Dear Marion County Public School Families,

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families and communities as we have

been planning for a safe return to school. The Marion County public school corporations

have been meeting weekly with the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) as

we prepare for the 2020 - 2021 school year. We know that Governor Holcomb’s Executive

Order allows schools in Indiana to open July 1. In addition, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett

and MCPHD Director Dr. Virginia Caine anticipate that Marion County will be in Stage 5 in

mid-July based on the current data. And, the Indiana Department of Education, in

conjunction with the Indiana Department of Health and the Indiana Family and Social

Services Agency recently released guidance for the reopening of Indiana schools in their

IN-CLASS report.

Marion County Public Schools have united to stand in solidarity with our communities to build a more just and compassionate world, to abolish racism, value social justice, and respect human dignity. The MSD of Pike Township is committed to equity, as stated in the Human Dignity Policy and through the work of the Equity Council. These are not isolated efforts, as we know this is ongoing work to create the change needed, and we look forward to working together.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Message from the Superintendent:

At our school board meeting on Thursday, January 9th, I shared my concerns about the Indiana Department of Education’s current process for determining graduation rates. Additionally, I asserted my belief that the graduation rate that was publicized for Pike High School was inaccurate. As the Superintendent of Schools, I am unwilling to allow a flawed system to impact our high school, our district, and most importantly, our community.

There are several factors outside of our control that impact our graduation rate. For example, if a student withdraws from Pike High School and moves to another country, that student will be counted as a drop out unless we receive a transcript request. Our exceptional learners are counted as drop outs after 4 years even though we provide services until they are 22 years old. I was particularly frustrated by a situation we encountered this year, when students who left Pike High School to participate in another accredited opportunity such as Job Corp were considered drop outs and counted against our 2019 graduation rate even though we could prove they received an Indiana Diploma.