Edison School of the Arts board fires CEO, ends new innovation school contract

The Edison School of the Arts board of directors Tuesday night removed Nathan Tuttle as the school’s CEO after an incident earlier this month in which he used the n-word in front of students and teachers complained about a toxic work environment.

At the same meeting, the six-member board for the innovation school decided to end the agreement with Indianapolis Public Schools to replicate the Edison school model at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 next year.

In the resolution terminating Tuttle's position, the board said “under Tuttle’s leadership, a significant divide has developed among the students, parents, faculty, and staff of the School,” and that new leadership is needed to move forward.

Staff and family members who attended Tuesday’s meeting erupted in applause after the vote to approve Tuttle’s termination.

More on Nathan Tuttle: Edison School of the Arts staff and parents call for leader to resign

Edison School parents, staff, students speak up

Tuesday’s decision follows an emotional public hearing last week where parents, staff and students spent more than two hours detailing concerns over Tuttle’s actions and his leadership of the school.

IPS said in an emailed statement that the district supports the board’s decision to terminate Tuttle.

“We believe Edison’s Board has responded to the feedback and concerns from staff and families and has taken the appropriate and necessary steps to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for its students, staff, and families,” the statement said.

IPS also said they will be working with the staff, families and community of school 43 to determine next steps for that school.

Edison is an IPS innovation school, meaning that it operates autonomously from the IPS district and has its own nonprofit board to oversee operations. The school's curriculum focuses on the arts.

Board members Ted Givens and Keesha Dixon abstained from voting on the resolution terminating Tuttle’s position. No board members commented at the meeting about the vote.

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Edison School of the Arts board appoints new administrator

The board appointed Amy Berns, the school’s current K-5 principal, to the newly created position of “building administrator” to oversee all employees and operations at the school until the end of this school year. The board also authorized a review of all Edison school policies and procedures regarding the use of racially inappropriate and offensive language, employee and student discipline.

Board member Greg Wallis said next steps for the Edison school will include a review of the school’s organizational chart and the implementation of an “Edison Empowers Parents Committee” that will regularly report to the board about parent feedback.

Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @CarolineB_Indy. 

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Edison school CEO fired; Indianapolis innovation contract canceled