Lanier Echols wears two important hats in the world of educating Indianapolis children. First she’s just been named Interim Principal at the Carpe Diem Meridian Charter School. And she’s one of three new members of the Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners. In an extended Afternoons with Amos interview, Echols answered a number of questions about her two roles. Echols talked about what Carpe Diem is all about. They’re in the midst of their third year as a “blended learning” charter schools for 6th through 12th grade. The school is in the 2200 black of North Meridian Street. Carpe Diem specializes in students learning both in a traditional classroom setting and learning on computer. With an current enrollment of some 250 students, Carpe Diem has established a pretty good academic foundation. Though the state’s current complicated A-F Accountability Grading System didn’t rank the school highly last year. It received a “D” grade because, according to Echols, the poor performance of just a couple of students.
Carpe Diem Principal & IPS School Board Member Lanier Echols
But in this school year, Echols is more optimistic that the schools academic performance will improve. One of the Carpe Diem’s strengths is an individualized learning plan for every student. Asked about a promotion where students who signed up to attend Carpe Diem received gift cards form a local grocery, Lanier Echols defended the promotion and said the lawyers had said it was “legal”. Though others in the community have critcized the practice. On IPS subjects, Echols has attended just three IPS School Board meetings and a retreat for Board members and Superintendent Dr. Lewis Ferebee. Asked directly by a listener if she would have a conflict of interest because she works for a charter school, Echols firmly said “no”. She also said she’s not there on the Board to turn IPS into charter schools, but she was forceful in saying the goal should be to find ways of improving the quality of education in IPS’ schools. Asked about a Fox 59 video showing a fight in an IPS School, Echols said the school was an “alternative school setting” located in traditional school. But she was concerned about the incident. Click the Media Player to hear the Afternoons with Amos Interview with Carpe Diem Meridian Principal and IPS Board member Lanier Echols. Runs 40 Minutes. ©2015 WTLC/Radio One.
