3 Indy charters closing within a year—Him by Her, Vanguard and now, Thrival. All (approved by 3 different authorizers) had low enrollment. All 3 had principals, back office staff, facilities costs and more. The schools had a combined total of 371 students. Consolidation? Indy needs a better system of cooperation between charters. The academic programs are not the problem. Duplicative back office costs, lack of working together should be addressed. GEO stands ready to support. Together, we can be stronger.
If the system of charter schools become integrated with each other doesn’t it just become a new version of the existing public school system? what other factors were involved with the closings? How much parental involvement/interest was there for the schools in their respective areas? How much did families pay out of pocket? Is homeschooling an avenue the families were choosing over charter? How many children were actually eligible to attend the school? etc… I think it is a naive view to assume the school simple closed due to a lack of consolidation and use that as an excuse to combine a school model that is designed to be a more private, and personal. Also where are the studies on what the families in that community want? Did the charter school conduct one before it was implemented? Is a current study being held to assess the needs of the communities? These are just my wild speculations and questions that I had when I read the post.I truly think that if the charter schools were not meeting the needs of the communities then they did need to be shut down. It will create space for more competent schooling options.
Kahlil Mwaafrika
10mo
A way to offset some the enrollment challenges is to build in early childhood program as a part of school. Incorporating early childhood programming not only helps build a sustainable , enrollment feeder but it assists school programs with instilling a rudimentary culture and a framework for a sustainable practice. The Indy public school ( traditional and non -traditional) space is late to the party on the power of early childhood programming. Each of these schools had an abundance of space that could have been filled with young children preparing to transition into high quality schools. Unfortunately, archaic bureaucratic practices prevent the amalgamation of ECE and K-12. Early childhood may not be the panacea for all the woes of education but based on the data in this child care desert study ( https://www.incontext.indiana.edu/2019/jan-feb/article2.asp) each of those three , now closed , schools could have mightily benefited from a system that would count young children in enrollment. It’s beyond time to professionalize early childhood education and elevate the conversation.
Tracy Barnes, MSL
10mo
Having been involved with a charter school shutdown, Kevin Teasley, you are absolutely correct! Another area of high cost which is prime for consolidation and shared services is with the school IT infrastructures and software systems. This is increasingly vital to the success of the schools and more vital to the success and preparation for our next generations!!!
Lloyd Knight
10mo
I love your thinking.
Patty Fisher
10mo
Agreed 100% with Kahlil.
Helping Bridge and the Gap Between Print and Video
10moKevin, if I can add value to the discussion on Talent and HR operations, please count me in. We are working with a few charter and private schools and welcome the opportunity to be a source of support for others in need.