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March 2020 Board Highlights

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