{"id":2213,"date":"2025-06-30T18:48:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T18:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stand.org\/indiana\/?p=2213"},"modified":"2025-06-30T18:49:01","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T18:49:01","slug":"community-voices-advocates-call-for-action-at-ilea-public-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stand.org\/indiana\/our-stories\/community-voices-advocates-call-for-action-at-ilea-public-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Voices: advocates call for action at ILEA public hearing\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>At the June 25th public hearing of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), parents, educators, and community members came together with a unified message: \u202f<strong>every child in Indianapolis deserves access to a high-quality education\u2014regardless of their background, ZIP code, or school type<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bony-georges-every-student-deserves-to-be-seen-and-supported-nbsp\"><strong>Bony Georges: \u201cEvery student deserves to be seen\u2014and supported.\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>IPS teacher Bony Georges opened with a moving story of an eighth-grade student who took three buses and walked 25 minutes just to attend school. Despite his determination and academic promise, systemic barriers like unreliable transportation often stood in his way. Bony urged the committee to adopt a more comprehensive approach that supports students beyond the classroom and learns from both charter and traditional schools that are closing the achievement gap.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed alignwide is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bony speaks at the ILEA meeting | June 25, 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/y7diyrFMtpM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item\"><details><summary class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__title\">Read my full speech: <\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__content\">\n<p>Good evening ILEA members,&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My name is Bony Georges, and I\u2019m a teacher at an IPS school. I\u2019m here because I care deeply about the future of our most underserved students\u2014the ones I see every day in my classroom.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In many of these communities, the achievement gap is wide.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last year, I had an 8th-grade student who lived far from school. He took three public buses and walked 25 minutes just to get to class. He was only 13. His mom didn\u2019t have a driver\u2019s license, and he didn\u2019t live with his father. But he had a dream\u2014he wanted to be an engineer. He was one of my top students, but he missed school when transportation failed or the weather was bad.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I saw him. I supported him. But I\u2019m not sure the system did.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many students like him\u2014bright, motivated, full of potential\u2014but held back by barriers beyond their control.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We need a more comprehensive approach\u2014one that supports students beyond the classroom. We also need to learn from schools \u2013 charter and traditional &#8212; that are closing these gaps.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please consider the achievement gap when creating solutions for all public school types in Indianapolis. Every student deserves to be seen\u2014and supported.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-swantella-nelson-all-kids-can-learn-nbsp\"><strong>Swantella Nelson: \u201cAll kids can learn.\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Swantella, a parent, educator, and tutor, emphasized that the type of school matters less than whether it meets a child\u2019s needs. She called for\u202f<strong>smart collaboration between IPS and charter schools<\/strong>, urging the committee to focus on what works for students rather than getting caught in divisive debates. Her message was clear: accountability and unity can drive real progress.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed alignwide is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Swantella speaks at the  ILEA meeting | June 25, 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X4zleq1HBRs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item\"><details><summary class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__title\">Read my full speech: <\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__content\">\n<p>Hello ILEA members.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My name is Swantella Nelson. \u202fI am a public school parent and I have sent my children to both IPS and charter schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I say this because the type of school my children attend has never been more important than ensuring they get what they need from their education setting \u2013 a school that meets them where they are. I represent thousands of parents who love and support IPS and also see value in what\u2019s offered by quality charter schools in our community.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a parent educator and a tutor, I know it takes a lot to alter your lessons to ensure they are engaging for all your students. I know it can be a battle to keep students engaged through short attention spans. But at the end of the day, each student is capable and<strong> what I know above all else is that all kids can learn.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a mom, I want to see our schools be accountable and I want smart collaboration between IPS and the charter sectors. I am really hopeful about this committee and I believe if the focus is what\u2019s best for students \u2013 and not on the charter vs. IPS debate \u2013 then we can support a strategy that expands opportunity and grows school models that are working. Because our kids all deserve the kind of bright future that stems from an amazing education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dontia-dyson-school-choice-only-works-if-families-can-get-there-nbsp\"><strong>Dontia Dyson: \u201cSchool choice only works if families can get there.\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As a father of four, Dontia highlighted the critical role of transportation in making school choice meaningful. Without reliable transit or a driver\u2019s license, many families are forced to choose schools based on access\u2014not quality. He called on ILEA to use data and ensure that all students\u2014especially students of color\u2014have access to great schools, teachers, and opportunities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed alignwide is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dontia speaks at the  ILEA meeting | June 25, 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8LydBHEsvT4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item\"><details><summary class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__title\">Read my full speech: <\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__content\">\n<p>Hello ILEA members,&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My name is Dontia Dyson. I\u2019m a proud father with two boys who\u2019ve experienced a range of public schools in the IPS district\u2014from traditional to innovation schools. My daughters have also been in the district in the past. Next year, both of my sons will be attending Matchbook School 63.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m here today because I believe this group has a real opportunity to make public education in Indianapolis stronger. That means tackling transportation challenges, using data to guide school choices, and ensuring every child has access to great buildings, great teachers, and great opportunities\u2014no matter what type of public school they attend.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a dad, I\u2019ve spent years advocating within IPS because I want to see schools held accountable. I want to see the district make smart decisions about which schools to grow\u2014based on which ones are truly closing the opportunity gap and delivering a high-quality education for our students of color.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve also spoken up because I know firsthand how critical transportation is. Like many parents, I\u2019ve had to choose schools based on whether they could get my kids there.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>School choice is a powerful promise\u2014but it only works for the kids who can actually get to the schools that are right for them. As someone who doesn\u2019t currently have a driver\u2019s license, I know just how important transportation is to making that promise real.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for the work you\u2019re doing. I truly hope this group hears parents like me and can bring together all sectors to create real, lasting and positive change for every public school student in our city.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ada-lemus-don-t-let-transportation-erase-our-progress-nbsp\"><strong>Ada Lemus: \u201cDon\u2019t let transportation erase our progress.\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Ada, a mother of two, shared how her son Cristian\u2019s academic progress\u2014thanks to a new IEP\u2014could be undone if transportation is cut. Without a car, she fears he\u2019ll have to transfer schools and lose the support he\u2019s finally receiving. She urged IPS and charter leaders to work together to improve transportation so families aren\u2019t forced to settle for what\u2019s closest instead of what\u2019s best.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed alignwide is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ada speaks at the ILEA meeting | June 25, 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c0XMIOCCI4k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item\"><details><summary class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__title\">Read my full speech: <\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__content\">\n<p>Good evening. My name is Ada Lemus, and I\u2019m a proud mom of two\u2014here to speak for my son Cristian and other families like ours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cristian is going into 7th grade at Edison School of the Arts. He\u2019s smart, hardworking, and recently got an IEP that\u2019s helping him catch up in reading. But that progress is fragile. If transportation gets taken away, I won\u2019t have a way to get him to school\u2014and he\u2019ll have to transfer, losing everything he\u2019s worked for.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our family relies heavily on school transportation. If we had more options, I would have sent Cristian to a school that could have supported him earlier\u2014but we didn\u2019t have that choice. Without a car and reliable transit, we\u2019re forced to settle for what\u2019s closest\u2014not what\u2019s best.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m here because I believe IPS and public charter schools need to work together to improve transportation. Every child deserves access to the school that helps them thrive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-vilma-esperanza-hernandez-that-s-not-choice-that-s-survival-nbsp\"><strong>Vilma Esperanza Hernandez: \u201cThat\u2019s not choice. That\u2019s survival.\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Vilma spoke passionately about the inequities families face when access to quality schools depends on bus routes. She called for\u202f<strong>collaboration between IPS, the city, and the mayor\u2019s office<\/strong>\u202fto ensure all families\u2014not just a lucky few\u2014can reach schools where students of color are thriving. She also emphasized the need to invest in school facilities and scale successful models.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed alignwide is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Vilma speaks at the ILEA meeting | June 25, 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VjYjlBj-okc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item\"><details><summary class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__title\">Read my full speech: <\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__content\">\n<p>Good evening. My name is Vilma Esperanza Hernandez, and I\u2019m here as a parent who simply wants what every parent wants: a fair shot for our kids\u2014regardless of ZIP code or background.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve seen schools where students of color are thriving\u2014where educators go above and beyond, and kids are learning with joy and purpose. But sadly, those schools are still too few. And access to them is even harder.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My family, like many others, has had to make school decisions based on where the bus could take us\u2014not what school is best for our children. That\u2019s not true choice. That\u2019s survival.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We need leaders to work together\u2014IPS, the city, and the mayor\u2014to make sure families can actually get to the schools that are working. We also need to invest in fixing school buildings and scaling what\u2019s already helping kids succeed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every child deserves that opportunity\u2014not just a lucky few.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-shared-vision-for-change-nbsp\"><strong>A Shared Vision for Change<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Each speaker brought a unique perspective, but their message was united:\u202f<strong>Indianapolis must prioritize access, collaboration and quality schools that close the opportunity gap<\/strong>. Whether through better transportation, smarter school growth strategies, or cross-sector partnerships, the path forward must center on what\u2019s best for students.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At the June 25th public hearing of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA), parents, educators, and community members came together with a unified message: \u202fevery child in Indianapolis deserves access to a high-quality education\u2014regardless of their background, ZIP code, or school type.\u00a0 Bony Georges: \u201cEvery student deserves to be seen\u2014and supported.\u201d&nbsp; IPS teacher Bony Georges [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":2215,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","color_schema":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ilea","category-parent-family-engagement"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Community Voices: advocates call for action at ILEA public hearing\u00a0 - Stand for Children Indiana<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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