Mayor, IPS superintendent announce 5 priorities for city schools

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Education leaders in the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance announced their recommendations to the state government on Tuesday.

In a joint press release, Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson and Mayor Joe Hogsett outlined five priorities for education in the city.

The ILEA is set to vote on its final recommendations on Wednesday. Ahead of the vote, it hosted two town hall meetings for feedback from the community.

House Enrolled Act 1515 created the ILEA and tasked it with developing guidance on changes to the school board, facilities oversight, and transportation sharing between IPS and charter schools. According to the law, it needs to submit its recommendations by the end of the year.

The alliance is made up of nine members, including appointees from IPS and the Mayor’s office, as well as charter school advocates.

Johnson and Hogsett are requesting that IPS be exempt from a state law that allows school districts to lease or sell a decommissioned building, but only after it has been offered to charter programs to buy it for $1.

They’re also recommending that all public schools, traditional IPS, IPS innovation and charter schools be required to p...