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IPS Board votes to delay start of school by 2 weeks

The 2020-21 academic year will now begin August 17.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners voted at its annual retreat Saturday to delay the start of school by two weeks until Monday, Aug. 17.

“As I’ve acknowledged all along, this is a fluid situation and we will remain flexible,” said IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson on the district's blog. “My job as superintendent is to look at all of the data from state and local health and government officials to make the best decision for our students and staff about the new school year.  The decision to delay the opening of school by two weeks gives our community more time to ensure we are turning the tide on the number of positive COVID-19 cases and confirm we are doing the right thing.”

The delay also includes all athletic programming. 

The district's current plan remains in place to provide both in-person learning and full-time remote learning options for families. 

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The delay will also give families more time to decide which learning option will work best for their child.

Superintendent Johnson said the district is prepared to go completely virtual if needed for safety reasons. 

As of Saturday morning, about 8,500 students enrolled in the remote learning option, which is about 25 percent of the whole student population. 

The district says it is anticipating some shifts in the upcoming academic calendar due to the delayed start.

For more information on IPS' back-to-school plan, click here

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