[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6652095,"mediaKeyId","2494302-54e482e0cb62592cdd956c5a34ea877f","parentId",2494302,"title","Wayne Township outlines literacy, staffing and professional-development plan as part of goal to reach grade-level reading by 2030","audioSeconds",326,"startMs",109315,"endMs",435589,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2494302-54e482e0cb62592cdd956c5a34ea877f&start=109&end=435","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2494302-54e482e0cb62592cdd956c5a34ea877f/thumbnail_109315.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6652095/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Wayne-Township-outlines-literacy-staffing-and-professional-development-plan-as-part-of-goal-to-reach-grade-level-reading-by-2030","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652095-4af25b856f51601f1c934f54e5041887/orig.mp4?Expires=1771209900&Signature=kw8EfM5cDU3s-QZEH5r8yCXMSz5lOJnS66CCHrWFGF2rev5Wm8OUYx2BUW78Dw0AGN4c17yPgeDmI40cQ0drpfErpmuMMCKF8cnWwujVi01VnvoVG1B0OSTJJk9GIFqRjj-spimIpkDojfkONtykXEf8Q20y2S1fezlKuVVguAonC2PzrRgpBu0f-lZUvjjQlYMZSk6-zBIJuc5E-uz8wqwcWr84rHKd03T74Z-WfXLsLZQN1xthqhGCCfNHu66O6avAsgMvFwDTSXlJxRalSj0bLIlvdXkhkPqxxgTOqVqM8jp3stmh4jW96JHCYqjNTecfKd64nQHMD1WHs2nWpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Indianapolis, IN","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Chairman Keith Graves convened the Indianapolis City–County Council Education Committee hearing and said he has made it “my mission … to ensure that every student in Indianapolis reaches grade level reading proficiency by 2030.”

Dr. Jeff Butts, superintendent of MSD of Wayne Township, told the committee March 4 that Wayne Township is pursuing a citywide push on literacy as part of a broader strategic plan that emphasizes reconceptualizing teaching and learning, increasing student belonging and recruiting and retaining staff.

Why it matters: Council members framed tonight’s hearing as an information‑gathering session about what is working in local schools and where the council might supplement efforts. Third‑grade reading proficiency carries policy consequences at the state level; committee members pressed district leaders on IREAD‑3 performance, preschool access and teacher turnover as potential leverage points.

Most important facts

- District goal and context: Chairman Keith Graves said the committee’s objective is that “every student in Indianapolis reaches grade level reading proficiency by 2030.” Dr. Butts described Wayne’s strategic planning process, which included feedback from more than 8,325 constituents and nearly 11,000 students.

- Demographics and size: Dr. Butts said Wayne Township employs just under 2,300 staff and serves 22 schools and programs. He said the district’s current enrollment is 15,810 and that Wayne represents students from 90 countries and 83 languages. Dr. Danita Harris (introduced as assistant superintendent for exceptional learners) said multilingual learners represent roughly 38% of the district’s students; Wayne also reported 71% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, 15% are identified as special education students and about 10% are identified as high‑ability learners.

- Literacy work and results: Dr. Heather Pierce, assistant superintendent for elementary education, described this year’s districtwide literacy action research, a literacy cadre partnership with the University of Indianapolis, expanded reading interventionists and an after‑school high‑dosage tutoring program with transportation and snacks provided. Dr. Butts said the district’s IREAD‑3 first‑pass proficiency was 66% last year; he said early data from this year indicate a higher first‑pass rate and that the Indiana Department of Education recently allowed an additional end‑of‑year retest before summer school.

- Professional development changes: Dr. Elizabeth Walters and other leaders described a new schedule for 2025–26 that will include four full‑day districtwide professional‑learning days (September, November, February and May) and a two‑hour late start every Monday to give teachers regular collaborative time. Walters said the Monday late start will run as a two‑hour delay in bell schedule (students still attend school, arriving two hours later) and that breakfast, lunch and transportation remain available.

- Teacher recruitment and retention: Dr. Shania Suggs, assistant superintendent for human resources, and other leaders said Wayne typically hires 80–100 teachers a year, that the district hosted 35 student teachers recently and offered 28 contracts, and that the district’s certified‑staff turnover has ranged from about 6.5% (low) to 13% (high). Wayne’s current turnover rate was reported as 11%. Leaders said stay interviews with more than 200 staff helped identify retention drivers, including work environment and support, not just pay.

- Early childhood: The district operates a centralized preschool and a Title I pre‑K and reported the centralized preschool currently serves “about 450, almost 500” children; Wayne said it is adding eight classrooms to open in July to expand capacity. Leaders said the district currently supplements preschool with more than $1 million from the general fund because preschool is not fully funded through regular K–12 revenue streams.

- Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity: Dr. Butts and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Tony Harvey said Wayne is piloting AI platforms (secondary and elementary pilots named in testimony) as a closed/controlled partner for teachers and students to provide feedback and data analysis. Harvey outlined cybersecurity measures: devices are proxied when used offsite, the district uses E‑Rate funding for access points and has secured a federal cybersecurity pilot grant. He said intrusion detection and prevention systems are in place and that the district works to “front load” protections.

- Philanthropy and training: Dr. Butts described participation in Lilly‑funded initiatives in Marion County. Wayne submitted a Phase 2 proposal and, with a district match, intends to use Lilly funds to support administrator and teacher professional learning. Dr. Butts said the district plans to send 150 administrators to the National Institute for School Leadership and train 840 teachers through a multi‑year teaching‑for‑effective‑learning action research program; he emphasized the district’s goal of sustaining instructional capacity beyond one‑time program dollars.

Committee questions and context

Council members pressed for details on third‑grade performance, pre‑K access and the board’s authority over funding. Dr. Butts and staff stressed that state funding formulas and legislative decisions are set at the statehouse, not by the city council, but welcomed local council support where feasible. Committee members also asked for follow‑up on how the Monday late‑start schedule and other changes affect families and workforce logistics.

Ending: Dr. Butts invited council members to visit Wayne Township schools in person to see programs and facilities.

Sources and attributions

All reporting above is drawn from the Education Committee presentation and Q&A on March 4, 2025. Direct quotes are attributed to speakers in the committee record, including Chairman Keith Graves and Dr. Jeff Butts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council of Indianapolis, IN - Education Committee - Mar 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chairman Keith Graves convened the Indianapolis City–County Council Education Committee hearing and said he has made it “my mission … to ensure that every student in Indianapolis reaches grade level reading proficiency by 2030.”","taxTitle","Indianapolis City, Marion County, Indiana","taxId",3627,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652091,"Wayne Township highlights solar arrays, batteries and propane buses as school district energy savings",450,2457275,2908120,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2494302-54e482e0cb62592cdd956c5a34ea877f&start=2457&end=2908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2494302-54e482e0cb62592cdd956c5a34ea877f/thumbnail_2457275.jpg","/articles/6652091/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Wayne-Township-highlights-solar-arrays-batteries-and-propane-buses-as-school-district-energy-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652091-969953670e72b8f481d0ad320b265988/orig.mp4?Expires=1771209900&Signature=knbI2GdVjgxWxx8y~P1vhsVg8iaWiIb5mGcOwATzS37mEo-pNUsNtmd2Rt-JgnRmJtf7VCkLrjOfk8VP69ihJA9Zuvob3MUJCWH~36mjehP8Mgp9qwbeqVy3vKetdd-MjkJhnJaAcXWgyAxanEZhtJyeijdiJ4v1m9Kv6Krg1WDlhhAoVDGIuaCE0516-6Au9LZBHLncLro7N1ndWvo7t7Q~knw6BVmunM59TezHHIRj7VsKzggghTXv7Ihzx0ZFggQPF2e10YRNng47Ks6MeM-jKqzw7BTwP7fMgFHW5Xig14heHvSzSubKniKFRIkwqp1f6KFV7RTrjN8DS3qL6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steve Samuel, assistant superintendent for finance and operations for MSD of Wayne Township, told the Indianapolis City–County Council Education Committee March 4 that the district has pursued multiple energy‑savings projects to reduce operating costs and preserve classroom dollars.

Why it matters: Wayne leaders said energy price increases and property tax caps have put pressure on district operating revenue; the district told the committee that energy projects are a way to reduce recurring utility costs and protect instructional spending.

Most important facts

- Solar and batteries: Samuel said the district’s solar array behind Ben Davis High School “powers most of Ben Davis High School on a given day.” He said batteries are installed “at 9 sites now” and are used to smooth peak demand and avoid higher monthly electricity rates tied to peak usage.

- Fleet and fuel: The district reported that all 92 daily bus routes this year are powered by propane, which the district said costs less than diesel and reduces maintenance burdens. Samuel said two electric buses had been planned but were delayed by funding timing; the district has obtained a federal grant to offset higher purchase prices for two electric buses so they could be tested.

- Guaranteed energy‑savings contract and monitoring: Wayne has a guaranteed energy‑savings agreement with a vendor (presented as Verigee in testimony) and uses an energy dashboard to monitor usage and performance.

- Savings reported: Samuel told the committee the district has saved about $4 million to date from energy initiatives and is currently saving roughly $1.5 million per year; those savings are being redirected to classroom priorities.

Details and context

Samuel and other presenters described a suite of measures: rooftop and canopy solar, LED fixture replacements, variable‑speed controls, improved chillers and boilers, occupancy sensors and software to track usage. The district also built solar canopies to net‑meter several buildings where roof space alone was insufficient.

Samuel stressed the district’s motivation: growing electricity rates (presenters said local rates have risen roughly 70% over the last 10 years) and the fiscal impact of property tax caps on district operating revenue. He said energy projects were driven initially by student groups (the Area 31 Career Center Green Giants) and by the district’s desire to avoid sending more dollars to utilities and instead fund staff and programs.

Ending: Samuel invited committee members to review a district video and visit the transportation center once projects (including canopied solar at the transportation facility) come online in late spring.

Sources and attributions

All reporting above is drawn from the departmental presentation to the Education Committee on March 4, 2025. Quotes and figures are attributed to Steve Samuel and other district presenters in committee testimony.","MSD of Wayne Township told the City–County Council Education Committee it has installed solar and battery systems at multiple sites, replaced lighting and controls, and moved its 92 daily bus routes to propane, reporting roughly $4 million in energy savings to date.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wayne Township outlines literacy, staffing and professional-development plan as part of goal to reach grade-level reading by 2030

Wayne Township highlights solar arrays, batteries and propane buses as school district energy savings