INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners voted Thursday night to approve sharing district operating referendum funds with innovation charter schools.
In early November, the administration presented the proposal after families and school leaders voiced support for sharing the funds after the referendum was approved in 2018 for $220 million over eight years. At the time, the referendum did not specify whether innovation charter schools were included.
Thursday’s vote means IPS will share $5 million with 25 of its charter schools twice annually, in December and June, which is aligned with when IPS receives funds.
“The sharing of these funds is about what is fair, what is right and what is equitable,” said Sashah Fletcher, an IPS parent.
Fletcher is part of a group of parents who launched a series of recommendations in March to make schools more just and equitable. She said that should include school funding.
“As someone who cares about equity in our entire family of schools, am not just in it for my child, but for all IPS children,” Fletcher said.
Board members had mixed opinions before voting, ultimately voting yes.
“This is an investment in IPS students and once again a demonstration of IPS' commitment to listening, collaborating and partnering,” said Evan Hawkins, school board president. “I especially hope that you, our community, our partners, our constituents as well as our friends in the Indiana general assembly see this as well.”
In the approved proposal, it says innovation charter schools will be required to use at least 3% of the funding for teacher compensation and the remainder can be used to support students in other ways. Charter schools will also be required to share their spending data regarding the use of any funds to support compensation for teachers and school-based staff, as well as data of verified use of state charter school grant funding.
Despite the approval, there has been some pushback to sharing money from the referendum with charter schools.
State Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, said it's actually a legal issue.
"They're not obeying the law," he said. "They've gone around that. They have set the referendum proposal. They didn't tell the public they were going to give it to the charter school. They've had this money available for three years. They haven't given them any money and the reason is they can't, under the law. Some taxpayers could file a lawsuit saying you're spending money in an unauthorized fashion. Pretty simple. It sounds like there could be a pretty good basis for it.”
Delaney said the move could also end up hurting the chances of a future school funding referendum. This current referendum ends in 2026.
"Our step right now is to support and provide access to those resources for the entire family of IPS schools, including our innovation charter school partners," IPS Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson said before the vote.