Sign up for Chalkbeat Indiana’s free daily newsletter to keep up with Indianapolis Public Schools, Marion County’s township districts, and statewide education news.The new governing body for Indianapolis schools met for the first time Tuesday and discussed asking voters for a property tax increase in the fall. Placing an operating referendum on the ballot is one of the key duties of the new Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, which has also been tasked by state lawmakers with overseeing transportation and buildings for district and charter schools. In addition to the referendum discussion, IPEC on Tuesday appointed an acting executive director, approved a funding request for its work, and discussed the process of hiring a full-time director. While it’s not certain if IPEC will pursue a referendum, passing one could be critical to the Indianapolis Public Schools’ long-term stability. The district faces a budget deficit, and its current referendum expires this year.But first, the corporation must undertake a series of steps, including gathering information on student enrollment and giving charter schools the opportunity to opt into the referendum. All of these steps need to happen before IPEC votes on a resolution to place a referendum on the November ballot. They did not take action on a referendum on Tuesday. Board members largely asked logistics questions such as what their role would be.The corporation will have to answer two critical questions: how much to ask for from voters and how many years the referendum should run,Michael O’Connor of Bose Public Affairs told the members. O’Connor also facilitated the meetings of the body that preceded IPEC, the Indianapolis Local Education Association. His contract to work with the new board was extended through May. The corporation would also be involved in advocating for the referendum to pass. During its first meeting, the corporation also voted to request for funding for itself from the Marion County Treasurer, as allowed by the state law that created the body. It will seek 3% of the property tax revenues used for operating expenses for IPS and participating charter schools in order to pay an executive director, staff, and consultants. The meeting lasted approximately one hour at the City-County building, where a handful of protesters had gathered outside with signs to oppose the unelected board taking some powers from the elected IPS board. About two dozen people attended the meeting, including IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson, and there was no public comment period.Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett appointed the nine members last month and swore them in at the Tuesday meeting. The board includes three IPS board members, three representatives of charter schools, and three experts in areas relevant to the corporation’s work as required by state law.The corporation is chaired by David Harris, the charter schools director under former mayor Bart Peterson. Harris and Peterson co-founded the Mind Trust, an influential nonprofit that helps launch charter schools. One of the expert appointees, Edward Rangel, is also a charter school leader, tipping the board in favor of charter schools when it comes to decisions, including those about buildings — an ongoing point of contention in Indianapolis’ school choice ecosystem. O’Connor was also appointed acting executive director of IPEC while the corporation waits for Hogsett to choose a full-time director. The hiring process — including creating a job description and determining a salary range — begins immediately, and the goal is to hire by mid-May, O’Connor said. IPEC will vote on the candidate the mayor selects. Harris said he would poll the members of the corporation to appoint a vice chair and secretary. Both a website for IPEC and email addresses for IPEC members are forthcoming, O’Connor said. The corporation will next meet on May 28, time and location to be determined.Member Ashley Thomas asked that some future meetings be held in the evenings to allow more people affected by the work of the board to attend. Aleksandra Appleton covers Indiana education policy and writes about K-12 schools across the state. Contact her at aappleton@chalkbeat.org.
