At IndyHub, we know that People Make the City. We asked Alexandra Simonton, Director of Strategy for IU Health Foundation and Vice Chair for the IndyHub Board of Directors, to share with us how she’s helping to shape Indy through her participation on the board of the United Schools of Indianapolis. Read more to hear about the impact Alex is making with Indy’s Charter Schools and how the work has shaped her as a professional.
What drew you to serve on a charter school board?
I’m a strong proponent of education and have tutored or mentored students at every educational level from preschool to graduate school. I believe that all students deserve access to quality education and that a strong educational foundation is critically important to future success. I’m also a realist and recognize that substantial disparities exist in schools with primarily Black and Brown students – inequitable resources, underrepresentation in honors/AP class, academic achievement gaps, percent of students receiving free/reduced lunch – to name a few. This compelled me to explore charter school board opportunities. Charter schools have more flexibility with curriculum and programming, offering a more personalized approach to education, which often translates to better academic performance. In 2019, I joined the board of United Schools of Indianapolis, a local charter school system dedicated to delivering high-quality education in underserved communities, because the mission resonated with me. USI strives to close the achievement gap for its students, the majority of whom are black and brown, by providing rigorous, college-preparatory education. USI ensures students reach their full potential by balancing best practices with personalized support that extends to their families. I am grateful to be part of this organization and eager to help unlock the potential within students, which will ultimately help transform Indianapolis neighborhoods.
Can you tell us about your experience as a board member? What preconceptions did you have about serving on a charter school board, and how have those changed based on your experience?
My board experience has been great! Prior to learning about USI from a mentor, I assumed charter school boards were mostly comprised of professionals within academia. This is not the case! In fact, charter school boards pursue occupational diversity when recruiting members because leaders from different industries can bring new ideas and innovative ways to solve problems. Additionally, I wasn’t sure what types of decisions would be within scope for the board. Our board functions as a governing board as opposed to a working board. We advise on operational and strategic initiatives, always keeping students at the forefront of decision-making. For example, the board is not responsible for determining curriculum, however, we do vote on academic models, like whether Middle School should begin in 5th or 6th grade.
Can you tell us a little bit about what being a charter board member entails?
To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, an investment in education always pays the best interest. As a board member, I invest time, talent, and treasurer to support the charter school mission. There are bimonthly board meetings and periodic committee meetings where board members can help champion topics like governance, finance, or development. During board meetings, performance metrics are reviewed and we’re charged with asking school administrators the right questions. For example, we may request to see test scores stratified by race or gender to understand where there might be gaps and how to address them.
Fundraising is essential for charter schools and typically there’s an expectation for board members to make an annual gift, which may go towards anything from uniforms to college tours.
Serving on a charter school board also increased my awareness of the surrounding community and infrastructure gaps. Charter school administrators prioritize what’s in the best interest of the students, and this often means staying closely connected with families to assess needs. Early on in the pandemic, teachers deployed chromebooks and hotspots to ensure students could receive instruction virtually with minimal disruption. Additionally, school lunches and snacks were distributed – not just for the enrolled students, but also for siblings in the same household.
What is something you wish more people knew about Indy’s charter schools and the role board members play?
Charter schools address a critical gap in our communities and their structure facilitates agility in making changes to best accommodate students and families. Additionally, charter schools typically provide students with more opportunities and exposure than traditional public schools – this makes a difference and helps position them for academic and personal success.
Board members have responsibility for amplifying the importance of charter schools across their personal/professional networks. Education is not just an issue for board members or school administrators – it impacts our entire society. Building awareness helps draw necessary action toward alleviating the inequalities within education.
What have you found most fulfilling about being a board member? What has it’s greatest challenge been?
After learning about the issues facing students, families, teachers, and administrators, it’s been incredibly fulfilling to play a role in alleviating burdens. Working with board members and school leaders with shared values and desire to deliver high-quality education to underserved communities has also been a highlight. We’ve also not been able to convene onsite due to visitor restrictions, but normally walking through the school halls is inspiring and reenergizing! One challenge is feeling like there’s always so much more to do in order to close the academic achievement gap, which has widened considerably since the pandemic.
What advice would you give someone who might be interested in serving on a charter school board?
Go for it! Serving on a charter school board is an opportunity to advocate for children and make a difference in our community.
Interested in joining a charter school board yourself? Join the Office of Education Innovation on Wednesday, March 16 at Tinker House Events from 5:30 – 7:30 pm for a night of networking, refreshments and the opportunity to connect with Mayor-sponsored Charter Schools. The event is free and open to all interested professionals. RSVP to your spot today!
MEET ALEX SIMONTON
A Carmel, Indiana native, Alexandra Simonton earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and a Master of Health Administration from Indiana University. She then completed an Administrative Fellowship with IU Health, managing a diverse portfolio of strategic projects for various hospitals within the system. Alex currently serves as Director of Strategy for IU Health Foundation, where she leads strategic planning and oversees execution of strategic initiatives. Alex is dedicated to cultivating healthcare equity and aspires to eliminate healthcare disparities through community outreach and partnership.Outside of work, Alex is active in several professional organizations. Alex is a board member for IndyHub and United Schools of Indianapolis and is the founding President of NAHSE Indy. Alex is an avid reader, wellness enthusiast, and enjoys traveling.
