The IPS school board race could be compared to a lively game of musical chairs, with 10 candidates and just three open seats.
Local parents and community leaders have made it clear that the stakes are high, expressing outrage and concern at one recent IPS School Board public debate where the candidates diverged over out-of-state funding, HEA 1321 and charter schools.
Since 2010, the school board has welcomed seven board members to help serve more than 30,000 students within IPS as a whole. The current race is composed of 10 candidates competing for three open seats in Districts 3, 5 and at-large.
Seven contenders are challenging three incumbents seeking re-election, Annie Roof, Michael Brown and Samantha Adair-White.
Many campaigns such as Stand for Children have helped candidates raise five-figure campaign war chests, which have caused tension between the candidates, and left some in the community questioning if election funding is more of a priority than a commitment to public service.
The big money poured into the race stands in sharp contrast to the economic status of many children in the district, where some 84 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, more than 60 percent are African-American and over 70 percent of educators are white.
With this diverse group of candidates, ranging from previous government officials, pastors, educators and former and current board members, the race will be one to watch come Election Day, Nov. 4.
Here’s a look at the candidates, presented in alphabetical order by district, and issues heating up this race:
At-Large
Ramon Batts
Role: Senior pastor and founder of Change & Restoration Community Baptist Church
Big contributors: American Veteran Service Corporation, Baptist Ministries Forsight Alliance
Perspective
Diversity Issues: “We have a lot of Hispanic students who are looking for someone who looks like them. We had a great Hispanic leader out at Washington who’s now gone. I don’t know why we let him go.”
Charter school partnership: “I think there are some opportunities for relationships, but sending our best students to be experiments with a charter is ridiculous. Charter schools are in competition with IPS, therefore we should not allow them into our buildings or our programs.”
He says: “I am a proud graduate of Arsenal Technical High School. I’ve mentored, coached and taught. I come from where they come from and have done what they’ve done. I understand them and their parents being a parent myself.”
David Hampton
Role: Senior pastor of Light of the World Christian Church
Big contributors: Christel DeHaan, Joseph Slash
Perspective
State voucher program: “I support vouchers because I believe parents benefit from the ability to choose the best school for their children. Vouchers provide the financial assistance to parents who, otherwise, may not be able to send their children to the school of their choice.”
School government: “I believe principals should be given the freedom to choose and hire the talent needed to compliment the school in which they lead.”
He says: “I’m not running as a pastor but as a caring citizen and parent. My priority is children and I like conversation around education and reform.”
Josh Owens
Role: Economics instructor at Butler University; previously worked for technology companies and worked on the economic education and health policy for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Big contributors: Friends and family
Perspective
Pay raises for teachers: “At a minimum, we must get our teachers and staff back to annual cost of living raises. In reviewing (IPS’) 2015 budget, we must ask in every instance ‘does this improve classroom instruction?’”
Improving failing schools: “High performing schools have a common set of characteristics: strong leadership from the principal, low turnover of teachers and staff, and above-average time spent in the classroom by students. The most important thing we can do is borrow from program and leadership successes at other IPS schools.”
He says: “I wanted to get involved based off of two statistics, one is 1-in-3 IPS students don’t graduate and the second is we start with about 3,400 first graders but by 12th grade we only have about 1,200 12th graders.
Annie Roof
Role: IPS Board president
Big contributors: The Weekly View, The Pfahler Group
Perspective
Teacher evaluations: “Evaluating a teacher based on student scores is very tricky in a system like IPS where we have a huge percentage of transiency. Many times a teacher starts the school year with one group of students, and ends the school year with only a few of those original students.”
Improving schools: “I do not feel that the takeover system has yet proven itself to be an effective way of addressing failing schools. Some of the takeover schools have failed themselves, or seen very little progress.”
She says: “My main reason for running and still wanting to stay on the board is that I have kids in the district and its very important to have a parent voice and that the parents decide everyday to choose IPS.”
Mary Ann Sullivan
Role: Previous Democratic member of the Indiana House of Representatives
Big contributors: Indianapolis Chamber Business Advocacy Committee, Democrats Education Reform, Stand for Children.
Perspective
Pairing with charter schools: “I testified in support of HB1321 during the last legislative session. Any relationship between the district and a charter operator would be entered into first and foremost to benefit students. It would be a true partnership, with clear roles, responsibilities, expectations, transparency and accountability on all sides..”
State voucher program: “Although I voted against establishing the state’s voucher program as a state legislator, I would not work to end it as an IPS board member.”
She says: “I believe IPS could be one of the best school districts in this country. I make that bold statement as a former IPS parent and employee.”
District 3
Samantha Adair-White
Role: Current IPS School Board member
Big contributors: Family and friends
Perspective
Diversity issues: “We are trying to do the best we can with what we have. We’re trying to make sure we put the best people in these positions. That’s something we’re going to look at, but we want the best person for the job. I don’t care what color they are.”
Improving schools: “My vision is to make sure we get the best resources to help with the needs of our students and improve the low-performing schools.”
Says: “I am the only one out of seven board members that didn’t ask for Stand For Children’s money and I didn’t fill out their survey because I don’t believe in what they do.”
Kelly Bentley
Role: Previously served on IPS School Board for 12 years.
Big contributors: Stand for Children, Sheryl Sandberg (CEO of Facebook)
Perspective
State voucher program: “We live in a city where parents and students have many options. We have to make sure IPS is at the top of their list because our schools are worth choosing. Vouchers aren’t going anywhere, and we cannot pretend that they do not exist as an option for parents.”
Teacher pay raises: “Bottom line: We have to do more to retain our best teachers. Right now, they can make more money in surrounding townships, and that’s unacceptable.”
She says: “I think it’s a good thing when we have very successful people who can put their money where their mouth is and it’s not problematic.”
James Turner
Role: Dean and athletic director at Fall Creek Academy
Big contributors: Friends and family
Perspective
Improving schools: “First, we must address the poverty issue. Next, test prep classes need to be built into school schedules as a required class. Mandatory after-school tutoring for students that demonstrate GPAs lower than 2.0.”
Diversity issues: “There needs to be some Hispanic representation or administration. We’ve just got to be real. I was at a school district that had mainly Black students but we had a lot of white administrators. They really couldn’t relate.”
He says: “I don’t have a problem with the way the campaign has run but I do have a problem with candidates who say they don’t know what those representing them are putting out. I also question the people giving the money and their motives. I want to have a say in my kids’ education and I don’t want decisions coming from Chicago or Denver.”
District 5
Michael Brown
Role: Longest serving IPS School Board member and has served as board president three times.
Big contributors: Family and friends
Perspective
State voucher program: “I would like to see vouchers used for low income parents for early education, I do not believe the current system is reaching the right families.”
Improving schools: “Those schools need more resources to become successful. The state allocated more resources by using out side and sometimes out-of-state partners. We need to look at like schools that are performing well with the same socio – economic status and family structure, and replicate what they are doing differently.”
Says: “I believe grassroots is where it’s at and I believe where your heart lies is the treasure.”
LaNier Echols
Role: Dean at Carpe Diem Meridian; previously taught at three IPS schools through Teach for America
Big supporters: Stand for Children, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Democratic Party, Sheryl Sandberg (CEO of Facebook)
Perspective
IPS central office: “IPS is in need of significant change. While there are examples of success, many students do not have access to a quality education that ensures they are ready for success after graduation. Too often, the central office bureaucracy gets in the way of good teaching and learning at the school level. As a former IPS teacher, I saw that disconnect firsthand.”
State voucher program: “I am in support of the school voucher program because I believe parents should have a choice in where their child goes to school. We must accept that school choice is a reality for parents and students, and we must work as a district to ensure families are proudly choosing IPS.”
She says: “As a former IPS teacher, I know IPS employs many talented, hardworking teachers who go above and beyond for their students. I would like to see IPS to not only recognize and reward talented teachers, but further empower them to develop innovative solutions to the problems of educational inequity. Pay raises should be part of that.”
