The Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners convened for its Board Action Session on Thursday, March 19. Topics included updates on several Innovation School partner agreements and a COVID-19 Response Resolution.

What follows is a deeper look at those agenda items.

Innovation Partner Agreements

Chief Portfolio Officer Jamie VanDeWalle presented four Innovation School partner agreements for Board approval.

What Audiences Need to Know:

  • The Board approved the following Innovation School partner agreements for the 2020-21 school year:
  • Adelante Schools as a new partner at Emma Donnan K-8

Approved 6-1

  • Phalen Leadership Academy as a restart partner at Louis B. Russell Jr. School 48

Approved 4-3

  • The PATH School as a restart partner at Stephen Foster School 67

Approved 4-3

  • Arlington Woods School 99 as an Innovation Jumpstart School

Approved 6-1

Key Messages

The PATH School and Phalen Leadership Academy

  • The PATH School at Stephen Foster School 67 and Phalen Leadership Academy at Louis B. Russell School 48 include the following agreement terms:
  • Current boundaries will stay in place and no students will be displaced.

(This includes PreK and Special Education Programs)

  • IPS continues to provide long-term facilities maintenance and other capital improvements, as well as transportation services.
  • Partners receive direct pass-through of IPS Average Per Pupil funding from the state.
  • Building and boundaries are included as part of the IPS Facilities Optimization Student and Portfolio Planning Process.
  • Agreement length is five years.

Adelante Schools

  • Emma Donnan Elementary and Middle School includes the following agreement terms:
  • Same terms as above.

Arlington Woods School 99

  • Arlington Woods School 99 includes the following agreement terms:
  • Same terms as above.

Learn more here: Innovation Partner Agreements – Boarddocs

COVID-19 Response Resolution

The Board approved a resolution authorizing the superintendent to make adjustments to pay, benefits and leave policies related to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

What Audiences Should Know:

  • IPS employees have had their regular work hours reduced or disrupted due to the response to the public health crisis by IPS and government agencies.
  • The Board wishes to minimize the impact of exposure, contraction or school/government responses to the public health crisis on its employees’ earnings and benefits.

Key Messages:

  • The Board would authorize the superintendent to make or negotiate changes to pay, benefits and leave policies to assist employees who suffer financial hardship as a result of circumstances directly related to the COVID-19 public health crisis.
  • Employees would be permitted to telework, ensuring employees have no loss of compensation or benefits.
  • Essential employees who are required to report to work would be incentivized.

Approved 7-0

Learn more here: COVID-19 Response ResolutionBoarddocs