Unprecedented IPS school board election will help decide how much power the district keeps
Did you know search engines like Google are changing the way you see news? Keep Chalkbeat’s valuable education coverage at the top of your feeds by clicking here and checking the box next to our name . Voters will elect members of the new Indianapolis Public Schools board on Nov. 3. But this isn’t the kind of school board election the city has seen before. Fifteen candidates are running for five…
On November 3rd, voters in Indianapolis will elect members of a new school board for the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). This election marks a departure from previous elections, as the board will face reduced authority over taxes, referendums, debt, transportation, and facilities. These responsibilities have been transferred to the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation (IPEC), established by state lawmakers.
IPEC was created to establish unified control over IPS and charter schools within the district's boundaries. The relationship between the new board members and IPEC will be crucial in determining how much power the district retains and how it responds to challenges such as declining enrollment, financial pressures, and conflicts with charter schools. The district has already experienced conflicts with state lawmakers over funding systems and has recently lost authority over certain revenues due to new laws.
During the November election, the district will also face a $95 million referendum that, if approved, would provide about half of the referendum revenue to IPS schools. However, the district expects to make significant cuts even if the referendum passes. Charter schools will receive the remaining funds.
While the IPS board retains control over academics, budget, hiring and firing the superintendent, and adopting the annual budget, the new board members must work collaboratively with IPEC to reshape the district. This may include school closures. However, the existing power imbalance may lead to animosity and tension among board members.
Experts warn that the model may be difficult for the IPS board to navigate successfully due to competing interests and goals. Among the candidates, there are two schools of thought regarding IPEC. Hope Duke Star, the current IPS board president and District 3 representative on IPEC, seeks reelection and has historically been supported by charter school funding groups. She emphasizes the need for collaboration and preventing potential harm to families.
On the other hand, Lindsey Cornett, who ran for the District 4 seat before IPEC was formed, believes that holding IPEC accountable is crucial. Cornett criticized IPEC's spending plans and aims to ensure that the corporation fulfills its responsibilities. Ultimately, if policymakers view IPS as uncooperative, the legislature may impose further restrictions or reductions in authority.
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