The Planning Department compiles and analyzes a variety of data within the school corporation.  This information is used to assist the administration in decision making and planning.

The department is responsible for designing, compiling and analyzing data and developing recommendations for major school consolidation efforts.  As a result of these recommendations and at the Superintendent’s direction, the department uses GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to create new or adjusted school boundaries, compile student data, create maps and complete recommendations to the Board of School Commissioners.  Boundaries are also created/revised for Summer School, the ESL (English as a Second Language) program and Option Schools, after analyzing current boundaries, previous enrollment and projected enrollment.  New boundaries created by Planning are recreated in Edulog for use by the IT Department and Transportation.       

The Planning Department develops five and ten-year enrollment projections for the district by grade.  These projections are used to prepare by school, by grade projections for use by the Superintendent for staffing.  These projections are also used by other departments for scheduling, room utilization and textbook ordering.

The department creates School Board electoral districts using GIS.   After the School Board approves of the districts, they are reviewed by the Indiana DOE for approval.

The Planning Department requests, compiles and analyzes elementary room utilization reports.  With this information the department assists other departments in placing new programs or locating additional room for programs such as ESL.   

This department consults with principals and/or parents to determine school-crossing guard needs and works with Indianapolis Police Department (IPD) in recruiting guards and requesting additional guard locations.  The department provides IPD with school schedule information and calendars.

Planning develops official IPS School Calendars at the request of the Superintendent. 

Planning reviews new subdivision plats filed with the City.  This information is interpreted to determine impact of housing development on enrollment and is shared with Transportation. The department also receives and reviews all public hearing notices related to rezonings, variances, use approval petitions, street vacations and liquor license applications.  Any response or remonstrance on IPS’s behalf is coordinated by the Planning Department with the Chief of Facilities Management, the Superintendent and other departments such as Transportation and the Business Department.  These responses could require preparing petitions, gathering supporting documentation, preparing notarized affidavits and representing IPS at public hearings before the Metropolitan Development Commission and/or their Public Hearing Officer.  The department also assists Purchasing and other departments by providing parcel numbers, site maps and aerial photos of various locations in the City.  Technical assistance is provided to principals for special projects beyond the realm of the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) by guiding them through local approval processes for items such as signs, playgrounds and other site improvements.

The Planning Department compiles budget information received from the Chief of Facilities Management and the Business Manager to provide a complete Capital Projects Fund document to present to the Superintendent, the State and the Board.  This document also contains information about each school building, its projected enrollment, programs, grade levels and previous enrollment as requested by the State DOE.  Each spring the Planning Department gathers updated building evaluations from the Foremen and compiles the information to be entered in the CPF.

The department compiles demographic information for the district and sub-areas within IPS, at the request of the Superintendent, the Board or other departments.  This information is retrieved using GIS, the student database and census information.  Enrollment reports, charts and graphs are completed using this information.      

The department responds to requests for information from the Superintendent, Board, other IPS departments and the general public.  The extent and nature of requests varies widely.   

The Planning Supervisor serves on a variety of committees as appointed by the Chief of Facilities Management or the Superintendent and often serves as a liaison with the City and other governmental agencies.  She/he also serves on the Superintendent's Cabinet and many committees within IPS.  Examples include the Summer School Planning Committee and the Opening of Schools Committee. 

Tricia Frye, Planning Supervisor

Phone 226-4554

Russell McClure, Planning Analyst

Phone 226-4552

Debbie Baker, Administrative Assistant

Phone 226-4511