INDIANAPOLIS — On June 28, the Indianapolis Public Schools announced their recommendations for high school closures. The administration recommends that Arlington, Broad Ripple and Northwest high schools no longer be operational high schools. They are also recommending that John Marshall will become a middle school in 2017-2018. The administration also stated that once Howe and Manual high schools are returned to the district from their turnaround partners, that those buildings will be closed.
The IPS administration recommended that Arlingon high school be transformed into a 500 pupil middle school, moving staff from Forest Manor to Arlington, and using the school’s athletic facilities for IPS and non IPS school functions. They also recommend exploring opportunities for the school to be used for evening high school students. Northwest would also be converted to a middle school, and the Newcomer Program’s students be transfered to the school, and moving operations functions from the 16th and Monon location to the school. Broad Ripple high school would be sold, with a potential sale price of $6-$8 million.
When staff is moved from Forest Manor, the IPS administration will look to sell the property.
The administration recommended that IPS operate Arsenal Technical, Crispus Attucks, George Washington and Shortridge High Schools under an all-choice model in the 2018-2019 school year. These high schools will allow the district’s utilization rate in secondary buildings to increase from 34 percent in the 2017-18 school year to 69 percent in 2018-19, while saving $7 million annually in high school costs to reinvest into the classroom. This figure includes $4.35 million in classroom resources and $3 million in utility and operations costs. Further, the all-choice model will allow any student to attend any high school and any academic program that best fits the student’s interests and needs.
No final decisions have been made or implemented.