If we want Indianapolis to attract and keep families, strengthen its neighborhoods and draw new employers, raising the bar for our schools must be our highest priority. The success of Indianapolis Public Schools and its students is everybody’s business: the City-County Council, the Chamber of Commerce, teachers, parents, and, most of all, students. It is clear that every single resident of Marion County has a stake in the success of IPS.

The good news is this: The community understands the critical importance of the K-12 education discussion and is taking notice of the ideas being proposed.

The council recently approved a new deputy mayor of education position and confirmed Jason Kloth for the job. The Mind Trust sparked a community conversation about improving IPS with the release of its December report, “Creating Opportunity Schools.” And IPS responded last month with its own report.

Both plans warrant discussion, and other ideas from all perspectives should also be welcomed to the table.

It’s time to really engage in a community conversation focused on what ideas will and won’t work for our city and our students. Under the leadership of President Maggie Lewis, the council is doing its part. Earlier this year the Community Affairs Committee heard the details of The Mind Trust’s plan. On May 17, we will hear the details on IPS Superintendent Eugene White’s plan in a public meeting.

Maybe you have an idea for how to improve IPS. Now is the time to speak up — and to listen. We encourage you to join us at 6 p.m. May 17 at 120 E. Walnut St. to add your voice to the discussion.

We need all voices at the table. If we don’t find solutions for IPS, our city — and all of our futures — are at risk.

John Barth

Jeff Miller

City-County Council members

As published in the Indianapolis Star on October 26, 2011:

City government shouldn’t think just about helping neighborhoods, says Democratic candidate John Barth. It also should tap into their power.

An active member and former president of the Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association, Barth tells of a successful effort to remove parking meters from the 38th and Illinois streets area a few years ago, based on neighborhood association canvassing of merchants who said the machines hurt business.

As a civic activist and as a political candidate, Barth has continued knocking on the doors of residents and city officials alike. Recently, he helped lead a remonstrance that persuaded the city and the Army Corps of Engineers to rethink a controversial flood wall project along the Central Canal.

A health-care compliance executive with deep family roots in the city, he stresses education, jobs and economic development as well as neighborhood attention. He says the mayor’s office and City-County Council need to broaden their vision in areas such as mass transit and long-term financing of infrastructure, and declares that the community will buy in if it is honestly informed as to costs and benefits.

Barth is his own best example of an informed and involved resident. His elevation to the council would make it more responsive to both big ideas and block-level concerns.

Here is the article, in PDF: BarthCampaignArticle