Attorney General Todd Rokita is appealing Marion County court ruling in continued defense of state law and school choice

Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a Motion for Stay of the trial court’s ruling and will soon file a Notice of Appeal with the Indiana Court of Appeals to challenge a Marion County court ruling that exempts Indianapolis Public Schools from a state law requiring districts to sell shuttered buildings to charter schools for $1.

Any interested purchaser from IPS should take heed that until the appeals are exhausted and the litigation concluded, IPS will not be able, in good faith, to sell or transfer the buildings in dispute. Attorney General Rokita hopes that the trial court grants the stay, so that it is clear to IPS that further action by it is prohibited.

“The General Assembly enacted this law to help enable charter schools to thrive in our state,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We will continue our fight to uphold the law not only because it is our statutory duty but also because it’s the right thing to do. Charter schools provide a multitude of positive opportunities for children and give Hoosier parents greater choice in how their kids are educated.” 

This year, the legislature strengthened previously existing law by passing Senate Enrolled Act 391, which clarified aspects that critics had called ambiguous.

Charter schools, though publicly funded, operate with fewer of the constraints that have sometimes hindered innovation and performance at traditional public schools.

Attorney General Rokita said IPS should be held to the letter and spirit of the state’s law.

“Like every case, we take it head on and do not back down,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We truly believe in parental rights, so we plan to file an appeal as soon as possible.”