INDIANAPOLIS — Tuesday night, MSD of Pike Township school leaders led a community conversation to reassure parents they have the best interests of their kids in mind.
This meeting comes after a few tumultuous months where teachers and bus drivers demanded better pay from the district. When an agreement on raises couldn't be reached, coordinated call-outs led to days where classes would go virtual or be canceled.
It was a tough time for parents like Nakela Irby.
"I have a kid in school and I know the bus drivers wouldn't show up some days. We couldn't plan for it as parents. Teachers wouldn't show up some days and again, we couldn't plan for that as parents," Irby said.
Irby said she did not agree with the tactics used to force school leaders to raise pay. However, she believes it was a wake up call for the district, highlighting the need for them to do better to benefit their students.
"I want to see some more unity in the community," Irby said. "When we first moved to Pike High School, it was a community. Everybody worked together."
MSD of Pike Township school leaders said they're going to try and become the best paying school district in Marion County. To do that, they're exploring options including bringing a referendum before the voters.
"A referendum guarantees a revenue stream for eight years," Robin Winston, who's helped other school districts in the past with referendums, said. "It doesn't decrease. So, the bottom line is that's one way for us to address an equitable future for the staff and teachers.. and for the 10,000 plus kids in your school district."
"If we need to increase our taxes to help the teachers and school bus drivers and everyone else that works in our school to feel better, come to work and do their job, that's what we need to do," Irby said.
School leaders also discussed plans to hire a new superintendent.
Dr. Larry Young has been serving as interim superintendent since last month following Dr. Flora Reichanadter's resignation.
The board signaled they would like to make his position permanent in effort to bring hope and healing to the district.
-
More rain chances help ease the drought
Moderate to severe drought has finally seen some improvement. Additional rain chances could help even more.
Suspect shot after reportedly striking IMPD officer with car
IMPD says a suspect was shot after striking an officer with their vehicle at a CVS in downtown Indianapolis. The officer is reported to be in good condition and the suspect is said to be stable.
Man sentenced to 8 years in prison for Lawrence crash that killed couple in 2022
A Noblesville man will spend 8 years behind bars for a crash that killed a Fishers elementary school teacher and her husband in July 2022.
Trump picks RFK Jr. to lead Health and Human Services
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
