Decision On Broad Ripple Property Expected Mid-2018

(Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Public Schools)

The Broad Ripple Village Association surveyed residents and local business owners about possibilities for re-using the closing Broad Ripple High School. Longtime resident and board member of the association Gary Price says the reuse needs to be community-driven.

“It’d be nice to have a community element built into it. Something like a community hall or a community meeting place,” Price says.

The IPS Board voted to close Broad Ripple and the other schools in September as part of a facility and curriculum rehaul they say will lead to improved academic offerings. The board also approved the start of the disposition process of Broad Ripple and John Marshall Middle School through sale or lease.

Indianapolis Public Schools spokesperson Carrie Cline Black says all options for the property are on table, but no decision will be made this school year.

“Our IPS Board of School Commissioners will not vote on the sale of the Broad Ripple property before the end of the school year, so we will not be making any decision on that property until mid-year 2018,” Black says.

Black says IPS will factor community input into its decision. The Broad Ripple Village Association survey cites more than 86 percent of respondents favor a community-driven purpose for the property.

In September, Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) called for Broad Ripple to become a charter school or some other education offering.