The Latest: Plan would close 3 Indianapolis high schools

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Latest on the proposed closing of Indianapolis high schools (all times local):

1 p.m.

The Indianapolis Public Schools superintendent is recommending that Arlington, Broad Ripple and Northwest high schools be closed, leaving the district with four high schools after years of declining enrollment.

District administrators proposed Wednesday converting Arlington and Northwest into middle schools starting the 2018-19 school year and selling the Broad Ripple property.

A task force report in April advocated closing three of the district's current seven high schools because it now has about 5,000 high school students in buildings designed for nearly 15,000.

District Superintendent Lewis Ferebee says expected savings will be directed toward improving school programs.

The proposal would keep Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, Shortridge and Washington open as high schools. The district's board could vote on the plan in September, but some protesters say the decision is being rushed.

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11:15 a.m.

The Indianapolis Public Schools board is facing calls to slow down on making a decision about closing three of the district's seven high schools after years of declining enrollment.

District administrators are set to announce Wednesday which schools they will recommend for closure following a task force report advocating the action because the district now has about 5,000 high school students in buildings that could handle nearly 15,000. The closings are estimated to save $4 million a year.

About 50 protesters gathered outside the district's headquarters ahead of Tuesday night's board meeting. David Greene of IPS Community Coalition says he believes the district is making the closing decisions without evaluating the community impact.

The board could decide in September on closing the schools for the 2018-19 school year.