A new bill proposes dissolving Indianapolis schools and converting them to charters, sparking controversy in the community.
The bill, introduced recently, aims to tackle a growing issue: how to divide state and property tax funds between public schools losing students and charter schools that are gaining them. It specifically targets districts where less than half of the students remain in district schools.
If this bill passes, it would close five districts, including the Gary Community School Corporation, by 2028. The schools would then be handed over to charter organizations overseen by new panels appointed by the governor and local officials. Experts say this move would be unprecedented, going beyond temporary state takeovers.
State Rep. Robert Behning, who chairs the education committee, mentioned that while he feels the bill might be too extreme, it’s pushing a necessary conversation about how to better support charter and voucher schools. He believes it could encourage districts to come up with better strategies for student success.
In Indianapolis, enrollment has dropped significantly, with less than 40% of students attending district-run schools. The funding differences between traditional districts and charter schools are also a big part of the discussion. A recent study showed that Indianapolis Public Schools spend about $18,500 per student, while charters spend around $10,600.
Bill author Jake Teshka pointed out that it’s unfair for parents who send their kids to charter schools to pay property taxes to a district they don’t use. Critics, including the Indianapolis school board and the Indiana State Teachers Association, argue that the bill threatens local control and doesn’t address deeper issues like poverty and underfunding.
Some in the charter community also think the bill is too harsh. They’d prefer a more balanced approach to providing resources to charter schools. The conversation is ongoing, with many local officials calling for better resource sharing between districts and charters.
Overall, this proposal has sparked a lot of discussions about the future of education in Indianapolis, and it’s clear that many people are invested in finding a solution that works for everyone involved.
