A prestigious group of national and local education, business and community leaders will serve on Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lewis Ferebee’s Transition Team.
The general role of the team is introduced in the superintendent’s strategic entry plan to the district. Members will serve an important role in analyzing and providing feedback to Ferebee on improving the academic performance, operating efficiencies and communication practices for the district.
Those serving on the transition team include:
Dr. Kelvin Adams, superintendent, St. Louis Public Schools
Adams began his duties as superintendent of schools for the St. Louis Public School District in 2008. In his role as superintendent, Adams oversees a school district serving more than 25,000 students in grades Pre K–12. Adams is also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the St. Louis Public School District and a $300 million budget.
Amos Brown, director of strategic research and analyst, Radio One
A midday talk show on a music station is unconventional. But it’s what Indianapolis expects when they tune to Brown and “Afternoons with Amos” weekdays, 1 to 3 p.m.
This two-time NAB Marconi Award Finalist and member of Indiana’s Broadcasters Hall of Fame, discusses important issues that impact Indianapolis and its African-American community every week day. Brown helps listeners deal with bureaucratic red tape; resolve instances of racial insensitivity and advocates and challenges the community to be their best. He’s also a columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder.
Dr. Terry Grier, superintendent, Houston Independent School District
Grier became the Houston Independent School District’s superintendent of schools after a unanimous vote of approval by the district’s Board of Education in 2009. Since that time, the board has extended his contract through June 2016. Before coming to Houston, Grier served as the superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District for 18 months and superintendent of Guilford County Schools in Greensboro, N.C., for almost eight years.
Chris Horan, managing partner, Horan Communications
Horan has more than 15 years of experience in communications, political and policy advocacy and education. As the founder and managing partner of Horan Communications, he provides coaching and consulting services in strategic communications to government agencies, non-profit organizations and emerging businesses. Horan previously served as the first chief communications officer for the Boston Public Schools, designing and executing the launch of an award-winning communications strategy for the largest public school district in New England.
Linda Kirby, president and CEO, Leadership Indianapolis
Leadership Indianapolis was formed in 2013 when the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series and Lacy Leadership Association united to create a new community leadership organization. At Leadership Indianapolis, Kirby is focused on strategically, intentionally and continually building a pipeline of diverse community leaders by training, educating, developing, inspiring and engaging them to improve the Indianapolis community.
Patricia Rogan, executive associate dean, School of Education, IUPUI
Rogan is also a professor in special education. She has been a public school teacher and university faculty member for 35 years. Rogan focuses on excellence, equity and inclusion in urban education. She is a core member of the Central Indiana Education Alliance, a preschool through college initiative. In her current role she provides leadership in the preparation of high quality educators in higher education and student affairs.
The transition team will provide recommendations that will be considered as part of the superintendent’s overarching listening tour which will help guide the development of the district’s next strategic plan.
The efforts of the transition team are essential to the initial success of the new district administration. Through its findings and recommendations, the team will ultimately impact the process for determining short and long-term district goals. While the transition team will have a finite purpose and level of interaction with the IPS community, the efforts of previously and soon to be established advisory groups have an integral role in continuous district improvement.
The transition team began interfacing with the IPS community in December and will report findings and recommendations next March.
With more than 250 meetings held during his first 50 days in the district, IPS Superintendent Ferebee has listened and learned from more than 2,000 stakeholders.
