Ferebee Aiming For Higher Expectations

Indianapolis Public Schools Board President Diane Arnold says the district has a history of losing focus on main, big picture issues.

"I think there is a lot of micromanagement on behalf of the board," she said.  "I think the board has been involved with very small picture kind of things and a lot of personal agendas."

"Those are all things that detract us from moving in the direction that we need to move in.  So, I think we need to put that to rest."

Arnold said there has never been a greater time to redifine the district and believes new Superintendent Dr. Lewis Ferebee brings a new perspective and vision to make the move.

"I think he's demonstrated from his previous work experience that he's got the ability to do that.  He's turned around schools.  He understands.  I think he is young and ambitious.  He's very bright," said Arnold.  "We just need to figure out how to get on the same page."

Ferebee says he comes in with heightened expectations not only for the district, but himself, as well.

"I'm a firm believer in strategic planning.  I believe once you identify your strategic priorities all of our conversations, how we allocate our resources, should align with our strategic priorities," he said.  "We'll spend a lot of time hearing from our community to develop our strategic priorities and once they're developed, that's going to be our conversation and how we spend our time."

Dr. Ferebee led the Indianapolis Public School Board meeting for the first time, Tuesday.

It was the new Superintendent’s second day on the job and he thanked students, staff and the board for their welcome.

Ferebee will release his entry plan later this week outlining how he will spend his first 100 days.