IPS hires new principal for school dogged by ‘Fight Club’ allegations

Sign up for Chalkbeat Indiana’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on Indianapolis Public Schools, Marion County township districts, and national education news.

Indianapolis Public Schools has hired a new principal at George Washington Carver School 87 following major protests over the school’s culture and administration’s handling of allegations that a former teacher encouraged the abuse of a disabled student.

Elizabeth Krutz, former principal of La Porte Middle School and special programs coordinator for the La Porte Community School Corporation, will begin serving once her appointment is confirmed by the IPS board in late July, according to an IPS press release.

“Elizabeth brings an amazing skill set, including recognized expertise in relationship building and a proven ability to close achievement gaps through strategic planning and data-driven practices,” IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said in Monday’s news release. “We look forward to the positive impact she will have on our students and community.”

School 87 came under fire earlier this year when a widely shared video showed one student punching another. A lawsuit filed April 16 by the mother of a 7-year-old student says the video contains audio of the child’s then-teacher, Julious Johnican, instigating the physical attack. (Johnican resigned from his position last year and no longer works for IPS.)

Following extensive media coverage of the video, parents raised concerns about the school’s overall climate and lack of transparency. The mother’s lawsuit alleges Johnican used “Fight Club”-style disciplinary tactics and that school administrators denied allegations of physical assault related to the incident. The lawsuit is ongoing and will be heard in federal court.

Following the video and criticism from parents, IPS announced in April the creation of a mental health and school culture task force and a student safety task force.

The job posting made no reference to the incident or the parents’ complaints. After investigating the video, IPS announced in May that it was hiring a new principal and deputy principal for School 87, replacing principal Mary Kapcoe and deputy principal Finae Rent.

IPS emphasized Krutz’s support of Montessori practices, which emphasize student independence and self-directed learning.

In its statement, IPS said she was taking a Montessori Fundamentals for School Principals course and that Krutz was being supervised by Christine Rembert, principal of IPS Montessori James Russell Lowell School 51.

Krutz received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and also received a license in educational leadership and administration from Indiana State University, according to her LinkedIn profile. She said her four children attend Montessori schools and she is a “firm believer in the Montessori philosophy.”

“I am committed to ensuring that George Washington Carver provides the best Montessori program for all students,” Krutz said in the press release.

Haley Miller is a summer intern covering education in the Indianapolis area. You can reach Haley at [email protected].