A new group created by Indiana lawmakers will guide the future of Indianapolis Public Schools and local public charter schools — including as it relates to future school building consolidation and revenue-sharing — but members of the general public may not be included in its meetings.
Lawmakers in a late-night move last week shortly before the legislature adjourned for the year exempted the new Indianapolis Local Education Alliance from Indiana’s Open Door Law, which ordinarily gives the public the right to attend meetings of governing bodies of public agencies.
The move to restrict the public’s right to attend future meetings of the local education group was done without public testimony.
The change was requested by the city’s highest-ranking public official, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, said Rep. Bob Behning.
“The mayor did ask for some additional language regarding the Open Door Law,” Behning, R-Indianapolis, told the House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee late Thursday evening. “We went ahead and clarified at the request of the mayor that it would be not subject … so they could have an open public meeting if they choose to, but they don’t have to.”
The final version of House Bill 1515, where the language was included, was approved by the House by a 62-30 vote and by the Senate by a 28-22 vote. It’s awaiting Gov. Mike Braun’s signature.
The group’s work could have big consequences for the future of how Indianapolis Public Schools and local charter schools are run.
It will conduct school facility assessments for all traditional and charter school facilities within the geographic boundaries of IPS.
It will make recommendations regarding school facility “structural changes,” as well as come up with a process to approve or deny future capital referendum requests. The group will also come up with a template for revenue-sharing agreements between IPS and charter schools.
The group’s membership is spelled out in the legislation. It will consist of nine members, several of whom will be appointed by the mayor. It will also include IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson and Hogsett himself, or his designee. There will be two parent representatives.
It must complete its work by Dec. 31. During that time, there will be a pause on charter schools opening within the IPS district boundaries, except for those approved by the Indianapolis Charter School Board, which is run mostly by mayoral appointees.
State Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon, said the purpose of the group is to “figure out how (schools) can combine resources and work together further.”
‘Allergic to the public’
The legislation states that although the alliance isn’t subject to the public access law, one meeting must be open to the public: the final meeting at which the members vote on the adoption of the facilities and transportation plan.
Critics said that’s too late for meaningful public testimony.
Jesse Brown, a Democrat on the Indianapolis City-County Council and frequent critic of Hogsett’s, posted on social media that public officials will “deliberate behind the scenes” instead of in front of constituents. He said Hogsett’s administration was “allergic to the public.”
And IPS’ teachers’ union, the Indianapolis Education Association, posted on social media: “Who are you hiding from?”
However, Hogsett spokeswoman Emily Kaufmann said in a statement that the city and IPS are “aligned on and committed to creating an efficient, transparent structure to carry out the critical work” of the alliance.
“As the alliance conducts this work, there will be opportunities for community input and public meetings,” Kaufmann said.
Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com. Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, by IndyStar political and government reporters.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Group to guide future of IPS, charters will meet behind closed doors