Task Force Tackles Mental Health and School Culture at First Public Meeting

Indianapolis Public Schools aims to create a sense of affirming, stable, healthy, and safe environments in its buildings. To achieve this goal, the IPS Mental Health and School Culture Task Force held its first public meeting.

"We all care about kids and what's best for them, and it would be wrong not to learn a best practice," said IPS School Board Commissioner Hope Duke Star.

The Task Force's collaborative approach involves evaluating the current cultural state of IPS, being proactive with trends that may affect student well-being, and seeking feedback from students, parents, and staff.

Evaluating, looking at the culture. Looking at the services and then asking folks what's missing? What are we missing? Where are our opportunities to serve you better?" said Volunteer Chair Bwana Clements.

The Task Force was established in April 2024 following public outcry over an incident at George Washington Carver Montessori School 87, where a former IPS teacher is accused of encouraging students to participate in a 'fight club' as punishment.

Clements emphasized the importance of giving community members the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings about what they see and experience daily in IPS schools.

It's a three-pronged approach. Surveys are the most efficient way to get information out and receive information. It allows us to track the data, look at trends," he said.

The Task Force plans to conduct surveys, hold focus groups, and one-on-one interviews to gather feedback from students, parents, and staff. Clements expressed excitement about the initiative's potential for positive change.

I'm encouraged. I love that IPS had the foresight to say, 'Hey, we want to go deeper. We want to know more,'" he said.

The next meeting will be held on June 18, and the public is invited to attend and share their thoughts.