A powerful Indianapolis institution, the Catholic Church, and a former Indianapolis icon who still carries clout here – former Mayor Steve Goldsmith – are allies and catalysts in a major assault on the public education system in Indianapolis.
It is an assault that will be a major issue in the coming New Year.
Under a plan submitted to the Mayor’s Charter School office last week, the Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis (ADI) would turn two of their inner-city parochial schools into public charter schools. The schools involved are the 88 percent Hispanic St. Anthony’s Catholic school in Haughville and the 96 percent African-American St. Andrews/St. Rita Catholic School in Forest Manor.
An entity, ADI Charter Schools, would operate them as secular schools, stripped of religious symbols, education and weekly Mass. ADI Charter School’s Founding Board not only includes the former mayor, but Monsignor Joseph Schaedel, the Vicar General and number two official of the Archdiocese and Jeffrey Stumpf, the Archdiocese’s Chief Financial Officer.
The new entity would contract for services and staff with the Mother Theodore Catholic Academy, an entity created in 2005 to provide accountability and oversight to six inner city Catholic Schools – Holy Angels, St. Philip Neri, Holy Cross, Central Catholic, St. Anthony and St. Andrews/St. Rita – schools the archdiocese spends millions to subsidize.
ADI’s application contains pages of statistics and educational psychobabble discussing the dire educational situation of Center Township’s students. Yet St. Anthony is located in Wayne Township and St. Andrews/St. Rita is on the border of Washington and Center Townships. Many of the students of the two schools don’t live in Center.
The application discusses increasing the enrollment and academic rigor and excellence of the two schools. But I’m wondering how these two schools can be made better academically when I look at their record right now.
Of the six money-losing, endangered inner city Catholic schools, St. Anthony and St. Andrews/St. Rita are among the lowest performing schools, based upon the Spring ISTEP results.
This plan to convert two religious schools to public schools, but be run by an offshoot of the archdiocese is controversial. The involvement of former Mayor Goldsmith makes it more controversial, especially given the rumors that Goldsmith is a constant, if undercover advisor of the Ballard Administration.
The fact that the schools involved are located in Black-majority neighborhoods makes this plan one that our African-American community must be fully involved and engaged in.
Although this plan involves two schools in our community, the Archdiocese has failed to engage our Black community in this debate. Oh, they consulted the parish churches involved, especially the parishioners of St. Andrews and the long time Black St. Rita parish, but they didn’t expand that outreach outside the Catholic family.
No press releases were sent to Black media. Worse, when they spoke to Black media, the archdiocese’s spokesperson was incoherently inarticulate in explaining the plan.
Interviewed on WTLC-AM1310’s “Afternoons with Amos,” Greg Otolski, the Archdiocese’s communications director, claimed the Archdiocese had consulted the community. Yet, major Black leaders in the Forest Manor community of St. Andrews/St. Rita hadn’t been told of the plan.
Ultimately the Indianapolis City-County Council must approve this plan, but Otolski couldn’t tell me if the three Councilors (Doris Minton McNeil, Christine Scales and William Oliver) where the schools are located had been briefed.
Otolski couldn’t even answer a simple question on who the African-American member(s) of ADI’s board were. I had to get the info from sources outside the Archdiocese. (For the record, Mr. Otolski, it’s Marc Guess).
This column has been strongly concerned that the geographic area served by Indianapolis Public Schools has more charter schools than any other city, county or school district area in Indiana. Any proposal that adds more charters in IPS’ area must be seriously examined. Especially one that could open the door for the Archdiocese to palm all their “troubled” schools into charter schools in the IPS’ area.
While the assumption is Steve Goldsmith’s involvement greases the skids, this plan must be seriously evaluated and debated. As of now, ADI and the Archdiocese, and even Goldsmith, must sell me and my community on the worth of this scheme!
What I’m hearing in the streets
I wish the qualities of the three Democratic candidates for prosecutor could be merged into one. On “Afternoons with Amos” last week, I interviewed Greg Bowes, Terry Curry and David Orentlicher on why they want the job.
All three blasted incumbent Carl Brizzi on his ethical lapses and business dealings with controversial Tim Durham. Each said they’d be tougher on white collar crimes, not just the usual crimes the prosecutor’s dealt with.
Curry stressed his years of courtroom experience, Orentlicher stressed his legislative experience and Bowes stressed his experience as a former prosecutor and administrative experience as County Assessor.
Orentlicher and Curry best understood the need for reforms in how the office handles child support, while Bowes admitted he needed to learn more about this critical issue.
Meanwhile architect Vop Osili, who’s running to be the first African-American Indiana Secretary of State, exhibited passion and enthusiasm for the office. In an exclusive radio interview, Osili told me he wants the Secretary of State’s office to be a place that doesn’t just register business, but helps provide them resources and opportunities to succeed.
Osili says he’s been pleased with the reception he’s received in Indiana’s small towns and rural areas as he’s gone to garner support from Democratic leaders.
While it’s great that the Lilly Endowment rose to the occasion and gave our parks $7.3 million to make needed repairs, I’ve got great concerns.
The cash will fully restore the Bethel Park swimming pool and bring Riverside Park’s Aquatic Center up to speed. While the cash will also be used to restore tennis facilities to assist National Junior Tennis League programs and put restroom facilities in 15 parks, other parks’ broken pools remain in limbo. Including the pool at Wes Montgomery Park on the eastside.
Asked why Wes Montgomery’s pool wasn’t included in the request, Indy Parks spokeswoman Paula Freund sounded ominous in an e-mail.
“Regarding Wes Montgomery,” said Freund, “We are currently in the phase of looking at how this park and facility is used and what amenities will best fit the community’s needs.”
That’s government speak for don’t hold your breath.
Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and see ‘ya next week!
