IPS Superintendent Focusing On District's Future, Progress

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- After Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lewis Ferebee recently withdrew as a finalist to possibly lead the second-largest school district in the U.S. (Los Angeles School District), he's speaking out about the decision and focusing on IPS future and progress. According to a published statement from IPS and Ferebee, the superintendent calls being selected as a finalist out west "an honor" for him and our district, adding that the opportunity is an "immutable example of Indianapolis Public Schools’ emergence as a bellwether for innovative transformation in urban, public K-12 education."

After stating he decided to rescind his candidacy to "continue ensuring we are prepared to launch our exciting new model for post-secondary success," Ferebee said he will continue working to garner support for desperately needed local and state revenue increases to close funding gaps and to preserve our progress with more competitive compensation."

Ferebee said while these are priorities for him, all wins accomplished will be thanks to supporters and partners as well.

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"In Indianapolis, we have proven time and time again that when we come together on critical objectives, we get things done," Ferebee said. "I am fortunate to serve a community and Board of School Commissioners that haven’t flinched. Together, we have faced immense challenges and made bold and courageous decisions to better serve our students and families."

Ferebee highlighted the following as examples to celebrate among the many more to come:

• Together, we have solved food insecurity, guaranteeing our students a healthy breakfast, lunch, fresh fruit or vegetable snack and select evening meals, along with satellite feeding sites when school is out.

• With our laser-like focus on the district’s Mission 3E, ensuring every student graduates on time prepared to be either enlisted, enrolled or employed at a livable wage, graduation rates have surged to record highs annually.

• For each of the past four years, we have graduated a new group of scholars who are better prepared for their future. Additionally, our high school students will no longer attend school by their address but by their college or career interests.

• We’ve expanded and replicated high-performing programs such as the Butler University Reggio Lab program, which will have a new, second site for the 2018-19 school year.

• Teacher leadership is expanding with a new cohort of Opportunity Culture schools and new roles for educators to expand their reach with additional compensation.

• Next year, we will finally offer either dedicated K-8 or middle schools for 7th- and 8th-graders (eliminating combined middle/high schools). This has been a long time coming.

• Finally, chronically low-performing schools will no longer exist in perpetuity in IPS.

Read the rest of the statement at myips.org.

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