Broad Ripple Middle School (BRMS) opened this fall to much fanfare. A largely vacant building finally put back to use as a cornerstone of Indianapolis Public Schools’ (IPS) Rebuilding Stronger initiative. But reality soon collided with hopes and expectations, culminating in an uproar from staff and parents who say IPS administration failed to do what was needed to make sure the school was ready to open.

Rebuilding Stronger Background

First, a quick detour to set the context. IPS put their Rebuilding Stronger plan into motion almost two years ago. This Chalkbeat Indiana article from the time offers a strong overview. The broad strokes are that IPS closed a handful of schools, reconfigured grades so that schools are no longer K-8 but instead split into either elementary (K-5) or middle schools (6-8), and undertook major building improvements across the district funded by a $410 capital referendum. (They tabled the $400 operating referendum they said is necessary to fully implement the plan long-term but have said they will still need to secure an operating referendum by 2026.)

The plan included reopening Broad Ripple and T.C. Howe facilities as middle schools. This followed years of limited use after a round of high school closures swept through the district some years back. Before opening, Broad Ripple in particular needed major renovations and upgrades, which the district first put in motion nearly two years ago with promises to families about the top-notch facilities and academics they could expect in a revitalized Broad Ripple location come the 2024-25 school year.

Well, September came around and, over a month into the new school year, it was clear that what IPS promised families and what IPS delivered for families had almost nothing in common.

Three Quick Disclaimers

Disclaimer One. I have no firsthand experience with BRMS. I do not work there. I am not a parent of a child who goes there. But the kids and families in this school deserve what they were promised. The first month at BRMS also calls into question the efficacy of IPS’ Rebuilding Stronger initiative at large.

Disclaimer Two. Everything presented below was shared at the IPS board meeting on August 29 during public comment by BRMS educators and parents (the linked PDF is accessible from the IPS board docs platform). It is not speculation or rumor. I directly quote from those public comments. Improvements have likely been implemented since. Regardless, the school suffered the conditions described below for over a month at the start of this year. And it’s clear certain problems are not quick fixes. The chaos at BRMS has surely set in motion ripple effects that will have far-reaching consequences for staff, students, and families.

Disclaimer Three. Teachers and parents were universal in their remarks that BRMS administrators and educators are not to blame for what’s gone down. One teacher said: “Administration is doing their best, but we are drowning in disruptive behaviors…. We want so desperately for this school to work, but it feels as if IPS has failed to provide what was promised to families and staff, and it feels like they have turned away to let us deal with it, and hope that the community doesn’t notice, or care.” And a parent said: “While I want to give grace to BRMS staff, I feel that the lack of support from the IPS board, the superintendent, and the IPS administrative staff contributed to BRMS not being able to accomplish those tasks well.”

So What Happened at BRMS?

One of the lengthier, more comprehensive public comments comes from the BRMS PTSA (page 19 in the link above). Their concerns involve four areas: 1) Facilities, 2) Staffing, 3) Academics, and 4) Communication. These areas are touched on in almost every other public comment, so it’s a helpful framing device to look at the scope of the problem. What follows is a snapshot of firsthand accounts about the issues experienced at BRMS in the first month of the 2024-25 school year.

Facilities

“Classroom phones do not work. Classroom panic buttons do not operate correctly.” – Teacher

“Orchestra Room can’t hear the fire alarm…. What if there was a fire and they could not hear the alarm?” – Parent

“BRMS is still not safe for teachers and students. There is not an operational phone system, causing dozens of PA interruptions during the day…. Some staff do not have keys to their rooms.” – Teacher

“The hallway lighting is sporadic and the functioning lights have switches accessible to students.” – Teacher

“Internet connectivity issues persisted until IT resolved them overnight, which implies it could have been solved weeks prior.” – Teacher

“I would like to know why things at BRMS like athletics, which impacts only a select number of students, have been prioritized over ALL students having basics such as functioning lockers.” – Parent

“Lockers not operating, safety measures not in place, phones not working, in school incidents happening with no support for staff and students. But boy oh boy were we quick with a new football field and weight room. I think priorities are lacking.” – Parent

Staffing

“Our enrollment continues to grow and we are not properly staffed to take on students. I currently have a class of 42 students.” – Teacher

“We need more behavioral support staff. The building is not properly functioning and is not safe.” – Teacher

“You doubled the school size and you short staffed us.” – Parent (They are referring to BRMS enrolling nearly 900 students despite IPS’ original goal for its first year being 400-500.)

“There are over 800 students and one security officer. My daughter has seen fights on almost a daily basis.” – Parent

“We need more adults supporting behavior and smaller class sizes to meet the large range of student needs.” – Teacher

“Current positions unfilled, including math and science…. We implore the IPS board to provide additional resources to get these positions in core subjects filled immediately.” – BRMS PTSA

Academics

“IEPs were not distributed until the third week, and student ILPs were not received until the fourth week.” – Teacher

“Band students still have not been issued instruments.” – Parent

“We have to scrounge for bookcases and basic supplies while our sports teams have amazing uniforms.” – Teacher

“At least two teachers have gone on leave without substitutes, leaving students to ‘learn’ virtually.” – Parent

“Students are afraid to go to certain classes or the bathroom due to the constant fighting and lack of control.” – Teacher

“I know my children are not learning because they are spending their days fearful for their safety.” – Parent

“The goal was to create a more equitable learning environment for all students, yet the outcome has been a decline in the quality of education for everyone.” – Parent

Communication

“Toddle is not up and running for grading and parent communication.” – Teacher 

“The recent school threat was evidence of lacking communication and major safety concerns.” – Parent

“Parents need to be able to get information in a timely manner, especially when it pertains to a complete overhaul like what is being suggested for Algebra 1 and 8^th grade math classes.” – Parent

“I have reached out to the school’s leadership on multiple occasions with no response. I gave this a chance. It isn’t working. I feel desperate to find an alternative to Broad Ripple for my child.” – Parent

Two Closing Words From Parents

That this has been allowed to happen is a scandal. The students, families, and educators who depend on a functioning district deserve better. IPS doesn’t need to take my word for it, though. They just need to listen to their parents.

“We all want this to succeed, but not at the expense of my children’s education.” – Parent

“How can BRMS parents and teachers be expected to support this initiative if IPS cannot deliver on the most basic things one should expect from a school?” – Parent