Indiana

Is IPS Worth Shutting Down State Government?

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Will someone please tell me if the Indianapolis Public School system worth shutting down the government of Indiana?

At the end of the day, this is what this budget deadlock is coming down to.  Some folks in the legislature want to protect the state’s largest school system; and I would argue to the detriment of everything else.

Now ask yourself these questions.

• Is giving IPS more money worth closing down a BMV?
• Is giving IPS more money worth not opening a state park?
• Is giving IPS more money worth more than foster parents getting assistance to take care of an abused or neglected child?
• Is giving IPS more money worth more than giving money to a state college or university?

If you’re having trouble answering these questions, allow me to remind you of a few facts.

• IPS is losing on average more than 1,000 students per year, and only 14% of that is to the charter school population.
• IPS is laying off teachers, but still found the cash to hire Dr. Eugene White’s son?
• IPS is laying off teachers, but spent $800,000 on electronic signs.
• Ten IPS schools are ripe for a takeover from the state.
• IPS spends an average of $14,000 per year per student.  The average charter school spends $8,000.
• The IPS class of 04-05 was 4,419 students, but there were only 1240 in the  graduating class of 07-08.

So I ask again,  is IPS worth shutting down the government of Indiana?  You tell me.

And by the way, here are a couple Senate Memos on the government shutdown for your reading pleasure.

Senate Memo on Government Shutdown #1

Senate Memo on Government Shutdown #2

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on June 24, 2009 (boomark / email).