MJ Slaby
@mjslaby.bsky.social
Bureau chief at Chalkbeat Indiana. Past: IndyStar, The Incline, Knoxville News Sentinel and more. Built by the IDS
Reposted by MJ Slaby
Indiana House returning next week amid redistricting standoff; Senate will return Dec. 8
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/25/i...
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/25/i...
Indiana House returning next week amid redistricting standoff; Senate will return Dec. 8 • Indiana Capital Chronicle
Indiana House members will return to the Statehouse next week in an apparent attempt to force action on President Donald Trump’s demands for congressional redistricting in the state.
indianacapitalchronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Indiana House returning next week amid redistricting standoff; Senate will return Dec. 8
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/25/i...
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/25/i...
Reposted by MJ Slaby
The options range from a fully elected IPS board overseeing district and charter schools, to an IPS board appointed entirely by the mayor. The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance will make its recommendations to city and state officials by year’s end.
The ILEA has these 4 options for recommending who runs district and charter schools
The options range from a fully elected IPS board overseeing district and charter schools, to an IPS board appointed entirely by the mayor. The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance will make its recommendations to city and state officials by year’s end.
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The options range from a fully elected IPS board overseeing district and charter schools, to an IPS board appointed entirely by the mayor. The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance will make its recommendations to city and state officials by year’s end.
Reposted by MJ Slaby
Several of the options presented by Indianapolis Local Education Alliance members would reduce the power currently held by the IPS school board. The clock is ticking — the ILEA must adopt final recommendations by the end of this year.
The ILEA shared ideas for changing who runs Indianapolis schools. Reactions are rolling in.
Several of the options presented by Indianapolis Local Education Alliance members would reduce the power currently held by the IPS school board. The clock is ticking — the ILEA must adopt final recommendations by the end of this year.
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Several of the options presented by Indianapolis Local Education Alliance members would reduce the power currently held by the IPS school board. The clock is ticking — the ILEA must adopt final recommendations by the end of this year.
Reposted by MJ Slaby
Teachers unions and left-wing coalitions have long resisted mayoral control of urban school districts. But Chicago and Boston are testing that position, as cities like New York and Indianapolis also explore changing who’s in charge.
Mayoral control is dead. Long live mayoral control?
Teachers unions and left-wing coalitions have long resisted mayoral control of urban school districts. But Chicago and Boston are testing that position, as cities like New York and Indianapolis also explore changing who’s in charge.
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Teachers unions and left-wing coalitions have long resisted mayoral control of urban school districts. But Chicago and Boston are testing that position, as cities like New York and Indianapolis also explore changing who’s in charge.
Last night, the ILEA heard recommendations for buses and buildings as expected. But members seemed to say they know they'll have to address governance too. And that could be a big change. Here are the potential options: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance could pick from this menu of solutions
The ILEA could include these potential solutions as part of its final recommendations due to state lawmakers next month.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Last night, the ILEA heard recommendations for buses and buildings as expected. But members seemed to say they know they'll have to address governance too. And that could be a big change. Here are the potential options: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
Reposted by MJ Slaby
The moves dramatically accelerate a decades-long push by conservatives to eliminate the Education Department. The decisions also make clear the administration’s willingness to use legal workarounds to evade Congress.
Is Trump dismantling the Education Department? Not yet. But changes are coming.
The U.S. Education Department is moving management of K-12 and higher education to the Department of Labor and parceling out other core job duties to other agencies. It's the most sweeping effort so far to dismantle the agency.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The moves dramatically accelerate a decades-long push by conservatives to eliminate the Education Department. The decisions also make clear the administration’s willingness to use legal workarounds to evade Congress.
Reposted by MJ Slaby
“My 2025 bingo card has been turned upside down,” House Speaker Todd Huston said in Org Day remarks.
What education issues will Indiana lawmakers consider in 2026?
“My 2025 bingo card has been turned upside down,” House Speaker Todd Huston said in Org Day remarks.
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 9:16 PM
“My 2025 bingo card has been turned upside down,” House Speaker Todd Huston said in Org Day remarks.
Reposted by MJ Slaby
Aligning IPS boundaries with Center Township would remove dozens of district and charter schools from IPS borders.
Why are some IPS board members talking about shrinking district boundaries?
Aligning IPS boundaries with Center Township would remove dozens of district and charter schools from IPS borders.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Aligning IPS boundaries with Center Township would remove dozens of district and charter schools from IPS borders.
The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance meets this week, & the deadline for recommendations is coming up at the end of the year. What questions do you have about the ILEA still? docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Catch up on Amelia's stories here:
www.chalkbeat.org/authors/amel...
Catch up on Amelia's stories here:
www.chalkbeat.org/authors/amel...
What do you want to know about the ILEA?
The deadline for the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance to finalize its recommendations for the future of Indianapolis schools is the end of 2025. Those recommendations will go to district, city an...
docs.google.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance meets this week, & the deadline for recommendations is coming up at the end of the year. What questions do you have about the ILEA still? docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Catch up on Amelia's stories here:
www.chalkbeat.org/authors/amel...
Catch up on Amelia's stories here:
www.chalkbeat.org/authors/amel...
The idea of changing the boundaries lines of IPS is being floated. But what would it take? www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... via Amelia Pak-Harvey of @chalkbeat.org Indiana
Why are some IPS board members talking about shrinking district boundaries?
Aligning IPS boundaries with Center Township would remove dozens of district and charter schools from IPS borders.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:11 PM
The idea of changing the boundaries lines of IPS is being floated. But what would it take? www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... via Amelia Pak-Harvey of @chalkbeat.org Indiana
Reposted by MJ Slaby
An Indiana program giving qualifying students grants for tutoring is reopening to enrollment after shutting down abruptly last spring.
Indiana Learns returns: Here’s who can use the $1,000 tutoring grants
An Indiana program giving qualifying students grants for tutoring is reopening to enrollment after shutting down abruptly last spring.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 9:45 PM
An Indiana program giving qualifying students grants for tutoring is reopening to enrollment after shutting down abruptly last spring.
Reposted by MJ Slaby
The raises are smaller than those offered in the prior two-year contract, reflecting the district’s increasingly precarious financial situation. The increases are available to employees represented by the Indianapolis Education Association.
Here are the raises IPS teachers are eligible for in 2025-27
The raises are smaller than those offered in the prior two-year contract, reflecting the district’s increasingly precarious financial situation. The increases are available to employees represented by the Indianapolis Education Association.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The raises are smaller than those offered in the prior two-year contract, reflecting the district’s increasingly precarious financial situation. The increases are available to employees represented by the Indianapolis Education Association.
Reposted by MJ Slaby
Some groups have suggested increasing mayoral control of schools, either by reducing the number of charter authorizers, having the mayor appoint IPS school board members, or both. But how has that worked out in New York City and Chicago?
Should the Indianapolis mayor hold more power over district and charter schools?
Some groups have suggested increasing mayoral control of schools, either by reducing the number of charter authorizers, having the mayor appoint IPS school board members, or both. But how has that worked out in New York City and Chicago?
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Some groups have suggested increasing mayoral control of schools, either by reducing the number of charter authorizers, having the mayor appoint IPS school board members, or both. But how has that worked out in New York City and Chicago?
Reposted by MJ Slaby
A fourth grade teacher at Central Elementary in Plainfield, Johnson shared her favorite lessons to teach and the best advice she’s ever received in 19 years of teaching.
Meet Indiana’s 2026 Teacher of the Year: Megan Johnson
A fourth grade teacher at Central Elementary in Plainfield, Johnson shared her favorite lessons to teach and the best advice she’s ever received in 19 years of teaching.
bit.ly
November 12, 2025 at 12:11 PM
A fourth grade teacher at Central Elementary in Plainfield, Johnson shared her favorite lessons to teach and the best advice she’s ever received in 19 years of teaching.
Reposted by MJ Slaby
The raises are smaller than those offered in the previous two years, reflecting the district’s precarious financial situation. The district’s projected deficit at the end of 2026 is $44 million.
Here are the raises IPS teachers would receive in the proposed 2025-27 contract
The raises are smaller than those offered in the previous two years, reflecting the district’s precarious financial situation. The district’s projected deficit at the end of 2026 is $44 million.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The raises are smaller than those offered in the previous two years, reflecting the district’s precarious financial situation. The district’s projected deficit at the end of 2026 is $44 million.
See what's in the proposed 2025-27 contract for IPS teachers ⬇️
The raises are smaller than those offered in the previous two years, reflecting the district’s precarious financial situation. The district’s projected deficit at the end of 2026 is $44 million.
Here are the raises IPS teachers would receive in the proposed 2025-27 contract
The raises are smaller than those offered in the previous two years, reflecting the district’s precarious financial situation. The district’s projected deficit at the end of 2026 is $44 million.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 7:06 PM
See what's in the proposed 2025-27 contract for IPS teachers ⬇️
Indiana journalists: Don't forget that this free financial session is tomorrow. There's still time to sign up:
www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...
www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...
November 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Indiana journalists: Don't forget that this free financial session is tomorrow. There's still time to sign up:
www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...
www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by MJ Slaby
A universal school ratings system could provide parents with helpful information and inform high-stakes decisions about interventions and closures. But what should it look like?
This is one thing that advocates of IPS and charter schools agree on
A universal school ratings system could provide parents with helpful information and inform high-stakes decisions about interventions and closures. But what should it look like?
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 12:05 PM
A universal school ratings system could provide parents with helpful information and inform high-stakes decisions about interventions and closures. But what should it look like?
📢 Indiana journalists: Don't for get to RSVP for this event next week!
Mark your calendar and join the Indiana Pro chapter of @spj-posts.bsky.social for this finances for journalists session with
@zinakumok.bsky.social
Register here: www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...
@zinakumok.bsky.social
Register here: www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...
November 6, 2025 at 7:58 PM
📢 Indiana journalists: Don't for get to RSVP for this event next week!
Reposted by MJ Slaby
Voters in six Indiana school districts decided whether to support school referendums after lawmakers made several changes around the process and school funding earlier this year.
Here are the results of six school referendums across Indiana
Voters in six Indiana school districts decided whether to support school referendums after lawmakers made several changes around the process and school funding earlier this year.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Voters in six Indiana school districts decided whether to support school referendums after lawmakers made several changes around the process and school funding earlier this year.
Reposted by MJ Slaby
This is the first school year Indiana students were held back under a 2024 law that aims to make sure students pass the IREAD before going to fourth grade.
How many students were held back due to Indiana’s retention law?
This is the first school year Indiana students were held back under a 2024 law that aims to make sure students pass the IREAD before going to fourth grade.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM
This is the first school year Indiana students were held back under a 2024 law that aims to make sure students pass the IREAD before going to fourth grade.
Stopped by a polling place in Avon where high school orchestra members are playing (Christmas songs!) for voters. Avon is one of six school districts with a referendum on the ballot tonight:
www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
November 4, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Stopped by a polling place in Avon where high school orchestra members are playing (Christmas songs!) for voters. Avon is one of six school districts with a referendum on the ballot tonight:
www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
One week from today: Join the Indiana Pro chapter of
@spj-posts.bsky.social for this finances for journalists session with @zinakumok.bsky.social
It's free! RSVP here: www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...
@spj-posts.bsky.social for this finances for journalists session with @zinakumok.bsky.social
It's free! RSVP here: www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...
November 4, 2025 at 3:09 PM
One week from today: Join the Indiana Pro chapter of
@spj-posts.bsky.social for this finances for journalists session with @zinakumok.bsky.social
It's free! RSVP here: www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...
@spj-posts.bsky.social for this finances for journalists session with @zinakumok.bsky.social
It's free! RSVP here: www.indianaprospj.org/news/2025/10...
It's Election Day for voters in six Indiana school districts with referendums on the ballot. Learn more here: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... via @aleksappleton.bsky.social
New laws turn up pressure on funding referendums in several Indiana school districts
New state property tax caps are expected to affect school funding over the next decade. That raises the stakes for districts’ efforts to convince voters to support higher teacher pay, school resource ...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:55 PM
It's Election Day for voters in six Indiana school districts with referendums on the ballot. Learn more here: www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... via @aleksappleton.bsky.social
Reposted by MJ Slaby
“Ultimately a parent has to make a decision — and you should choose food over pencils.” www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
‘Food over pencils’: SNAP uncertainty increases demands on Indianapolis food pantries
With families still waiting for SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown, Indianapolis-area schools like in Perry Township have geared up to provide food assistance. About 260,000 children in India...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:06 PM
“Ultimately a parent has to make a decision — and you should choose food over pencils.” www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...