Want to help shape how IPS and charter schools work together? Parents can apply now

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett will chair a new board called the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance, or ILEA, which aims to improve how the city’s public and charter schools share facilities, transportation and other resources. 

The alliance was created through a new state law requiring Indianapolis Public Schools to collaborate with the mayor’s office and other stakeholders on a long-term plan for managing school buildings and transportation services.

The board’s work is intended to benefit students across all public schools within IPS boundaries — both traditional and charter.

Superintendent Aleesia Johnson is appointing two parents to the board: one whose child attends a traditional IPS school and one whose child attends a charter school that partners with the distirct, also known as an Innovation Network school.

IPS Board President Angelia Moore will appoint one additional member who is not currently on the board. Hogsett will appoint four members, including at least one representative from the business community.

Applicants must live within the IPS district boundaries, and the online application form closes at midnight on May 11.

The board will develop a facilities and transportation implementation plan by the end of this year. That includes assessing all school buildings — charter and district-run — and making recommendations on shared use of facilities, management of transportation-related debt and improving long-term sustainability. The board’s recommendations will be submitted to the Indiana Department of Education, IPS and the mayor’s office.

The alliance will operate independently from the IPS administration and is expected to dissolve by March 2026.

WFYI education reporter Sydney Dauphinais covers Marion County schools. Contact her at sdauphinais@wfyi.org.