I wish I had time to attend one of the community meetings where the public is invited to respond to the “Indianapolis Public Schools Facilities Utilization Task Force” report. I can’t imagine Crispus Attucks having to go through this again, especially given all of the remarkable history that was just featured in the Ted Greene film “Attucks: The School that Opened A City,” but I know with these types of decisions, sometimes history doesn’t matter — or winning basketball seasons. I don’t envy anyone who has to make that decision. I advise just using the “last hired, first fired” rule based on the year the school was built — as indicated in the 1968–69 IPS snapshot chart offered on Page 12 of the report, and considering there are only seven left. Allowing for the gentrification lens, my guess is that Northwest (1963), George Washington (1927) and Broad Ripple (1923) are on the chopping block. But that would seem a little arbitrary and unscientific, plus Broad Ripple has that nice new grocery store and parking facility, so Crispus Attucks could be at play. Nah.
I have no school-age children but do have a love of public schools, and as a community member I am interested in the success of all of our children. Some of them will be wounded by the inept and irresponsible handling of this IPS system that has brought it to this point, so at the very least I feel a moral obligation to ask a few questions simply in solidarity with the families of these children. Therefore, I decided to read the “Indianapolis Public Schools Facilities Utilization Task Force” report, paying special attention to factors that could possibly influence the writing of the report, which should explain my particular questions.
Curiously the report begins with the statement, “It’s a new day in Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS),” and then goes on to provide a description of the academic, operational and financial successes that have occurred under the current superintendent, Dr. Lewis Ferebee. And yet following that impressive list, in four years we are now facing school closures. I don’t think that is the “new day” we were counting on. The report also suggests the following on Page 5: “Despite unprecedented growth in economic development and housing in the IPS district and Marion County, the Taskforce did not find evidence of corresponding growth enrollment for IPS’ high school population in the next decade.” Here comes my first question: Why not? I looked for a footnote of how this was determined, but it simply stated that elementary and middle school growth would not lead to growth at the high schools. And thus, my second question is, where are these children going to high school?
I appreciated the historical context presented and the discussion of the charter school growth since the 2000s, but a number of those have failed. I have heard of one success story, which is Herron High School. I know they are opening a second high school, and I thought they were trying to become a part of the Indianapolis Public School district? That can serve as my third question, because you would have to admit, it wouldn’t be good timing on their part.
I have another related question. One of the task force members is Bill Taft of the “Local Initiatives Support Corporation.” Is he related to Joanna Taft, founding board member for Herron High School? If so, I would think that having someone close to a charter school person would be somewhat of a conflict of interest, but perhaps not. It’s just a question. More questions: Why does the task force consist of eight internal members yet only one who is from “academics?” Is that person a teacher? School principal? Are there any parents represented on this task force? And because I don’t have an infinite amount of column space, my last question is: Why are there so many citations coming from “Downtown Indy, Inc.?”
Dr. Terri Jett is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Special Assistant to the Provost for Diversity and Inclusivity at Butler University.
