IPS Seeks Community Input On Remaking Arlington High School

Three years after the state took over troubled Arlington Community High School, in the face of chronic academic failures, the charter school company hired to operate it is getting out of the arrangement.

This summer it will reopen as an IPS school but still face oversight from the State Board of Education. 

Wednesday during a public meeting at the Northeastside school, Superintendent Lewis Ferebee assured more than 70 parents and community members that he wants their help in shaping Arlington’s future.

“Before any plans are developed or discussed we want to ensure that we hear from our stakeholders," Ferebee said. "Your voice will drive every component of this instructional program, the overall vision and direction of the school.”

Ferebee has five areas he wants the community to comment on, including: finding a new principal; choosing a curriculum for the school; and seeking additional uses for the sprawling building.

IPS will soon conduct a survey about the transition. 

But some parents who spoke at the forum raised concern that their children could face setbacks by moving away from the curriculum and rules set by Tindley Accelerated Schools -- that's the charter company contracted to run Arlington since 2012.

Ericka Moore said her freshman son has made dramatic academic and behavior improvements under Tindley.

“What I am worried about with this transition from IPS is, I understand they have a totally different curriculum than here," she said. "And that is what I loved about this school for him. It helped him to grow and mature.”

Others spoke against combining John Marshall High School with Arlington. That is one of the ideas Ferebee has previously mentioned to the State Board of Education. Wednesday night Ferebee said all options for Arlington were on the table. 

It is uncelear what options Arlington teachers and staff would have in June when IPS takes over the building. 

"Get it right"

Arlington is the first school in Indiana to have its status under the controversial state takeover program changed.

In 2012 the State Board of Education voted for the state to takeover Arlington and four other public schools because of chronic failures. Each school had earned six consecutive Fs in the state’s annual school assessment.

After Tindly took control of Arlington enrollment plummeted by nearly 60 percent compared to the year before. Today less than 400 students attend the 380,000-square-foot school.

Since school funding is based mostly on enrollment, the decline stressed Tindley’s finances. Last July Tindley's Chancellor and CEO Marcus Robinson said he wanted out of the contract if more funding was not available. The company had signed a five-year contract with the state board to run Arlington.

Since then, the State Board of Education suggested changes to state intervention of public schools. It remains to be see if Gov. Mike Pence and the General Assembly agree.

But the board did allow IPS to reclaim Arlington instead of choosing another operator. Threre other IPS schools remain under intervention and operation by outside companies: Emma Donnan Middle School and Manual and Howe high schools

"This is an opportunity to ensure that we get it right," Ferebee said Wednesday about reclaiming the school. "This is an opportunity to ensure that we get better."

A timeline has yet to be set for when the IPS School Board will consider how to remake Arlington. Information about the transition is available on the IPS website.

Contact WFYI reporter Eric Weddle at eweddle@wfyi.org or call (317) 614-0470. Follow on Twitter: @ericweddle.