Monday Morning Musings
Here is the latest Indianapolis political gossip, rumor and innuendo for your reading pleasure.
- Expect announcements this week from the Indiana Department of Education on recommendations concerning the six failing Indianapolis Public Schools that failed to make it off of academic probation. Washington, Arlington, Broad Ripple, Emma Donnan, Howe and Manual are potentially on the chopping block. It’s believed that Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett will make his recommendations this week and the State Board of Education will vote early next week. Under state law, Bennett can recommend options ranging from a total takeover to academic assistance. IPS Superintendent Dr. Eugene White has threatened to take the state to court over the takeover, saying the state should not have counted 7th and 8th grade scores at the district’s community high schools.
- Speaking of Superintendent of Public Instruction, a couple names have already started to surface as potential challengers in next year’s elections. Democratic State Senator Tim Skinner of Terre Haute and State Representative Terry Goodin of Austin are being named as possible candidates. Both have spent time in education. Skinner was a high school government teacher. Goodin is an administrator.
- In another bit of school news, the Franklin Township School Board is slated to pick a replacement tonight for outgoing school board member Aaron Sullivan. Sullivan announced his resignation, in part over the continuing controversies involving the district’s finances. Although the board has reportedly received applications from a number of candidates, the name I keep hearing as the board’s choice is Ron Green. What makes his pick interesting is that Green reportedly ran the public relations/outreach in the last township referendum which was turned down by voters nearly 3-1. I’m told he was paid $30,000 for his work.
- Local Libertarians got some good news this weekend. The National Libertarian Party has pledged to donate $50,000 to the re-election of City-County Councilor Ed Coleman. Coleman currently serves at-large but decided to run against current District 24 office holder Jack Sandlin. Sandlin took over from the vacancy created by Mike Speedy who was elected to the Indiana General Assembly.
- I did not forget the Indiana State Fair. I have some thoughts on the litigation being filed, which I will share later in the week.
- The audio blog posts will continue as well. I had a couple kinks in the system which I think I have finally worked out.
