Buying Indianapolis Public Schools
Guest Post: John Harris Loflin of the Education-Community Action Team of Indianapolis
Who runs our IPS?
Who runs our IPS?
“The crisis is not about education at all. It’s about power.”
~ James Baldwin
Overview:Traditionally, local school board races are nonpartisan. Such elections are supposed to be about grassroots politics and connections made at doorways between candidates and voters. Campaign chests are small: some yard signs, political buttons, and lots of volunteers. As well, school board elections are local--concerned with local issues and influenced by local stakeholders. Those outside a district normally show little concern. Influences from state or national interests are neither necessarily sought nor expected. Why would they be? It’s local politics. Yet, what happened in Indianapolis during our 2012 Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) school board elections threatens this tradition. Such events raise this issue: Need Indianapolis, Marion County, and Indiana voters realize: state-wide and national education organizations and individuals with a market reform agenda for public education intend to control your local school boards.
~ James Baldwin
Overview:Traditionally, local school board races are nonpartisan. Such elections are supposed to be about grassroots politics and connections made at doorways between candidates and voters. Campaign chests are small: some yard signs, political buttons, and lots of volunteers. As well, school board elections are local--concerned with local issues and influenced by local stakeholders. Those outside a district normally show little concern. Influences from state or national interests are neither necessarily sought nor expected. Why would they be? It’s local politics. Yet, what happened in Indianapolis during our 2012 Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) school board elections threatens this tradition. Such events raise this issue: Need Indianapolis, Marion County, and Indiana voters realize: state-wide and national education organizations and individuals with a market reform agenda for public education intend to control your local school boards.
A closer look at the IPS candidates and their campaign finances
To create a perspective, it must be noted that current IPS Commissioner Roof had $2,461 in her 2010 campaign chest. Current Commissioner White had $4,182 in her 2010 campaign chest.For the 2012
To create a perspective, it must be noted that current IPS Commissioner Roof had $2,461 in her 2010 campaign chest. Current Commissioner White had $4,182 in her 2010 campaign chest.For the 2012