A new city agency now has power over both Indianapolis Public Schools and most of the city's charter schools. On July 22, 2026, its board chose a charter school veteran to lead it. The nine-member board voted to approve Karega Rausch as the first executive director of the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, or IPEC. The vote was unanimous. Chalkbeat and WFYI both reported the news.
Rausch's hiring tips the board's balance of experience further toward charter schools, Chalkbeat reported. WFYI reported that most board members have charter ties. Four are charter school leaders. The board chair founded The Mind Trust, WFYI reported. That nonprofit works to grow the city's charter sector. WFYI also reported that some supporters of traditional public schools have taken issue with this heavy charter influence on the board.
Rausch answered by pointing to his past work with IPS. WFYI reported that he worked with the district under former Superintendent Eugene White. He led the "What's Possible" initiative. WFYI reported that this effort led IPS to set aside money for preschool for the first time. Rausch also called himself a bridge builder. "I've sought to listen carefully, communicate clearly, and build consensus around meaningful outcomes for kids and families," he said, according to both outlets.
The board will lead big changes for IPS and most city charter schools, according to WFYI. These include transportation, building decisions, and a new accountability system. Chalkbeat reported that the system will judge schools on academic results, student growth, enrollment, and finance and governance. It will not give schools one overall score. Board member Edward Rangel said that choice partly avoids confusion with the state's new system. Rangel led the group writing the framework. He said IPEC will not decide whether a school stays open. "A school's existence is not our discretion," he said. "Resource allocation does lie with IPEC." Chalkbeat reported that the framework would let IPEC reassign buildings that are under-enrolled. HEA 1423 is the law that created IPEC. Chalkbeat reported that this law lets IPEC appeal to the State Board of Education if an operator refuses to close a low-performing school.
Rausch has spent the last decade as president and CEO of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. WFYI reported that he plans to leave that job and work for IPEC full time. Earlier, he led the Indianapolis mayor's charter school office from 2007 to 2011, WFYI reported. He also chaired the Indiana Charter School Board. He was the Indianapolis director for Stand for Children, an education advocacy nonprofit, WFYI reported.
Mayor Joe Hogsett recommended Rausch. WFYI reported that Hogsett interviewed each finalist and then chose him. Hogsett said in a statement, "This leadership decision brings exactly the combination of local commitment, national expertise, and operational discipline that this moment demands." Rausch was chosen from a pool of 36 applicants and a list of six finalists. WFYI reported that the finalists included two current IPS administrators and IPS school board member Deandra Thompson, who also sits on IPEC.
Several dates are set. Chalkbeat reported that an update on the accountability system is due to lawmakers on August 1, 2026. Stakeholder meetings are expected throughout August 2026. A final draft is due in November 2026. The system is expected to take effect in the 2028-29 school year. The board next meets on August 12, 2026.
Rausch's start date and salary have not been set. Chalkbeat reported that the board first needed to approve the hire. The board extended acting director Michael O'Connor's contract to September 1, 2026. Chair David Harris will negotiate and post those terms. The listed salary range for the job was $235,000 to $325,000.