Report: IPS Superintendent Lewis Ferebee Finalist For D.C. Schools Job

The Washington Post reported Saturday night Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee is in the running for a job leading D.C. schools.

A source close to the search process confirmed Ferebee’s name along with another candidate, the district's interim chancellor, according to The Post.

In April, Ferebee was a finalist for a job leading Los Angeles schools. However, he later withdrew his name from consideration.

Ferebee has overseen a broad range of reforms since becoming the IPS leader in 2013. His willingness to partner with charter schools has drawn national acclaim and some local criticism.

Ferebee fought for passage of a state law that allows public schools districts to partner with charter operators to create new schools or restart failing schools by contracting outside groups. In just a few years, Ferebee expanded that model in the district to create 20 autonomous schools. 

Ferebee is also fresh off the success of the November election when Marion County voters overwhelmingly approved two property-tax increases worth a total of $272 million for IPS to increase teacher pay and fund a wide array of safety initiatives.

Yet during the same election, two school board commissioner candidates with campaigns that criticized Ferebee’s leadership and policies won seats.

In IPS, the school board and superintendent work closely together to approve district policies. 

IPS or Ferebee did not immediately return a request for comment Sunday evening.