Ice Miller, teaming with a working group of professionals serving Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) that included Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc., Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, Blaylock Van LLP, Loop Capital, and Policy Analytics, helped mentor students taking a high school-level banking and industry course to teach them the process of school capital funding through municipal bonds.

As a part of IPS’s “Rebuilding Stronger” initiative, a referendum designed to upgrade and modernize schools and buildings within the IPS boundaries, students had the opportunity to witness the school corporation and its professional partners in action during a live class as IPS sold $130 million in bonds to fund the first phase of the initiative. This sale was the first series of bonds and part of an aggregate approval of $410M over three to four years. The students also learned more broadly about capital referendums, how the bond markets work, and various related legal issues.

Allowing students to observe the bond sale process was a way to involve them in the future of their school corporation and community, as well as introduce them to the business, finance, and public engagement side of how their government and the economy intersect.

Ice Miller Partner Erik Long served as bond counsel on the firm’s behalf during the class presentation. Ice Miller has a long-standing relationship with IPS and has been working with the school corporation on the “Rebuilding Stronger” referendum, as well as other capital and strategic needs. The Ice Miller team also includes Jane Neuhauser Herndon, Kristin McNulty McClellan, Matt Miller, Amy Corsaro, Susan Price, Tom John, Sebastian Smelko, Lauren Siler, and Sallie Zubek.