Working session
Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township
Education
Wayne Township school board work session.
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Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Indianapolis - IN Documenters Team
Live reporting by
Liza Biles
Wayne Township school board work session.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy The working session is taking place at the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township Education Center, located at 1220 S. High School Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Board members include: Brandon Bowman, President, Susan Graves, Vice President, Karen Burke, Secretary, Raimeka Graham, Member, Michael Nance, Member, Cheri O'Day-Marcotte, Member, and Benjamin Wakefield, Member.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Working session was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:32 p.m.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy First on the agenda is "new business", the first topic being the Indy Gateway presentation.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Indy Gateway Inc. is dedicated to the stabilzation and rejuvenation of the west side of Indianapolis through community and economic development. You can find more information on Indy Gateway at htttp://indygateway.org
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Since 2017 and through 2024, Indy Gateway has increased the assessed value in Wayne Township by $1,781,800 through affordable housing builds and remodeling projects.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Additionally, Habtat for Humanity has increased the assessed value in Wayne Township by $2,009,800, added to the increase of value that Indy Gateway is responsible for equals a grand total of $3,791,600!
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Indy Gateway also brings awareness to infrastructure connectivity for projects such as the West Washington St. Reconstruction Project and the Blue Line Rapid Transit project. Blue Line should be finished in 2029.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Since 2015 Indy Gateway has invested $285,000 toward trail development and greenspaces.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Keeping Indianapolis Beautiful has provided support in the past for Indy Gateway, however Keeping Indianapolis Beautiful has lost funding so will probably not be able to continue to provide support.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy In progress is the Chapel Rock Trailhead coming this year, will provide access to the B&O Trail to Wayne residents!
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Indy Gateway works with Area 31 students, providing training and experience in housing construction.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy From 2015 - 2019 Wayne Township has donated a 5 year pledge of $10,000/year, also from 2020 - 2024 a 5 year pledge of $10,000/year and plan to renew that pledge for 2025 -2029.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Next on the agenda is the Wayne Township Education Foundation Presentation.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Lisa Baise, the executive director of the Wayne Township Education Foundation. along with Ben Bain, president of WTEF are doing the presentation.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy The Wayne Township Education Foundation Board has oversight over all financial and programmatic matters of the Wayne Township Education Foundation.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy You can find more information about the Wayne Township Education Foundation at wtef.wayne.k12.in.us
wtef.wayne.k12.in.us
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy The November 2024 Ben Davis Alumni Survey found that 87% would be interested in attending special events for the alumni.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy April 15 there will be a food insecurity movie screening and panel at CHC at 5:30 p.m.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Non discrimination and sexual harassment is the first policy discussed.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Next policy discussed is about Communicable Diseases and making language more clear.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Next is Participation of non-public and home schooled students and making the language more clear.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Next 2 policies is Student Residence Change and Exit Interviews for Early Student Withdrawal, and making the language more clear.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Dr. Jeffery Butts, Wayne Township superintendent said "we have to create an environment where students WANT to come to school".
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Student Conduct on School Buses is the next policy discussed and how parents are not allowed to board the buses, citing an incident in Warren Township.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Next policy is Student Homework and giving rationale as to why it is a good idea for students to have homework.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Supervision of Students is the next policy talked about and the language used.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Student Bicycle and Automobile Use is next and issues such as where to park a bicycle or paperwork needed to drive a car to school.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Next policy is Child Nutrition Programs and the language used. USDA should be spelled out United States Department of Agriculture. Vending machines should only include "smart snack" items.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Education Student Records is next, and how the language needs to be changed to "guidelines".
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Next policy is School Superintendent, and their right to close school during certain events or timelines.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Next policy is Employee Attendance, and basically making sure they get a doctors note.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Duties related to arrests and criminal charges is the next policy and making sure the school is notified if an employee is facing criminal charges.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Leave of Absence for Public Office is the next policy discussed and what is allowed or not allowed once one becomes partisan.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy The last board policy being discussed is Family Medical and Leave Act and the way it is presented.
@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Ben Davis just expelled the 2nd student of the school year. Ben Davis tries to offer alternative education through Wayne Prep rather that expulsion.
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Agency Information
Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township
See meeting notes for details
The Wayne Township Board of Education is composed of seven citizens elected at-large on a non-partisan ballot in the primary election of each even-numbered year. Board members set policies and have final authority over local school corporation matters.
Current Board members
- Brandon Bowman, president
- Susan Graves, vice president
- Karen Burke, secretary
- Raimeka Graham, member
- Michael Nance, member
- Cheri O’Day-Marcotte, member
- Benjamin Wakefield, member
Mirror Indy’s K-12 education reporter is Carley Lanich. Contact her for tips and story ideas on this agency at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org.
Large free parking lot available.
More from this agency
Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township
Monday, Dec. 8, 2025
6:30 p.m. EST