Where 4 new IPS board members stand on racial equity, school closures, budget cuts

The two incumbents and two newcomers to the board have nuanced views on the pressing challenges the district will face under their leadership.

A “Prep College Careers” sign on a window at Crispus Attucks High School, a public school in Indianapolis, Indiana. — April 2019 — Photo by Alan Petersime/Chalkbeat
During the election, Chalkbeat Indiana and WFYI asked candidates to respond to the biggest issues facing the district and how they would represent their constituents. (Alan Petersime for Chalkbeat)

After a vigorous campaign, four candidates backed by charter school friendly political action committees won seats on the Indianapolis Public Schools board: Kenneth Allen, Will Pritchard, Venita Moore, and Diane Arnold. 

The two incumbents and two newcomers to the board have nuanced views on the pressing challenges the district will face under their leadership, including how to live up to its commitment to racial equity, tackle looming budget cuts, and address the educational impact of the pandemic. 

During the election, Chalkbeat Indiana and WFYI asked candidates to respond to the biggest issues facing the district and how they would represent their constituents. Candidates showed support for the district’s recent Racial Equity Mindset, Commitment & Action policy and concern for keeping students academically on track during the pandemic. Below are answers from the four candidates who won seats.

The Latest

The immediate financial impact on districts' budgets, especially for rural schools the formula is designed to help, would likely be a mixed bag, superintendents say.

District leaders say the new cameras are meant to make schools safer and will not result in an invasion of privacy.

Districts enrolled a total of 8,085 newcomer students after the October count and through Feb. 29.

The announcement set off alarm bells for school integration advocates, who worry it could roll back progress diversifying several high-demand schools.

By the fall, the Cherry Creek district will offer preschool at every elementary school.

The Academy for Local Leadership launched its inaugural class in March ahead of Chicago’s shift to a partially-elected school board.