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Protesters upset about IPS high school closures

Posted at 8:57 PM, Jun 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-27 21:03:10-04

INDIANAPOLIS – Several people who took part in a protest outside Indianapolis Public Schools headquarters Tuesday evening voiced their opinions about school closures during a board meeting.

Protesters said they felt left out of the decision-making process that will result in the upcoming closure of three district high schools.

IPS held many informational meetings for the public, but protesters said they didn’t like the tone of those gatherings. They want IPS to slow down the process of school closures.

"It appears that we're just going to close three schools and walk away without evaluating the impact on the community,” said David Greene of IPS Community Coalition.

The district announced the possibility of closing three high schools in April when they became aware of low attendance levels.

RELATED | CALL 6: Three IPS high schools could close for Fall 2018 school year due to low enrollment | IPS adds meeting about possible high school closings following large response from community

Internal reports show the district’s high schools are only about one third full.

IPS currently has seven high schools: Arlington, Arsenal Tech, Broad Ripple, Crispus Attucks, George Washington, Northwest and Shortridge.

Closing three schools could save the district about $4 million a year, which could be put toward student services and maintaining schools with low enrollment, according to the report.

 

IPS is expected to reveal which schools have been recommended to close on Wednesday.