Indianapolis Public Schools to Reevaluate Innovation Network Contracts Amid Budget Constraints
Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is seeking to renegotiate its agreements with Innovation Network schools, aiming to charge them more for services such as transportation, food service, and facilities support. This move comes as the district faces a significant budget crunch. The IPS Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on providing notices of termination for existing contracts with these Innovation schools. While these schools operate independently in terms of instruction and staffing, they receive various services from IPS. The district has clarified that it will not end or interrupt current contracts this school year, and the termination notices are a necessary legal step to explore more fiscally responsible arrangements. IPS intends to continue its partnerships but at the actual cost of the services provided, as current Indiana law caps what it can charge. The district plans to seek changes to this law during the upcoming legislative session in January.
