged to share personal stories about how IPS has positively impacted their lives.

The distict also touted some improvements: In the past decade, IPS graduation rates rose from 60% to 87%.

Tuesday’s meeting was also the first meeting since the November election when four commissioners were elected: Gayle Cosby, Deandra Thompson, Allissa Impink and Ashley Thomas. They were sworn in by Mayor Joe Hogsett at the beginning of the meeting.

Board members voted Angelia Moore as president of the board and Hope Hampton was voted vice president. Newcomer Deandra Thompson was voted secretary.

WFYI education reporter Sydney Dauphinais covers Marion County schools. Contact her at sdauphinais@wfyi.org.