Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch 3053 Opposes Appointed IPS Governance; Affirms Authority of Elected School Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — December 17, 2025 — The Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch 3053 strongly opposes any move to weaken or replace the democratically elected Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) Board of Commissioners. Transferring power to a mayor-appointed or hybrid structure undermines democratic accountability and silences the voice of our community.

The latest proposal advanced by the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA) would shift control of facilities, transportation, and public tax dollars away from elected officials to appointed bodies, leaving voters without meaningful oversight. Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch President Chrystal Ratcliffe said, “Elected school boards answer to the public. Appointed boards reduce transparency, weaken community participation, and erode trust in decisions that affect every neighborhood in Indianapolis, particularly historically marginalized communities.” 

The NAACP remains committed to public accountability, educational equity, and community representation in the governance of our nation’s public schools. The proposed changes risk increasing privatization by creating unfair advantages for charter or privately managed schools. A fully empowered elected board is essential to ensuring equitable resources across all schools and preventing fragmented governance. Diminishing the authority of the IPS elected board threatens the principles of democracy and would further destabilize the district. The Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch 3053 stands unequivocally against any appointed or hybrid governance model. Public schools must remain governed by leaders chosen by voters. 

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About Greater Indianapolis NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized civil rights organization. Its mission is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. The Greater Indianapolis Branch of the NAACP was founded in 1912. Throughout our 113-year history, we have continued to fight for civil rights, particularly in the areas of job and housing discrimination. We have long sought to empower people through the ballot box and continue to vigorously defend voting rights and help register voters. We also urge the citizens of Indiana to stand in solidarity against divisive measures and advocate for the preservation and advancement of equality in our state.