Dear Public Education Advocates and Members of ICPE, 

Public education is in an existential crisis– and HB1423 could be the tipping point. If public schools are the cornerstone of our democracy, then removing the public from them threatens democracy itself. 

We have been sounding the alarm about this bill for weeks, and now we need all hands on deck. HB1423 strips power from an elected school board (Indianapolis Public Schools) and transfers it to a brand-new entity– a corporation governed by an all-appointed board. If this can happen in Indianapolis, it can happen anywhere in Indiana.

In this year of our 250th anniversary as a country, we have to ask why is the General Assembly advancing a policy that amounts to taxation without representation? 

And why would legislators who rightly rejected the federal redistricting efforts as government overreach now endorse the overreach of state government into local decision-making? 

This Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 16 – ICPE is hosting a Virtual Statehouse Day on Zoom to flood the Statehouse switchboard with calls, demanding that state senators and caucus leadership stop this antidemocratic bill. During your lunch hour, we invite you to join us–either at the start of our meeting or by following these simple directions with our resources here. 

This Presidents’ Day, show your love for our country and for Hoosier public schools by taking action. This is bigger than Indianapolis, bigger than charter school lobbyists, and bigger than party politics. It’s about preserving a fundamental democratic principle: power belongs with the people.

Across Indiana, we have the power to speak up for our schools. We are what makes public education public. Join us this Presidents’ Day for ICPE’s Virtual Statehouse Day of Action. Bring others and share with others. Together, we can make a difference.

Who? Hosted by the Indiana Coalition for Public Education. All are welcome to attend. 

What? Hands Off Our Public Schools: A Zoom Action Party to oppose House Bill 1423

Where? on Zoom : Register in advance. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wWUYP9uNSSuI7XMN99MVAQ#/registration

When? President’s Day, February 16, 2026, 11am-1pm EST – pop in when you can!

Why? Oppose taxation without representation and defend democratic local control.

How: Coordinated outreach to legislators by calling the Statehouse switchboard.

Note: Our amazing and dedicated advocates in our Grassroots Group have already participated in two ICPE Action Parties on Zoom this session. For Presidents’ Day, we wanted to open it up to all our members who may be interested in participating!

Thanks for your advocacy,

 The ICPE Team