Unique Arrangement For Catholic Schools Converted To Charter Schools

In Indianapolis, Indiana last Monday, officials approved the conversion of two Catholic elementary schools into taxpayer-supported charter schools. According to today's Louisville (KY) Courier-Journal, unlike similar conversions in New York City and Washington, D.C. (see prior postings 1, 2) where the charter schools were then operated by secular organizations, in Indianapolis they will be operated by ADI Charter Schools, Inc., a non-profit group organized by the Catholic archdiocese. The schools will end religious education classes during the school day and will remove or cover religious symbols and displays. They will teach a secular version of the character education program already in use. Bookkeeping for state funds will be done off-site.