INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Indiana Public Charter Schools
Association (IPCSA) has named Russ Simnick as president of the organization to
lead the growth, development and grassroots activities of the public charter
school movement throughout the state.
Simnick leaves Irvington Community High School (ICHS), an Indianapolis
charter school, to take the position. At ICHS, he served as a teacher and
administrator, working with parents, students, and staff on most every facet
of school design and operations. During his tenure, the school nearly tripled
its enrollment from its first to second year of operation, and nearly doubled
from year two to year three.
Along with education leadership, he brings to the association more than 15
years of public relations, legislative and grassroots experience gained at a
public relations agency, in the Indiana Senate and through political
campaigns.
Since Indiana passed legislation allowing charter schools in 2001, the
number has grown to 49 throughout the state, serving more than 11,000
students. Charter schools are public schools freed from certain regulations
governing traditional schools to foster innovation and high levels of academic
achievement. With this freedom comes accountability and their charters can be
revoked for poor performance.
Simnick said that while charter school growth has been steady since the
legislation was enacted, the charter movement can benefit from a focused
effort to bring its schools together and work cooperatively in certain areas.
"Public charter schools were created to be innovative and even
experimental in their approach to education," Simnick said. "This has led to
excellence in many schools in all parts of the state. But now is the perfect
time in the development of Hoosier public charter schools to begin to take
advantage of the benefits of speaking with a single voice."
He says the association will advocate for legislative positions widely
supported by public charter schools, help schools with enrollment by raising
public knowledge and visibility of charter schools and provide increased
member services and benefits. The association will also work to increase the
overall number of public charter schools in Indiana by helping groups
proposing schools to secure funding and obtain necessary support in the
planning stages.
David Holt, interim chair of the IPCSA board, believes Simnick's
qualifications make him an excellent choice, especially with his unique skill
set and past experience.
"We are excited to be able to provide our membership a leader who will be
positioned to effectively serve our schools from day one," Holt said. "We
believe an excellent public charter school system improves education by
providing opportunities for families and parents to receive a high quality
education. Russ will help IPCSA ensure the future success and growth of
Indiana charter schools."
Dr. Gwendolyn Griffith-Adell, IPCSA board member and principal of the Thea
Bowman Leadership Academy in Gary, added: "We have worked diligently to
provide the association with a leader who not only knows the situations
charter schools face but who has the vision and interest in making sure that
our schools continue to provide the best possible education for our children."
Simnick holds a bachelor's degree from Ball State University and master's
degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. He has received a "40 Under 40" honor
from the Indianapolis Business Journal and was named a Junior Achievement
"Best and Brightest" finalist for excellence in media.
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