Indianapolis Education Association Demands IPS Board Halt New Charter Agreements

INDIANAPOLIS – Ahead of Thursday’s Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) Board of Commissioners meeting, the Indianapolis Education Association (IEA) is renewing its call for the Board to rescind Board Policy #8020 and reinstate a moratorium on new charter agreements and charter expansions that divert resources from IPS-managed schools.

At the February 27 IPS Board meeting, IEA urged commissioners to take immediate action to protect IPS schools from financial instability caused by continued charter expansion. At Thursday’s meeting, IEA will present a petition signed by more than 1,000 educators and community members who share concerns about how these policies are harming IPS schools and students.

“The unchecked expansion of charter schools continues to divert critical funding from our neighborhood schools, threatening the stability of IPS,” said IEA President Ronald Swann. “With SB 518 now moving through the legislature, IPS would be forced to share even more of its already-limited property tax revenue with charter schools. This will only accelerate school closures, job losses and cuts to student services.”

"What happens to the students and families left behind when their schools are closed and their bus routes disappear?" Swann asked. "This is not just a policy issue—this is a crisis for IPS families, teachers and staff.”

Neighborhood public schools are the foundation of our communities. IPS-managed schools serve all students, regardless of background, needs or ability. With limited state and local funding, IPS cannot continue supporting an expanding network of charter schools at the expense of the students, teachers and families who have chosen IPS.

IEA urges the IPS Board of Commissioners to:

1. Rescind Board Resolution #8020 and reinstate a moratorium on new charter agreements and expansions that divert resources from IPS-managed schools.

2. Advocate against SB 518 and any policies that further drain IPS resources to fund charter schools.

3. Collaborate with IEA on a solutions-focused plan to address concerns from the legislature.

“The IPS Board must take action to protect the students, families and educators who rely on our public schools every day,” Swann said. Hundreds of community members have already signed on to demand that IPS put students first, now it's time for the Board to take action.”

The Indianapolis Education Association (IEA) is the exclusive representative for the certified educators of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). IEA advocates for educators, students and strong schools in the IPS community.

As a local affiliate of the Indiana State Teachers Association, IEA works to ensure that IPS educators have a voice in shaping education policy and protecting the integrity of public education.