Indianapolis, IN

The ‘People’s Proposal’ encourages ILEA to prioritize voice and choice for Indianapolis Public Schools

Published

6 months ago

December 5, 2025

The ‘People’s Proposal’ encourages ILEA to prioritize voice and choice for Indianapolis Public Schools

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.

WRTV

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.

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Indianapolis, IN

New stores in Indianapolis include indoor kid’s playground, cafe

Published

7 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

New stores in Indianapolis include indoor kid’s playground, cafe

May came and went, and with it, we saw the closest Indianapolis 500 finish in history, the 150th anniversary of Eli Lilly and a contested primary election day.

There’s also been some movement in retail news ahead of the summer shopping season. On the north side, a new women’s clothing store opened while a piercing studio set up shop in Speedway. Meanwhile, an indoor children’s play place opened on the near north side.

Read on for four spots that recently opened and one in Broad Ripple that said farewell.

Openings

Monkee’s

8659 River Crossing Blvd., monkeesofindianapolis.com, opened in March

Monkee’s of Indianapolis, a high-end women’s clothing store, opened recently on the north side in the Shops at River Crossing near the Fashion Mall. The brand Monkee’s started in the South three decades ago and has since grown to nearly 70 locations. In Indianapolis, Missy Llewellyn and Whitney Schmitt started the franchise to bring the clothing brand to the Circle City.

The Nest Play Cafe

515 E 22nd St Suite 101, indynestplaycafe.com, opened early May

The Nest Play Cafe opened at the corner of Central Avenue and 22nd Street, offering an indoor space for parents and caregivers to bring their children to play. Caregivers can book 90-minute play sessions for $15 per child over the age of one. Tickets for additional siblings run $10. The cafe sells coffee and snacks, too.

Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon. Closed Tuesdays.

Forget Me Not Piercing Studio

5324 W. 16th St., jessflowerspiercings.square.site, opened May 27

A new piercing studio opened in Speedway at the end of May just days after the Indianapolis 500. Forget Me Not Piercing offers traditional lobe, helix and conch piercings along with nostril and septum piercings. Artist Jess Flowers opened the one-woman shop on 16th Street.

Open Sunday and Thursday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Black Orchid Barbers Fountain Square

1201 Prospect St. Suite 100, blackorchidbarbers.com, opened in May

Black Orchid, a local barbershop known for its sharp haircuts with a side of humor, opened its Fountain Square spot, marking the company’s seventh brick-and-mortar location. Walk-ins are welcome but Black Orchid recommends grabbing a time slot online for your preferred service.

Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closures

Vitality IV Bar

6302 Guilford Ave., vitalityivbar.com

An IV-wellness spot in Broad Ripple shut its doors last month. Vitality IV Bar was located next to the Thieves cocktail lounge, formerly the Broad Ripple Starbucks location, before it went out of business.

Vitality IV still operates an Indianapolis-area location on Mass Ave downtown at 749 Massachusetts Ave where customers can book a variety of infusions with vitamins.

See a store opening or closing near you? Contact IndyStar reporter Alysa Guffey at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis artist merges forgiveness, healing and protecting water

Published

17 hours ago

June 2, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis artist merges forgiveness, healing and protecting water

Carolyn Springer added streaks of light blue with her brush to the canvas. The streaks, representing light reflected through water, crossed over names written in chalk.

Forty-one names comprised the 11th layer of Springer’s “The Forgiving Sea VI,” an interactive painting that invites people to wr

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Indianapolis, IN

Garfield Park Conservatory will combine nature and crafts in June

Published

1 day ago

June 2, 2026

Press Room

Garfield Park Conservatory will combine nature and crafts in June

Elizabeth Gabriel, Mirror Indy

(MIRROR INDY) — The Garfield Park Conservatory will host multiple family-friendly events throughout June. The events include plant shows, kid’s story time and Dollar Menu Night, which allows residents to harvest and eat veggies from a community garden.

Events at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, range in price and some require advance registration.

The Indianapolis Bonsai Club will have displays and answer questions about a variety of bonsai. Vendors will have items for purchase.

🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6, 1-5 p.m. June 7
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)

Preschoolers ages 2-5 can participate in nature-themed storytime and crafts.

🗓️ 10-11 a.m. June 9
🎟️ $6 per child

Residents of all ages can harvest and eat veggies from Blakes’ Garden. Advance registration is preferred.

🗓️ 6-7 p.m. June 10
🎟️ $1 per person

Focused on ages 2-8, participants will listen to a nature-themed story and explore Blakes’ Garden. Attendees will relocate to a classroom if there’s inclement weather.

🗓️ 10 a.m. June 12
🎟️ Free

Up to 15 neighbors ages 10 and up will learn to ferment kimchi. Registration is required.

🗓️ 1-2 p.m. June 13
🎟️ $15 per person

Kids ages 2-5 can plant and harvest crops in the Children’s Garden. Registration is required.

🗓️ 11 a.m. to noon June 24
🎟️ $6 per child

The Indiana Insectivores will display tropical and native Indiana predator plants. Plants will also be available for purchase. Those who attend the plant show will also have free entry to the Predatory Plants Presentation 1-2 p.m. June 27.

🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27, 1-5 p.m. June 28
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)

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

Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.

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