IPS needs more than shrunken boundaries

Dana Hubbard’s [Nov. 3] Viewpoint “Shrink Indianapolis Public Schools to Save It” regarding Unigov and the development of our city’s public school system overlooked the historic formation of the Metropolitan Assembly of School Boards in 1966.

The assembly was created after several individuals realized there was a need for county-wide education in certain subjects. IPS and all of the township school districts appointed representatives. The goal was to improve academic programs in all of the public school systems, including IPS. The assembly was forward-thinking and sought to create magnet programs in which students of all races would participate.

My father, Sol Blickman, was the first president. Richard Lugar was IPS’ first representative before his election as mayor in 1968.

A few years after making progress in developing programs, some township school districts raised concerns and the result was the abandonment of the assembly.

Had the assembly continued, IPS would have achieved economic stability and been better positioned to deliver a quality education. In addition, the Department of Justice action against Indianapolis in 1968 to force desegregation might not have been necessary.
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Michael Blickman