Lots of things going on in IPS right now.
Quite honestly we have had some very good productive meetings lately. There's no easy way to blog about it all, so I am separating it by topics.
Superbowl- We have had a lot of discussion regarding busing and parking and traffic. I hope schools downtown take advantage of this opportunity to raise funds by charging for parking on game day and weekend events. Dr. White stated 50% goes to the school and 50% to IPS corporate. My first reaction to this was, "uh.....what?" However when he explained that IPS holds all liability if something goes wrong, it then made sense to me.
Takeover - We had a meeting with Tony Bennett regarding the current schools in takeover, the ones with lead partners, and the only school on the list for next year, which is John Marshall. I think that meeting was a very open and honest discussion. I am thankful for Dr. Bennett for always being willing to attend such meetings. Also in attendance were Jim Larson, Director of School Improvement and Turnaround and Dale Chu, assistant Supt. for Policy, Legal and Communications Operations. I have met Dale previously, he has a wealth of knowledge. And I really like Jim, he has a great way of explaining things and making sure everyone understands. Dr. Bennett did state that Dr. White has been very cooperative in this process, event though the media has portrayed him to be less than easy to deal with. However, there were concerns about other IPS employees not being helpful to the process. Overall, it was a good meeting and I hope we can work out hte kinks that are still up in the air.
Administrators - The board had to vote on a list of administrators to receive letters notifying them of termination. I did not oppose this plan, because I know that hard decisions will have to be made soon. Once a certain date has passed we can no longer notify individuals. Not everyone on the list is a guaranteed termination. There are some of the list I feel very strong about, meaning I don't want to see them go. Needing more discussion on the matter the Superintendent offered to hold an Executive Session regarding these employees. This will be a time that we can ask specifics and really understand why these individuals were placed on the list.
Manual - I visited Manual the other day. In a way, I can really empathize with the staff and students that are in the takeover schools this year. Howe closed after I graduated, and I remember the disruption it had in all of our lives. Everything seemed to be going well at Manual. I stood in the halls during passing period and was pleased with the students behaviors. The principal took time with me and answered some questions. I visited with the wonderful parent liaison, Les Martin, whom I met last year at Emma Donnan. The artwork on the walls were more than impressive. And I visited the choir room. Probably my favorite place to visit in a school because that is where I belonged. I had a wonderful visit and I thank the staff for welcoming me.
I know there is more to update you with, I will try and do a better job of keeping the blog updated.
On the schedule this week is our Education Committee Meeting on Thursday Feb. 2nd beginning at 5:30. All of our Committee meetings are open to the public. The following week we have our Legislative meeting on Monday Feb. 6th at 5:30.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A New Year
Elected officials are being sworn in today. I can't help but think about this day next year, and what it might mean for the IPS School Board. My hope is that there is no longer a majority. Not just the 4/3 split we seem to have now, but any 4/3 split. I hope that we can have 7 independent thinkers who base every vote on putting the children of IPS first.
I have a lot of concerns with what his happening with IPS, and in regards to IPS.
The Mind Trust Report came out a few weeks ago. I wasn't shocked by their findings, however I was taken with a few of their suggestions. Here is the link of the entire report if anyone wants to look at it.....
http://www.themindtrust.org/OpportunitySchools/MindTrust-Dec15.pdf
Here's some key points: Shifting Funds, Granting Autonomy, Universal Preschool, and Mayor Control of School Board.
I am in favor of most if the ideas, not entirely convinced of how to achieve them all. I am NOT in favor of Mayor Control of the school board. I am not saying it can't work, but I am hoping that changes can be made on the school board so takeover isn't a necessity. I believe in the people's right to vote and choose their elected officials. I think resources could be spent on informing the public of the importance of voting for your school board representative, and letting them know who those representatives are. The concerns that led to the plan of board takeover are not without merit. I have seen, first hand, the dysfunction of the board. It is very real and very scary. Without making compromises and being open minded I have no doubt the school board will be taken over. And what a shame that voters could lose that right forever, because of a few board members. I think we could be a part of these changes if we are so willing. Otherwise someone else will be placed in our chairs, and then we will have no vote at all.
When David Harris sat down and briefed us on the report, he told me that he didn't believe the people were the problem, that the system was broken. I respectfully disagreed and told him I thought he was wrong. In my opinion the system that is there, can and should work. The people are broken. Here's to what 2012 may bring.
As I write this I know I will piss a few people off. I make no apologies for that. As time goes on I am realizing something. I am not alone. Not just here, in Indianapolis, but all over the country. There are board members who believe as I do, and struggle the same. And we are beginning to network, and discuss, and question, and support. Change is happening.
I have a lot of concerns with what his happening with IPS, and in regards to IPS.
The Mind Trust Report came out a few weeks ago. I wasn't shocked by their findings, however I was taken with a few of their suggestions. Here is the link of the entire report if anyone wants to look at it.....
http://www.themindtrust.org/OpportunitySchools/MindTrust-Dec15.pdf
Here's some key points: Shifting Funds, Granting Autonomy, Universal Preschool, and Mayor Control of School Board.
I am in favor of most if the ideas, not entirely convinced of how to achieve them all. I am NOT in favor of Mayor Control of the school board. I am not saying it can't work, but I am hoping that changes can be made on the school board so takeover isn't a necessity. I believe in the people's right to vote and choose their elected officials. I think resources could be spent on informing the public of the importance of voting for your school board representative, and letting them know who those representatives are. The concerns that led to the plan of board takeover are not without merit. I have seen, first hand, the dysfunction of the board. It is very real and very scary. Without making compromises and being open minded I have no doubt the school board will be taken over. And what a shame that voters could lose that right forever, because of a few board members. I think we could be a part of these changes if we are so willing. Otherwise someone else will be placed in our chairs, and then we will have no vote at all.
When David Harris sat down and briefed us on the report, he told me that he didn't believe the people were the problem, that the system was broken. I respectfully disagreed and told him I thought he was wrong. In my opinion the system that is there, can and should work. The people are broken. Here's to what 2012 may bring.
As I write this I know I will piss a few people off. I make no apologies for that. As time goes on I am realizing something. I am not alone. Not just here, in Indianapolis, but all over the country. There are board members who believe as I do, and struggle the same. And we are beginning to network, and discuss, and question, and support. Change is happening.
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