IPS board addresses video showing special needs student being beaten at school

INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time since it was made public, the Indianapolis Public Schools board addressed the disturbing video of a child beating up a special education student while the teacher filmed it.

The video was taken at IPS George Washington Carver Montessori School 87 and has led to a lawsuit, the teacher in question’s resignation and outrage from parents.

“You have been heard,” Board President Angelia Moore said. “Your voices are valid and ensuring our children’s safety is our most important job as adults.”

Moore addressed the video at the beginning of the meeting, saying their focus will be on preventing something like it from happening again.

“Every Indianapolis family should be able to send their kids to school with full confidence that caring adults are looking out for their wellbeing,” Moore said.

The family of the student is suing the district and accusing administrators of initially dismissing the allegations.

Moore said action has already been taken.

“IPS is reviewing protocols around how principals communicate with families and bringing on an external partner to interview families of that particular school,” Moore said.

She added that the board will create a task force focused on student safety.

However, there was no mention of why the district referred the case to the Department of Child Services to investigate instead of IPS police. IMPD has since opened an investigation into the beating at the request of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

“In the coming days weeks and months, we will be working hand in hand with Dr. Johnson and the members of the community to understand what changes must happen,” Moore said.

She told the attendees that the board would report back to the community about its progress surrounding this incident in 30 days.

However, there will likely be people demanding answers now when the board holds its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m. A spokesperson for the district said nearly 20 people had already signed up to speak during public comment.