On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, a significant meeting regarding the future of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) will take place at the City-County Building.
Meeting Details
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN
Organizer: The meeting is held by the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), a task force exploring governance changes for the district.
Key Agenda Item: The Final Vote
The primary purpose of this meeting is for the alliance to vote on final recommendations regarding the governance and operation of IPS. These recommendations will be sent to state lawmakers for consideration during the 2026 legislative session.
WHAT’S INSIDE
1. Opening Context: Crisis in Indianapolis Public Schools
Introduction of Tyler Sullivan-Peters and his role as an IPS parent and organizer
Overview of the crisis facing Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS)
Framing of the issue as a Democratic-led privatization push
Early identification of charter schools as a takeover mechanism
Mention of the upcoming decisive ILEA meeting
ILEA Recording Transcript
2. What Is the ILEA and Why It Exists
Explanation of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA)
ILEA created via state legislation (2025 session)
Ostensible mission: facilities and transportation coordination
Actual function: recommendations to the Republican supermajority legislature
Emphasis that ILEA is new, unelected, and advisory-only in name
ILEA Recording Transcript
3. The “Patchwork” School System in Indianapolis
Description of IPS as a mix of:
Traditional public schools
Charter schools
Voucher-funded private and religious schools
Eight charter authorizers statewide, with heavy concentration in Indianapolis
Funding fragmentation as more schools open
Consequences:
Reduced resources
Transportation shortages
Loss of electives and extracurriculars
ILEA Recording Transcript
4. Argument That ILEA Is Unnecessary
IPS already has a democratically elected school board
Existing governance structures already capable of reform
ILEA adds bureaucracy rather than solving problems
Characterization of ILEA as an imposed body, not a community-driven one
ILEA Recording Transcript
5. Who Is on the ILEA Board
Mayor Joe Hogsett
Former Mayor Bart Peterson:
Key architect of Indianapolis charter expansion
Deep ties to the Mind Trust
City-County Councilor Maggie Lewis:
Mind Trust board member
Angela Smith-Jones
Cathedral High School board member
Andrew Neal (spouse of Mind Trust executive)
Tobin McClamroch (Marian University, charter authorizer)
Barato Britt
Board Member of KIPP charter network founded by Reid Litwack
Litwach recently published “Let IPS Die” op-ed
The Mind Trust:
Pro-charter NGO
Developer of Enroll Indy school assignment system
Board composition: 7 pro-charter members, 2 public-school advocates
ILEA Recording Transcript
6. Voucher Schools and Their Historical Roots
Indiana’s universal voucher system explained
Discussion of voucher origins as backlash to Brown v. Board of Education
Historical use of vouchers to avoid school integration
Argument that modern vouchers perpetuate racial and economic segregation
Public funds flowing to private and religious schools
ILEA Recording Transcript
7. White Flight, Property Taxes, and Structural Inequality
Public education funding tied to property taxes
Suburban wealth vs. urban disinvestment
White flight from Indianapolis to suburbs (Carmel, Zionsville, Greenwood)
Resulting disparities in facilities and resources
IPS losing both students and tax base
ILEA Recording Transcript
8. Governance Models Proposed by ILEA
Four governance models initially proposed
Each model progressively less democratic
Worst model:
Mayor appoints school governance
IPS board effectively sidelined
Characterization of mayoral control as “king-like”
Community pressure forced public release of governance charts
ILEA Recording Transcript
9. Public Input and Process Manipulation
Meetings scheduled during work and school pickup hours
Teachers and parents effectively excluded
Despite strong turnout and opposition:
Four models reduced to two
Both remaining models are least democratic
Reinforcement of the idea that outcomes were predetermined
ILEA Recording Transcript
10. The People’s Proposal (Alternative Vision)
Coalition response led by:
DSA
IPS Parent Council
Indianapolis Education Association
Concerned Clergy
Core elements:
Democratic control via elected school board
Centralized transportation and facilities
Charter authorization under public oversight
Endorsed by State Senator Andrea Hunley
Framed as a realistic, transitional reform—not a scorched-earth plan
ILEA Recording Transcript
11. Market Logic vs. Public Goods
Critique of capitalism applied to education
“Manufactured crisis” narrative:
Defund public schools
Declare failure
Introduce market solutions
Argument that market systems benefit:
Wealthy
White
Well-resourced families
Analogy to healthcare: choice is meaningless without access
ILEA Recording Transcript
12. Special Education and Student Exclusion
Charter schools able to reject high-need students
Public schools required to serve:
Students with disabilities
IEPs
Behavioral and learning challenges
Result:
Public schools become safety net of last resort
Then blamed for underperformance
ILEA Recording Transcript
13. Transparency and the Open Door Law Issue
ILEA explicitly exempt from Indiana Open Door Laws
Not required to hold public meetings
“Listening sessions” seen as performative
Lack of transparency tied to privatization strategy
ILEA Recording Transcript
14. Outcomes: Charters vs. Public Schools
No clear evidence charters outperform IPS
Post-COVID recovery comparable or better in public schools
Emphasis on education as social development, not test metrics alone
Democratic accountability framed as essential to outcomes
ILEA Recording Transcript
15. Call to Action: December ILEA Meeting
Final ILEA vote scheduled
Date, time, and location provided
Instructions:
Wear red
Bring compliant signs
Sign up for 60-second public comment
DSA offering help crafting statements
ILEA Recording Transcript
16. Additional Ways to Get Involved
Email and pressure ILEA members
Submit online public comments
Join coalition organizations:
Central Indiana Democratic Socialists of America
Official website (Central IN DSA): https://www.centralindsa.org/
This group has been actively organizing around The People’s Proposal and education democracy in Indianapolis.
IPS Parent Council
A parent-run advocacy group working to empower families and support district-run public schools in Indianapolis.
Website: https://ips-parent-council.org/
Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis
A fellowship of pastors and community leaders advocating for justice, including educational equity.
Official website: https://www.concernedclergy.org/
Facebook page (additional presence): https://www.facebook.com/TheConcernedClergyofIndianapolis/
Indianapolis Education Association (IEA)
IEA is the exclusive representative of the certified educators of Indianapolis Public Schools.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Indianapolisea/
Indiana Coalition for Public Education (ICPE)
ICPE is a statewide, nonpartisan coalition advocating for fully funded, democratically governed public schools in Indiana.
Official website: https://www.icpeindiana.org/
Warning that the upcoming legislative session will move fast
17. Broader Statewide Implications
Similar attacks on rural and urban districts statewide
Reference to prior bills aimed at closing districts
Pattern of repeated attempts despite prior defeats
Emphasis that this fight extends beyond Indianapolis
FACT CHECK & CORRECTIONS
Creation of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA)
Claim: ILEA was created by the state in 2025 to address IPS governance, facilities, and transportation in SB1, Braun’s property tax bill.
Verdict: It wasn’t SB1, but a different act of the IGA
Context & sources:
ILEA was created by House Enrolled Act 1515 (2025).
The law formally establishes ILEA and outlines its advisory role.
City of Indianapolis overview:
https://www.indy.gov/activity/indianapolis-local-education-allianceHEA 1515 enrolled bill text:
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1515
ILEA’s Authority Is Advisory, Not Legislative
Claim: ILEA does not have direct legislative power but makes recommendations to the General Assembly.
Verdict: Confirmed
Context & sources:
HEA 1515 explicitly limits ILEA to issuing recommendations.
Final authority rests with the Republican-controlled Indiana General Assembly.
HEA 1515 text (see above)
Chalkbeat explanation:
https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025/06/26/indianapolis-local-education-alliance-meets-for-first-time
ILEA Is Exempt from Indiana Open Door Laws
Claim: ILEA is largely exempt from Indiana’s Open Door Law.
Verdict: Confirmed
Context & sources:
HEA 1515 exempts ILEA from Open Door requirements, except for its final vote.
This exemption was requested by Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration.
Board Composition Favors Charter and Privatization Interests
Claim: The ILEA board is dominated by pro-charter and privatization advocates.
Verdict: Confirmed
Context & sources:
Board includes:
Bart Peterson (former mayor, charter expansion advocate)
Maggie Lewis (City-County Councilor, Mind Trust board)
Tobin McClamroch (Marian University; charter authorizer)
Andrew Neal (spouse of Mind Trust executive)
Only two members clearly aligned with traditional public school advocacy.
Chalkbeat Who’s Who? https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025/08/14/indianapolis-local-education-alliance-member-bios/
Chalkbeat on ILEA Member Philosophies: https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025/11/26/what-indianapolis-local-education-alliance-members-think-about-governance/
Bart Peterson’s Role in Charter Expansion
Claim: Former Mayor Bart Peterson helped lead Indianapolis’ charter expansion.
Verdict: Confirmed
Context & sources:
Peterson backed charter growth during his mayoralty (1999–2007).
Frequently credited with laying groundwork for the current charter landscape.
The Mind Trust’s Role in Enroll Indy
Claim: Enroll Indy was developed with significant involvement from The Mind Trust.
Verdict: Confirmed
Context & sources:
Enroll Indy originated through The Mind Trust’s Education Entrepreneur Fellowship.
Mind Trust provided funding and early organizational support.
The Mind Trust history page: https://www.themindtrust.org/history/
Chalkbeat reporting:
https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2020/4/29/21242111/charter-school-board-requires-indianpaolis-schools-to-use-enroll-indy/
CORRECTION: Maggie Lewis is NOT on Cathedral High School’s board.
Angela Smith Jones is the ILEA member that sits on Cathedral’s board
She’s Associate Vice President for State Relations at Indiana University, where she serves as IU’s main liaison with:
The Indiana Legislature
The Governor’s office
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Before IU, she had a series of high-level public sector roles, including:
Deputy Mayor for Economic Development under Mayor Joe Hogsett — where she oversaw workforce, business attraction, minority/women business development, and international affairs for Indianapolis.
General Counsel & Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at the Indy Chamber, meaning she did legislative advocacy on behalf of the local business community.
Charter Authorizers in Indiana
Claim: Indiana has multiple charter authorizers, with heavy concentration in Indianapolis.
Verdict: Confirmed
Context & sources:
Indiana allows universities, nonprofits, and others to authorize charters.
Marian University is a charter authorizer.
Indiana Charter School Board: https://www.in.gov/icsb/families-and-students/charter-school-faqs/
IDOE Charter Authorizers List: https://www.in.gov/doe/grants/charter-school-program/authorizer-listing/
Four Governance Models Were Proposed by ILEA
Claim: ILEA proposed four governance models ranging from minimal change to mayor-controlled schools.
Verdict: Confirmed
Context & sources:
Models ranged from preserving the elected IPS board to replacing it with a mayor-appointed body.
ILEA Narrowed Options to the Least Democratic Models
Claim: ILEA eliminated the most democratic options despite public opposition.
Verdict: Confirmed
Context & sources:
Public comments overwhelmingly opposed mayor-control models.
ILEA still advanced the two least democratic proposals.
Voucher Programs Trace Back to Resistance to Desegregation
Claim: School vouchers originated as a response to Brown v. Board of Education.
Verdict: Historically accurate
Context & sources:
Vouchers were promoted in the South to avoid school integration.
Charter Schools Do Not Consistently Outperform Public Schools
Claim: Charters do not show consistently better outcomes than traditional public schools.
Verdict: Confirmed (with nuance)
Context & sources:
Research shows mixed or comparable results.
Maybe better stated as, “Research shows charter outcomes are mixed and often comparable to public schools.”
