INDIANAPOLIS — A coalition of different Indy-based organizations, including the Central Indiana Democratic Socialists of America (CINDSA), Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Education Association and the Indianapolis Public Schools Parent Council, announced their support for “The People’s Proposal for a Voice and a Choice” at a press conference on Thursday.

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The ‘People’s Proposal’ encourages ILEA to prioritize voice and choice for IPS

“The voice part comes from retaining a fully elected democratic board, one that serves all of us. The choice part comes from preserving school choice, which IPS has done a phenomenal job of with their zones, and the Montessori schools and the IB schools,” Co-Chair of the Fully Funded, Fully Public Campaign, a standing committee of Central Indiana Democratic Socialists of America Adrea McCloud said.

“My heart is too big. I love my students just as much as I love my own children. Thinking about the possibility of disruptions of losing their school, losing their community. That terrifies me,” McCloud said.

“We’re deeply concerned about some of the options they’re putting forward that would cause seismic changes to public education to Indianapolis,” Hannah Marley with the Indianapolis Education Alliance added.

The plan is intended for the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA).

The city-led body is tasked with developing recommendations on school facilities, transportation, governance and efficiency.

“This is not just about today’s students. It’s about ensuring Indianapolis has a strong, stable, excellent public education system for decades to come,” Board of School Commissioners President Angelia Moore said at an IPS Community Conversation event last month.

But many parents WRTV spoke with Thursday say they’re frustrated with the ILEA, the process for feedback, and the several models presented thus far.

“I’m an IPS resident. I expect to vote for my own school board. Just as every single community in the state does,” MaryAnn Schlegel Ruegger said.

“Parents feel frustrated with the engagement opportunities, or lack thereof, with the ILEA. What I’m hearing and what I’m feeling is that we are permitted to listen to what they’re sharing with us, and then we get 60 seconds to rush through how we’re feeling about this,” Kristen Phair with the IPS Parent Council added.

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Nico Pennisi is the In Your Community reporter for Downtown Indy. He joined WRTV in October 2022. His passion has always been telling the stories of people who often get overlooked. Share your story ideas and important issues with Nico by emailing him at nico.pennisi@wrtv.com.

by: Darian Benson, Mirror Indy

Posted: Dec 4, 2025 / 02:07 PM EST / Updated: Dec 4, 2025 / 02:07 PM EST

(MIRROR INDY) — The proposed data center in Martindale Brightwood is up for public comment. 

The hearing examiner for the Metropolitan Development Commission will hear the petition 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, in the public assembly room at the City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St. 

Los Angeles-based developer Metrobloks wants to rezone nearly 14 acres of land at 2505 N. Sherman Drive to build a data center. The property is the former site of the Sherman Drive-in Theater, which closed in the 1980s. 

The developer is also seeking a zoning variance to build a 70-foot-tall building. It would be an exception to zoning standards, which allow a maximum building height of 38 feet. Other exceptions the company is asking for include forgoing the maximum 65-foot front yard setback from the street and installing fewer parking spaces than required. 

If the hearing examiner approves the requests, the petition will move to the full Metropolitan Development Commission for a vote.

Written comments about the proposal can be emailed to planneroncall@indy.gov before the hearing. 

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations. 

Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarianor on Bluesky @darianbenson.bsky.social.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Saturday’s Big Ten Championship football game be in Indianapolis as the Indiana Hoosiers take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

But before the kickoff on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, fans from across the country will get ready for the big game with the Big Ten Fan Fest in the adjacent Indiana Convention Center.

The event will start at 3 p.m. Friday, but organizers on Wednesday gave News 8 a sneak peek of their preparations. In the middle of 200,000 square feet of convention space was a 40-yard football field. Organizers say the field will be used for entertainment including prep rallies and flag football games.

Adam McCaffery, communications coordinator of the Big Ten Conference, said Wednesday, “Everyone involved is really excited. It should be a great match. Two great teams and two programs.”

The Fan Fest will be 3-9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday.

Dan Gliot, senior director of marketing communications for the Indiana Sports Corp, said Wednesday, “There are so many cool activations to do around here: If you want to run the 40-yard dash; if you want to catch a ball; if you want to kick a field goal; if you want to do a flag football field clinic. It’s very family-friendly. It’s an awesome way to get excited and get the family together, really get together to experience what college football is about.”

Vendors, games, performances, giveaways, virtual reality games, IndyCar cars and food will be part of the fun.

Plus, for the first time, the Fan Fest will have a wing-eating competition with competitive eater Joey Chestnut.

Fans with a game ticket can attend the Fan Fest for free. Fans without game tickets can pay for the Fan Fest separately at the entrance. Children wearing a jersey will get free admission on Friday.

Paul Kennedy, vice president of sports communications for the Big Ten Conference, said, “There’s so many people that want to feel the energy of game day and be around other fans that may not be lucky enough to be one of the 6,000+ fans in Lucas Oil on Saturday night. This is the absolute best place to do that.”

Indiana University football fans and basketball fans will be taking over downtown Indy, as IU also faces Louisville at 2 p.m. Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. IU, Ohio State and Louisville all sport red school colors.

Gliot said, “This city is literary going to be painted red. I know it’s a metaphor between IU and Ohio State and the Louisville game. We’re expecting a huge crowd to come out, and we’re expecting tons of college football fans to be downtown to be excited and to experience everything that Indianapolis has to offer.”