In mid-August, Steve Loser, Director of K-12 Initiatives for HSE Schools, presented a proposal from a nonprofit organization, to create an Innovation Network School, a form of charter school under Indiana law. The board entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue the idea with Opportunity Education.
James Troupis of Opportunity Education attended a recent HSE School Board meeting to explain the proposal establishing the charter, a school offering grades 9-12, with a student body that would eventually number 500-600. The school would offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) but it was unclear what would be offered and the timeline on when those classes would be offered.
Loser told the board it takes time to create CTE classes and the Opportunity Education proposal would have been the quickest way for HSE Schools to offer such classes. About 7% of HSE students are currently in CTE classes, most offered at the J. Everett Light Center, located at North Central High School in Indianapolis.
Obviously, HSE students do not get first dibs on these classes, Washington Township will place their students first. The Pursuit Institute, an endeavor created by Hamilton County School Districts for CTE education, has not worked out as originally hoped.
There are still a large number of HSE grads that go on the college, but that number has been going down in recent years. Providing education and experience to high school students in now more important than ever.
However, there were a number of questions raised about the proposed charter. Opportunity Education has had no experience creating such a school and admitted as much in answering questions from the board. A public hearing on the proposal drew 20 speaking segments, with no one supporting the Opportunity Education proposal.
Just days ago, HSE Superintendent Patrick Mapes sent a message to staff and families of HSE Schools, announcing that he has been advised that Opportunity Education (OE) had withdrawn its proposed charter school application. Mapes quotes the withdrawal letter from OE, saying “this may not be an optimal time for the community to undertake such an innovation effort.”
Why did OE withdraw its proposed charter school? The letter that Mapes quotes is complimentary to the school board and school officials for considering the idea. But there may be another reason.
More than one source has told me there would not likely be 4 votes on the 7-member school board to approve the OE proposal. There are many reasons, but one is that HSE’s superintendent would have one seat on the board overseeing the charter, but the other board seats would be appointed by the holder of the charter, in this case OE.
The Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, representing teachers in the HSE district, opposed the charter and said so before and after the decision to withdraw by OE.
It has been rare that a high-performing suburban school district such as HSE has supported a charter school. Yet, according to Loser, the way schools are funded in Indiana, the OE proposal would have the best chance of creating CTE opportunities for HSE students. Now, the HSE district will need to look at another pathway to offer these opportunities to students.
I must compliment Steve Loser. He laid out the Innovation Network Charter School idea very clearly for the board and the public. I am looking forward to what Mr. Loser will be doing as a central office administrator moving forward.
It was clear teachers and many local residents had concerns about the charter school proposal. This idea is gone, at least for now.