Indianapolis Development News

[cjfjapan]

Originally Posted by cwilson758

well, it is no surprise that IPS does so poorly, but one must remember that there are many other school systems in Indianapolis/Marion County. For the entire City I would like to know the rate. I mean, IPS covers the most economically depressed area in nearly all of Indiana, of course there would be problems.

Sure enough - I was ticked off that so many wire stories were generalizing that 'Indianapolis" has a high drop out rate, when the data was coming from IPS as far as I know. I cannot imagine the townships having such low graduation rates.

[arenn]

The state of Indiana reports IPS's graduation rate at 46.1%.

The townships aren't that good, however.

Pike Township is 72.4%
Washington Township is 83.1%
Lawrence Township is 78.8%
Warren Township is 71.7%
Perry Township is 78%
Decatur Township is 75.4%
Franklin Township is 76.1% (if I pulled the right Franklin Township)
Wayne Townships is 65.6%

By contrast:

Zionsville 94.9%
Carmel 94%
Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers) 89.1%

Move to the suburbs and your taxes go down while your school quality goes up.

[billionbucks]

As an IPS graduate and education major, I see many aspects to the problem. Politics and home life are the major issues when you get down to it. It is not the quality of teachers or the school facilities anymore (since they're finally being fixed for the first time in 100 years). IPS has seen several budget cuts over the past several years that directly relates to urban programs. Programs that keep students busy, interested, and involved with school activities and classes have been cut, not to mention money that buys every student a book. It also starts from the bottom - pre-school and full day kindergarten are still an issue.... Then there's home life... which is the biggest problem... but don't even know where to begin on that. *end ramble*

[NaptownBoy]

All of these graduation rates are useless without formulas. I need to see how people are getting these numbers; school districts themselves have been known to use every method under the sun to boost their rates.

I don't buy that only "30 percent" of IPS kids graduate. Sure didn't seem like 30 percent when I was in high school, which wasn't that long ago. In terms of raw numbers, I'd say it's closer to fifty percent. Who accounts for district transfers and those who need an extra year or two to graduate?

[cjfjapan]

The socio-economic situation in center twp is a major issue. The school funding formula is also a problem. Center Twp has blocks and blocks of tax exempt buildings - government, religious, educational, which means the effective tax rate for IPS has to be higher than it would be in the townships, especially Pike. While the townships might pay more in real $$, I would venture that as a percentage of their worth, they pay less than Center Twp. Relativity, baby!

Originally Posted by billionbucks

As an IPS graduate and education major, I see many aspects to the problem. Politics and home life are the major issues when you get down to it. It is not the quality of teachers or the school facilities anymore (since they're finally being fixed for the first time in 100 years). IPS has seen several budget cuts over the past several years that directly relates to urban programs. Programs that keep students busy, interested, and involved with school activities and classes have been cut, not to mention money that buys every student a book. It also starts from the bottom - pre-school and full day kindergarten are still an issue.... Then there's home life... which is the biggest problem... but don't even know where to begin on that. *end ramble*

[indyfiend]

Seems a little cartoonish, but I like the steel and neon. It will be nice to have a corner diner like the old days.

[billionbucks]

yea it does look cartoonish but it'll look better in person

[ablerock]

Originally Posted by billionbucks

yea it does look cartoonish but it'll look better in person

I don't believe you one bit. :-)

[arenn]

I'm on record as saying I think the downtown sign ordinance is way too restrictive. It makes even full buildings often look vacant.

The use of neon and metal could be nice, if it really comes off as appropriately retro. Lots of us go "ooh and ahh" at places like Times Square or Tokyo or Seoul. There's nothing wrong with lots of bright signage if done tastefully and they keep it lit most of the time. If this is really all neon and the metal is good and shiny, I think it could be decent.

This is basically adaptive reuse of an existing structure. It's not my preferred development for the corner, but it doesn't preclude doing something better later.

[NaptownBoy]

Are the donuts good?

[thundermutt]

Originally Posted by cjfjapan

The socio-economic situation in center twp is a major issue. The school funding formula is also a problem. Center Twp has blocks and blocks of tax exempt buildings - government, religious, educational, which means the effective tax rate for IPS has to be higher than it would be in the townships, especially Pike. While the townships might pay more in real $$, I would venture that as a percentage of their worth, they pay less than Center Twp. Relativity, baby!

1. Big chunks of Washington and Warren Twps. and smaller slices of Wayne, Pike, and Lawrence Twps. are in IPS.

2. The last "stat" I read on the topic had 45% of Center Twp. as tax-exempt land held by Fed, State, and City offices, IUPUI, Wishard, Methodist, Convention Center, stadiums, White River State Park, zoo, museums, parks (Riverside Park, Riverside GC, Coffin GC, Spades, Brookside, Christian, Garfield, Washington), schools (IPS, private, and charter), and churches. Many of those uses are regional or statewide, yet the burdens of the tax exemption are borne mainly by Center Twp. residents.

[arenn]

The state taking over the police and fire pensions should be good for Center Township.

Did the IPD-Sheriff's merger eliminate the special levy for IPD?

The complete consolidation of townships would eliminate some of the disparities, but school districts are probably a non-starter absent a court order of some kind, and mandates like that have gone out of fashion. (Louisville, Kentucky and Jefferson County have a consolidated school system countywide thanks to just such a court order in the 1970's). I'm not sure school consolidation is even the right answer anyway. It certainly isn't a panacea for what ails IPS.

[cjfjapan]

Originally Posted by arenn

The state taking over the police and fire pensions should be good for Center Township.

Did the IPD-Sheriff's merger eliminate the special levy for IPD?

The complete consolidation of townships would eliminate some of the disparities, but school districts are probably a non-starter absent a court order of some kind, and mandates like that have gone out of fashion. (Louisville, Kentucky and Jefferson County have a consolidated school system countywide thanks to just such a court order in the 1970's). I'm not sure school consolidation is even the right answer anyway. It certainly isn't a panacea for what ails IPS.

School district consolidation would help, at least with the IPS district tax burden, and the school choice options for IPS students. The bigger issue is the working and non-working poor in the center of the city, and the opportunities available to them. Nearly all "city" school districts in the country are hurting, mostly because of the legacy of racial apartheid the helped draw those boundaries.

[billionbucks]

Indianapolis is in the national news ... thanks to ATA and it's ceasing of flights leaving passangers stranded. Economy sucks.

[indyfiend]

Originally Posted by NaptownBoy

Are the donuts good?

We can always count on you to ask the "hard hitting" questions

[looksee]

Hope you don't mind my poaching, but someone was bound to do this:

[thundermutt]

Clever. Subtle. Retro.

Love your work.

[looksee]

Right back at ya. Thanks.

[arenn]

That's awesome

[IndyYeah]

Originally Posted by billionbucks

Indianapolis is in the national news ... thanks to ATA and it's ceasing of flights leaving passangers stranded. Economy sucks.

It was all over National Public radio today. Employees coming to work- wherever, and cannot get clearance to enter the airport employee areas with their id's. People getting screwed over on their flights... Would have been nice to see a big Indianapolis airline making it and garnering respect, instead of this.