Charter Leaders Demand IPS Transfer Building Ownership to Their Schools

Charter School Leaders Push for Building Ownership to Save District Millions

Charter school leaders in Indianapolis are advocating for the transfer or sale of school buildings currently occupied by their institutions, claiming that such a move could save the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) over $37.5 million annually. This proposal comes as part of broader discussions within the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), a state-mandated group tasked with addressing facility and transportation issues across the district.

The ILEA is working to develop recommendations on how schools should use facilities and manage transportation by the end of the year. During its second public meeting, the alliance heard from various stakeholders, including leaders of 20 of the 25 charter schools in the IPS Innovation Network, as well as one Innovation school that recently gained charter status.

These leaders submitted a letter urging the ILEA to consider transferring building ownership to charter operators. The idea is that this change would give schools greater control over their facilities, allowing them to make decisions about space, programming, and operations without relying on the district for certain services.

Eddie Rangel, CEO of Adelante Schools, emphasized the urgency of the situation. He noted that the city and ILEA must act quickly to ensure the long-term stability of schools. “We want to be good stewards of what needs to happen for the facility at Emma Donnan,” he said.

Innovation schools operate independently but contract with IPS for services such as custodial work and transportation. Some of these services are provided free of charge, while others come with a fee. Most of the district’s 30 Innovation schools are charters, which have historically received more support from the district compared to traditional public schools.

A law passed last year limited how much IPS could charge Innovation schools for services, creating tension between charter leaders and traditional school advocates. Recently, the IPS Parent Council called for full cost recovery from charter schools and the repeal of a $1 law that requires the district to sell vacant buildings to charters at that price. Instead, they urged the district to regain control over leasing or selling properties at market value.

Accountability Systems and Data-Driven Decisions

Beyond facility ownership, some members of the ILEA and public commenters emphasized the need for a universal accountability system. Virginia Ramos, a parent and former teacher, shared her concerns about how both traditional and charter schools failed her grandson. She argued that any evaluation of school performance should include more than just test scores. Factors like teacher retention, attendance, suspension rates, and the success of English language learners and students with disabilities should also be considered.

“This isn’t just about test scores. It’s about looking at all the data points to get a complete picture of how schools are doing,” she said.

Charter leaders cited specific clauses in some Innovation contracts that suggest the district may be open to selling or transferring buildings to operators in the future. They also pointed out that by the end of the year, the district will develop criteria for eligibility to own buildings. However, the letter did not specify whether charters would pay for the buildings or how much they might cost.

Rangel estimated that owning the buildings could save the district $37.5 million annually across all schools. For example, Adelante Schools could use the savings to expand its fine arts program by constructing a stage.

Another option discussed was using a three-year pilot program created under new state law. This program allows other districts to form an independent authority to manage school facilities. Superintendent Aleesia Johnson, who is also an ILEA member, said the district is exploring whether all signatories to the letter would be interested in purchasing their buildings or supporting an independent authority.

Parent Council Calls for Limits on New Charters

The IPS Parent Council has also raised concerns about the rapid expansion of charter schools. They have called for a moratorium on new charters through 2035 to allow time for assessing long-term needs and avoiding unnecessary closures that disrupt families and communities.

Anh Nguyen, a parent and member of the council, explained that the pause would help prevent disruptions caused by sudden school closures. The group also wants to ensure that all Innovation and charter schools meet certain standards, such as employing licensed staff, offering counseling services, and providing transportation and uniform assistance.

Additionally, the council is pushing for a five-year limit on Innovation contract renewals to ensure accountability and safeguards. They believe this would help maintain quality and consistency across schools.

Future Steps and Next Meeting

The next public meeting of the ILEA is scheduled for August 20 at the City-County Building. As the alliance continues its work, the debate over facility ownership, funding, and accountability remains central to shaping the future of education in Indianapolis.