The Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners has sent a letter to the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA) outlining its priorities for the future of public education in the city.

The board’s letter mostly touched on keeping some democratic oversight, streamlining accountability, sustainable funding and planning for local schools. But it also advised against a potential “all-charter system.” Some stakeholders have speculated on the pros and cons of a network of individual charter schools as opposed to traditional school district. The board made their feelings known:

“We deeply understand the ways public schools have not consistently lived up to the promise of opportunity, and we have each accepted our roles as board members with a deep sense of responsibility to make good on that promise,” said the letter. “We reject the notion that a shift in governance to an all-charter system is the solution for education in our community. Twenty years after the launch of charter schools in our city, student achievement remains low, with collective proficiency rates yet to reach 30% regardless of school type. This is not criticism of charter schools—we proudly partner with multiple charter schools doing incredibly difficult work to serve students well.”

The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA) is a state-mandated task force established in 2025 through House Bill 1515 to address problems like transportation. Led by Mayor Joe Hogsett and composed of local leaders, the ILEA is supposed to improve collaboration between traditional Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), charter schools, and innovation schools.

Read the full letter here.