IPS to cut $20 million, plan school closures before 2027

Indianapolis Public Schools officials plan to announce specific school closures by the end of 2026, according to a statement from Superintendent Aleesia Johnson. The district will present a recommendation to the school board before the first round of enrollment closes on Dec. 18. No specific buildings have been identified for consolidation yet.

The IPS board voted on Nov. 10 to allow administrators to begin planning consolidation for the 2027-28 school year. The move addresses a $20 million budget gap created by state changes in property tax calculations. District leaders already cut $24 million from the current year’s budget. They also gained authority to renegotiate service contracts with partner charter schools that currently receive transportation and maintenance support at little or no cost.

School board president Hope Duke Star told reporters the district must find a balanced solution. She said, “We cannot ask one group of students and families to carry the burden for everyone else.” Commissioner Ashley Thomas urged the board to communicate clearly with families. She cited previous budget cuts that required elementary teachers to split time between schools, a decision that frustrated parents who felt they received information too late.

Parents are currently enrolling children in a new district-specific system. IPS abandoned the shared Enroll Indy platform this year to create its own process. The first enrollment round opened Nov. 5 and ends Dec. 18. District officials recommend families apply during this first round to secure their top choice. Students are automatically placed in their current schools unless they are graduating to a new level, such as moving from middle to high school.

IPS parent Courtney Hawk spoke during the Nov. 10 public comment period. She noted that families are selecting schools without knowing if those institutions will remain open. “Every day the board waits is another day of uncertainty for all of our students at every kind of school,” Hawk said. The district stated that later enrollment rounds offer fewer chances of matching with popular schools.

The board meets twice next week at its downtown administration building at 120 E. Walnut St. An agenda review session is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Nov. 17. An action session follows at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19, where members can vote on agenda items. Additional December meetings include a work session on Dec. 8, a review session on Dec. 15, and an action session on Dec. 17. Public can sign up for in-person comment on the IPS website or submit written remarks online.