INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public Schools has hired a new principal at George Washington Carver School 87.
According to a news release from the district, Elizabeth Krutz, a 30+ veteran of education and the previous principal at La Porte Middle School and coordinator of special programs, in La Porte, has been hired as the new principal at George Washington Carver School 87. The hire is pending approval of the district’s Board of School Commissioners at the end of the month.
“We have attracted an extremely talented principal to lead George Washington Carver School 87,” Aleesia Johnson, the district’s superintendent, said in the release. “Elizabeth brings an amazing skill set that includes celebrated relationship-building expertise and a proven ability to close achievement gaps through strategic planning and data-driven practices. We look forward to the positive impact she will have on our students and the community.”
This comes after the district announced its plans earlier this year to replace the principal and assistant principal at George Washington Carver School 87 in response to an investigation into a teacher reportedly recording a fight between students at the school.
Julious Johnican, the teacher reportedly involved in the incident, was charged in Marion County with one count of neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony, in relation to the altercation. Johnican’s pretrial conference is scheduled for July 23.
According to previous reports, a lawsuit was also filed against IPS, claiming that Johnican, who officials allege was the teacher who filmed the fight, allowed a 7-year-old student to be beaten in class on multiple occasions. Johnican is also under investigation by the Indiana Department of Education.
After the incident, IPS also released a list of items that they plan to implement in the future, in the aftermath of the incident, including:
- Reviewed mandatory reporting requirements with staff at the May 1 staff meeting.
- Increased the number of staff who are transitioning with each class to ensure student safety and visibility in the hallways.
- Adjusted protocol of teachers greeting students in the mornings while also watching the students in their classrooms. This increases visibility of students to ensure safety in hallways.
- Modified communication protocols for teachers regarding notifying administration when there is a level 3 or 4 Code of Conduct infraction so corrective actions can be determined and implemented immediately.
- Increased behavioral support for classroom teachers by school administrators.
- Implemented social emotional Support for staff with the introduction and use of “Mind, Body, Medicine Strategies” facilitated by the district’s Equitable Supports Team.
- Increased presence of staff during lunch times in the cafeteria.
- Implemented morning walks of the building by administration after daily announcements.
- Implemented administration presence in hallways to greet students during arrival.
- Implemented administration presence at dismissal for Car Rider duty.
- Identified additional staff at Car Rider duty during dismissal to increase efficiency and safety.
- Implemented an open-door policy for administration to receive feedback from staff or families.
- Increased communication with families regarding upcoming events.
In a statement from Krutz, she said that she is “a firm believer in the Montessori philosophy” and will help develop her expertise in Montessori practices through various courses and district collaboration.
“I am committed to ensuring that George Washington Carver offers the best Montessori program for all students,” she said.
