Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch 3053 Reaffirms Commitment to Public Accountability and Educational Equity

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — October 21, 2025 — The Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch 3053 stands firmly aligned with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in reaffirming its unwavering commitment to public accountability, educational equity, and community representation in the governance of our nation’s schools.

National NAACP Position on Charter Schools

Since 2016, the NAACP has called for a moratorium on the expansion of privately managed charter schools, citing concerns about transparency, accountability, and equity. The resolution, which passed during the NAACP’s National Convention, emphasized that charter schools must operate under the same rigorous standards and public oversight as traditional public schools, particularly since they are funded with taxpayer dollars. 

NAACP leaders, including former President Cornell Brooks, have voiced concern that many charter schools are governed by appointed or privately selected boards rather than publicly elected bodies. This limits parental and community influence, undermining democratic accountability in education governance. “Publicly funded schools must be publicly accountable,” stated the national resolution. “Charter schools with privately appointed boards do not represent the public but make decisions about how public funds are spent.”

The NAACP’s position is rooted in its long-standing advocacy for equal access, racial equity, and the protection of civil rights in education. While recognizing that some charter schools achieve strong academic outcomes, the organization insists that all publicly funded schools must ensure transparency, fair admissions, equitable resources, and democratic governance.

Elected vs. Appointed School Boards: A Question of Representation and Accountability

The NAACP—both nationally and through its local branches—has expressed strong concerns over the use of appointed school boards. While the national body does not mandate one single governance model, it emphasizes that communities must have a meaningful voice in selecting those who govern their schools.

Across the country, NAACP branches have advocated for transitions from appointed boards to elected boards, arguing that educational governance should reflect the will of the people and not political or private interests.

• Virginia State NAACP: Advocated to replace appointed boards with elected ones in Hanover County, arguing that appointments limit community accountability.

• Duval County, Florida: The local NAACP opposed proposals to replace the elected school board with appointed members.

• Other chapters have taken similar positions, citing the loss of transparency and public trust.

These efforts are consistent with the NAACP’s history of advocating for representation, transparency, and racial equity. In many communities, appointed boards have historical roots in systems designed to exclude Black citizens from participation in public decision-making.

The Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch’s Position

The Greater Indianapolis NAACP joins the national organization in affirming that public schools must remain accountable to the public they serve. The Branch supports governance systems that uphold transparency, community representation, and equitable access for all children—values most fully realized when school boards are democratically elected by the people.

“Our children’s education must never be subject to unaccountable decision-making,” said Chrystal Ratcliffe, President of the Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch 3053. “When school boards are appointed rather than elected, the public loses its voice, and historically marginalized communities risk being silenced once again.”

As the Greater Indianapolis NAACP continues its advocacy in education, it remains committed to advancing policies that strengthen public education, ensure equitable funding, and elevate the voices of parents and communities in school governance.

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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.