Indianapolis, IN

Two IPS parents square off in sole contested Indianapolis school board race

Published

2 years ago

October 19, 2022

Two IPS parents square off in sole contested Indianapolis school board race

This story was initially revealed by Chalkbeat. Join their newsletters at chalkbeat.org/newsletters

The only contested race within the Indianapolis Public Colleges board elections will depart District 3 voters selecting between two IPS mother and father who’ve hung out working or volunteering in colleges and have important considerations in regards to the district’s revitalization plan.

Hope Hampton and Kristen Phair will face off within the Nov. 8 election to symbolize the district, which encompasses quickly altering neighborhoods in midtown Indianapolis, together with Mapleton-Fall Creek, elements of Martindale-Brightwood, Butler-Tarkington, and Broad Ripple.

The winner might assist oversee the rollout of the district’s Rebuilding Stronger proposal, a serious overhaul unveiled final month that will consolidate some colleges, shut others, and reconfigure grades all through the district. The present board might vote on the plan as quickly as subsequent month, earlier than the newly constituted board is sworn in. However throughout an Oct. 5 candidate discussion board co-hosted by Chalkbeat Indiana and WFYI, each Hampton and Phair mentioned they might vote towards it.

Incumbent Evan Hawkins, the present board president, just isn’t searching for reelection after serving one time period.

District 3 features a numerous inhabitants, from the principally white space of Meridian-Kessler to the neighboring Fairgrounds space, the place practically half of the residents are folks of shade, in line with 2019 Indy Vitals statistics. Poverty charges range extensively throughout the district as nicely.

The district consists of a couple of dozen colleges, together with two Heart for Inquiry colleges, the district’s two Butler lab colleges, and the Sidener Academy for Excessive Capability College students.

Rebuilding Stronger requires a variety of modifications in District 3, together with the closure of Floro Torrence College 83, the merger of Francis Parker Montessori College 56 with James Russell Lowell College 51, and the relocation of Sidener Academy to the previous web site of College 56.

Phair, a mom of three college students who attend George Washington Carver Montessori College 87, is a former deputy state public defender who later started substitute educating and volunteering at College 87 after the pandemic began.

That’s when her appreciation for lecturers grew — a theme she continuously confused in public candidate boards held in October.

“We’re in dire straits for certified lecturers, and my worry is that if our answer to that’s fast-tracking credentialing, it’s going to be a race to the underside for our children,” Phair mentioned on the Oct. 5 candidate discussion board. “So it’s crucial that we retain and recruit certified lecturers and get them within the school rooms and hold them there.”

Hampton, who has a son at Shortridge Excessive College, has a level in social work and is now a small enterprise proprietor, however has labored as a counselor on the KIPP Indy constitution college community and as a dean at North Central Excessive College in Washington Township.

She additionally beforehand labored for the Affiliation for Mortgage Free Training, a gaggle that helped college students attend school — the identical group that helped her obtain the next schooling as a first-generation school scholar.

Hampton has confused neighborhood partnerships as a possible answer for a variety of challenges, from securing philanthropic funding to recruiting extra lecturers of shade.

“There are organizations who do nice work in serving to to recruit, serving to to retain Black and brown lecturers, and we’d like a relationship with them and never assume that the district can try this by themselves,” Hampton mentioned at one other candidate discussion board hosted by KIPP Indy, the Edna Martin Christian Heart, and the nonprofit RISE Indy on Oct. 6. “It’s not so simple as saying, ‘We have now openings.’”

Each Hampton and Phair mentioned the district wants extra neighborhood enter from mother and father and lecturers concerning the Rebuilding Stronger plan.

The plan, which is supposed to handle problems with fairness and the monetary troubles related to declining enrollment, expands entry to Heart for Inquiry and Montessori colleges, amongst different college fashions. These high-demand applications have proven a few of the highest educational outcomes, in line with the district.

However Hampton has expressed concern in regards to the replication of such applications, arguing that there’s “no proof” that these fashions shut studying disparities between white college students and college students of shade.

Phair mentioned she would really like the district to check whether or not the proposed modifications are finest for every college neighborhood.

“I don’t consider it’s a one-size-fits-all method,” she mentioned of educational fashions the district might broaden. “So a replication have to be achieved with integrity.”

Phair mentioned she wish to see a pause on the proliferation of innovation constitution colleges whereas the district focuses on the Rebuilding Stronger plan.

However Hampton mentioned that making blanket proclamations about any education mannequin does a disservice to households.

“Many innovation colleges are closing the hole for college kids and households and growing the variety of college students that graduate and pursue a university diploma,” Hampton mentioned in an e-mail. “That’s vital.”

Hampton and Phair have completely different options for fixing the district’s impending price range disaster.

Phair has pushed for assertive lobbying on the state stage in order that IPS receives extra funding.

“We should additionally discover methods to capitalize on the assets we have now,” Phair wrote in a Chalkbeat Indiana and WFYI candidate survey. “The state has prevented IPS from promoting unused buildings for market worth which, in flip, prevents our district from using these belongings for the betterment of our colleges.”

Hampton has known as for extra transparency and accountability in district funds.

“With a purpose to tackle the [predicted] deficit, it’s vital that the district carefully examines the methods by which it invests its assets and leverages its companions, together with philanthropic funding,” Hampton wrote in her survey response.

Stand for Kids Indiana and RISE Indy, two teams which have embraced constitution colleges in IPS, have endorsed Hampton. She famous that these teams work to symbolize households of shade, serving to them higher perceive and advocate for what they want.

Within the Oct. 5 discussion board, she recalled how the Affiliation for Mortgage Free Training helped her family and guided her into school.

“If it weren’t for them mobilizing and supporting my mother and father and bringing them to the desk, educating them learn how to get me to school, I wouldn’t be sitting right here at the moment,” Hampton mentioned.

Phair, nonetheless, has questioned the out-of-state cash that helps fund these teams. She mentioned that she is searching for an endorsement from the lecturers union, which previously has funded candidates operating towards these supported by teams reminiscent of RISE and Stand.

“I feel the large query is: Why are rich, out-of-state donors excited about a neighborhood college board race?” she mentioned on the Oct. 5 discussion board. “Folks spend money on issues to see a return, and I’m afraid that rich out-of-state donors see our schooling system as a possibility for revenue.”

Hampton mentioned she has reached out to the instructor’s union to ask about their endorsement course of.

The election is Nov. 8. Early voting started Oct. 12 and ends Nov. 7.

Amelia Pak-Harvey covers Indianapolis and Marion County colleges for Chalkbeat Indiana. Contact Amelia at apak-harvey@chalkbeat.org.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit information web site protecting academic change in public colleges.

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Indianapolis, IN

‘Supernatural’ convention bringing stars Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and more to Indy

Published

5 hours ago

July 30, 2024

Press Room

‘Supernatural’ convention bringing stars Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and more to Indy

An SPN Family reunion is coming to Indianapolis.

Creation Entertainment’s “The Road So Far… The Road Ahead” tour is bringing stars of the CW’s “Supernatural” to downtown Indy next month, including Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and more. The weekend-long event includes panels, meet-and-greet opportunities as well as a special event hosted by Collins.

Here’s what you need to know about the event, scheduled for Aug. 23-25.

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Where is the ‘Supernatural’ convention in Indianapolis?

The Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, 350 W. Maryland St. Aug. 23-25.

Lineup includes Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins and more

According to the event’s website, the following stars and special guests are expected to attend the event:

Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester)
Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester)
Misha Collins (Castiel)
Jeffrey Dean Morgan (John Winchester)
Samantha Smith (Mary Winchester)
Ruth Connell (Rowena MacLeod)
Rob Benedict (Chuck Shurley)
Richard Speight Jr. (Archangel Gabriel)
Matt Cohen (young John Winchester, Archangel Michael)
Briana Buckmaster (Donna Hanscum)
Julian Richings (Death)
Kim Rhodes (Sheriff Jody Mills)
DJ Qualls (Garth Fitzgerald IV)
Osric Chau (Kevin Tran)
Adam Rose (TikToker)
Jason Manns (musician)

Creation cautions that all guests and scheduling are subject to change.

How much do Supernatural convention tickets cost?

Single-day general admission tickets start at $70 for Friday, $80 for Saturday and $100 for Sunday. A general admission weekend pass is $249.

A variety of weekend packages, with benefits like exclusive panels and autograph opportunities, range in price from $379 to $1,775. For tickets and more information, visit bit.ly/4d8xc16.

‘Supernatural’ meet-and-greets, autographs

Photo opportunities and autographs will be available for purchase with many of the scheduled guests. Here are the prices for photos and autographs with the headlining stars:

Jensen Ackles: Photos $199 / Autographs available for gold and silver weekend patrons only
Jared Padalecki: Photos $199 / Autographs $169 (will not be signing for gold and silver patrons)
Misha Collins: Photos $149 (Saturday only) and $169 (in costume, Sunday only) / Autographs $119
Jeffrey Dean Morgan: Photos $199 / Autographs $169

Interactive opportunities with the featured guests don’t stop there. DJ Qualls will also host a masquerade-themed karaoke night with ticketed pre- and post-events.

For a full list of experiences and prices, visit bit.ly/4d8xc16.

What’s the schedule for the ‘Supernatural’ convention in Indy?

The full schedule has not yet been released as of late July. According to Creation’s website, the final schedule will be released closer to the event.

Misha Collins’ special event at Creation Indianapolis

Collins will host a special, 18+ event on Saturday evening called “It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time.” In a June Instagram post, he described it as a one-person show that’s “part memoir, part therapy and part indecent exposure.”

Do I need convention passes for Misha Collins’ show in Indy?

No; this is a separately ticketed event that does not overlap with the convention’s scheduled Saturday night concert. Tickets are priced at $79 for general admission and $139 to $189 for reserved seats. For more information, visit bit.ly/3WfAlFQ.

Things to do in Indianapolis: Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them

Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at holly.hays@indystar.com. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.

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Indianapolis, IN

IU approves policy that will shutter pro-Palestinian camp at Indy campus

Published

12 hours ago

July 29, 2024

Press Room

IU approves policy that will shutter pro-Palestinian camp at Indy campus

by Claire Rafford

The Indiana University board of trustees approved a new policy Monday that will effectively shut down a three-month pro-Palestinian encampment at IU Indianapolis.

In a news release, board of trustees Chair W. Quinn Buckner said arrests and chaos at an IU Bloomington pro-Palestinian protest in April led the board to update and standardize policies across all campuses.

“We can’t let one person or group’s expression infringe on the rights of others, disrupt learning experiences for our students or interrupt regular university business,” Buckner said in the release.

Members of the Indianapolis encampment say the policy is targeted at the pro-Palestinian student movement and will limit their freedom of speech.

Layth Abdulbari, a leader in the encampment and student at IUPUI, said though he is sad that the policy passed, he and the other members of the camp are looking into other ways to protest and build community. They are eventually planning to take legal action against the university.

“We’re really going to respond with action,” the 21-year-old said. “That’s going to be our primary response.”

Students have been camping out under the Kelley School of Business on IU Indianapolis’ campus since April 26 to protest Israel’s invasion of Gaza following the Hamas missile strike on Oct. 7. The students also are demanding that IU divest from Israel and the Crane naval base.

Abdulbari said that though the students plan to pack up the encampment in the next few days, they feel their presence did make a difference.

“The policy being made is an example and a testament to us being heard, because they refuse to listen, but they hear us,” he said. “There’s something to say about that.”

Organized by the Palestinian Solidarity Committee at IUPUI, the encampment is one of the few remaining in the country after pro-Palestinian protests swept college campuses across the country this spring.

What’s in the new policy?

The new policy will ban all camping, no matter the time of day, unless it is part of a university-approved event. It also prohibits protest activity from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. A draft of the policy released in June only banned overnight camping.

The policy also bars demonstrations within 25 feet of building entrances, requires that temporary structures such as tents be approved 10 days in advance, mandates pre-approval for hanging signs and symbols on university-owned property, including lampposts, and prohibits amplified noise that “materially and substantially” disrupts university life.

The newly-approved protocol also includes limits on where and how students can write messages. Students can still draw with washable chalk on sidewalks, but cannot display messages on other university buildings, lampposts or walls; or write with permanent or semipermanent substances on any university property.

The new policy will take effect Aug. 1.

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Indianapolis, IN

Reports: Colts defensive end out for season with Achilles tear

Published

19 hours ago

July 29, 2024

Press Room

Reports: Colts defensive end out for season with Achilles tear

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts had their first big injury blow of Training Camp.

According to NFL Network, starting defensive end Samson Ebukam is expected to miss the entire season after tearing his Achilles tendon during team drills Sunday afternoon.

Ebukam was poised to have another big year as one of the Colts’ most dangerous edge rushers. Last season, the seven-year veteran helped the Colts defense set a new franchise sack record with his own career-high of 9.5 takedowns. Ebukam added 57 tackles and three forced fumbles during his first year with the Colts.

Before moving to Indianapolis, Ebukam was an impact player for the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

Ebukam’s loss will have a significant impact on the defensive line depth chart. His absence could open up more opportunities for rookie Laiatu Latu, who the Colts drafted 15th overall in this year’s draft. Latu was the first defensive player chosen, as well.

Fourteen different Colts players had at least one sack for the Colts’ record 51 last season. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley returns for his third year in Indy with most of his veteran playmakers — like Zaire Franklin, Kenny Moore II, DeForest Buckner, and Grover Stewart — back in the locker room, as well.

Saturday, Bradley was feeling confident with his leadership up front.

“I mean that’s where it starts, right, is with your defensive line, especially with who we have upfront,” Bradley said after practice Saturday. “We like our veteran presence, the leadership there. So we’re counting on them to kind of set the tone for the whole defense because we have a saying, it starts upfront. And really with us, that’s true.”

The Colts return to Training Camp Tuesday for the first practice in pads. Head coach Shane Steichen knows he and the coaching staff will learn a lot about their team with they go live.

“It’s the first time we’ve put on pads since the end of the year,” Steichen said Sunday. “(We’re looking for) toughness really. You know what I mean? Pads are going to come on, it’s going to be more physical obviously out there and looking forward to that.”

News 8 will have continued live coverage from Grand Park in Westfield all Colts Training Camp.

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