INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public Schools has started the next phase of its Rebuilding Stronger plan.
Last year, voters approved a $410 million referendum to upgrade schools in the district, and student athletics are next up.
IPS broke ground on upgrades at Broad Ripple Middle School Tuesday, one of six schools getting these upgrades. They will include a new turf softball practice field, a new turf football field and a resurfaced track.
Arlington, Howe, Longfellow, Harshman and Northwest middle schools will also get upgrades. In total, more than 20 schools will get some kind of upgrade through the program.
IPS asked for a $410 million capital referendum on last May's ballot as part of its Rebuilding Stronger plan.
The IPS board of commissioners voted unanimously last December to approve a resolution to put the referendum on the ballot.
That measure passed, with 59% of voters supporting the referendum.
The average homeowner would see a $3 monthly increase under the referendum.
"I am so grateful to the community for their generous support of our students, our staff, and our schools. Their support of our capital referendum means IPS can Rebuild Stronger and immediately get to work on projects across more than 20 schools — from design to construction starting this year — so that every student who walks through our buildings feels valued and loved, knowing that something joyful and important happens inside those walls," IPS Supt. Dr. Aleesia Johnson said in a statement.