The chair of the new mayor-appointed board overseeing Indianapolis public education said a referendum asking voters to pay an additional tax to fund local schools seems likely this November.
In its first meeting, the oversight board of the state-mandated Indianapolis Public Education Corp. outlined a race against the calendar to consider the amount of a potential new tax and hire an executive director to lead the newly formed municipal corporation.
Created by House Enrolled Act 1423, the IPEC board oversees all public and charter schools within the Indianapolis Public Schools district boundaries and assumes some responsibilities previously held by the elected IPS board. That includes the power to levy taxes, manage transportation and facilities, and approve a revenue-sharing formula that “equitably” funds IPS and local charter schools.
Critics argued against stripping the school board of certain powers and sharing tax money with charter schools. But the Republican lawmakers who spearheaded the law say IPEC will help curb IPS’ financial difficulties and improve educational outcomes across public and charter schools.
With IPS’ 2018 operating referendum set to expire at the end of this year, district leaders have said there’s an “immediate urgency” to put a referendum on the ballot this November. The district recently announced $7 million in cuts to schools in the 2026-27 budget as it navigates property tax reductions and a requirement to share taxes with charter schools.
IPEC board chair David Harris — who co-founded the charter school advocacy nonprofit the Mind Trust in 2006 — said board members seem likely to pitch a new tax to voters this fall.
“We want to make sure that everyone is on good financial footing as we embark on this new era in public education in Indianapolis,” Harris said after the meeting. “I think there seems to be a sense that [a referendum] is an important thing to move forward with. There will be questions about the size and the duration that will be important to think about and get input on.”
The current operating referendum, which IPS says raised more than $300 million over eight years, added roughly 19 cents in taxes per $100 of assessed value. In 2023, voters also passed a projected $410 million capital referendum, which funds large investments in facilities rather than annual operating expenses like teacher salaries.
While the amount and timeline of a referendum remains unclear, IPEC leaders said they’d like to consider proposing a new tax toward the end of June. Voters would have to approve that tax in the November election.
The board said there will be opportunities for public comment before any plan is passed. Harris said the board will also form working groups involving community members and financial experts to weigh the decision.
Hogsett to appoint IPEC executive director
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett appointed nine IPEC board members in March — three from the IPS school board, four charter schools leaders or advocates, and two other experts. Now, he must choose a director for the municipal corporation itself, according to state law.
The director will make policy decisions regarding school transportation and facilities within IPS boundaries for the IPEC board’s approval. Major tasks required by state lawmakers include creating a single enrollment system for all participating schools in the district and providing buses for both IPS and charter school students.
Hogsett, who attended the meeting, did not share a specific date for when he aimed to make the hire but said “the sooner the better.”
In the meantime, the board appointed Michael O’Connor of Bose Public Affairs Group to serve as the interim director.
The city paid Bose $40,000 per month over six months for O’Connor to consult the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance, led by Hogsett, to come up with recommendations that led to IPEC’s creation. The city recently extended that contract, which began in July 2025, to last through May, the education news outlet Chalkbeat reported.
When the Indianapolis Public Education Corp. board meets next
Although the IPEC board is required by law to meet only once every three months, the board plans to meet more often this spring and summer.
Here are the next four meeting dates, with times and locations yet to be determined:
IPEC will also soon create a website where the public can follow the agency’s work.
Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTSmith@indystar.com. Follow him on X @jordantsmith09 and Bluesky @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis schools new oversight board will likely pitch new tax in November
Reporting by Jordan Smith, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
