Alan Petersime / Chalkbeat
Indiana legislators reshaped education in significant ways this year by helping schools cope with setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, eliminating the threat of state takeover for struggling schools, nearly doubling funding, and broadening school vouchers for middle-class families.
The additional $1.9 billion lawmakers directed toward education over the next two years will enable school districts to raise teacher pay a win for educators that comes a year and a half after thousands rallied at the statehouse to demand better pay.
“It’s hard to believe looking at this budget that many parents and education leaders feared massive cuts less than a year ago due to the pandemic and economic downturn,” Stand Indiana Executive Director Justin Ohlemiller said in a statement. The legislative session made meaningful progress toward “elevating the teaching profession,” he said.
by: Wes Mills, Inside INdiana Business
Posted:
Apr 21, 2021 / 07:12 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) Gov. Eric Holcomb said Tuesday that the Indiana House and Senate budget negotiators reached a deal on a $37.4 billion spending plan, which includes nearly $2 billion in new spending for education over the next two years.
Holcomb said a few more hurdles needed to be cleared before the budget is finalized; however, the basics are in place for a final vote and his signature.
“There’s a high level of confidence that we’re going to not just be on schedule, but ahead of schedule with a budget that we can all be proud of for the next two years,” the Republican governor said.
State budget pleases many with its education focus newsnirvana.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newsnirvana.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
General Assembly
NIKI KELLY | The Journal Gazette
INDIANAPOLIS – Republicans unveiled a $37.4 billion budget deal Tuesday that gives K-12 schools nearly $2 billion in new education money – a likely record amount to be used to boost teacher pay statewide.
The final compromise – to be voted on today by the House and Senate – also spends billions in one-time federal and state dollars. Some of those investments include broadband expansion, health grants, mental health programs, pension paydown, debt repayment, capital projects, grants for struggling businesses and a replenishment of the state unemployment trust fund.
“I think we are living in a rare time, . and we are going to seize the day,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a joint news conference with legislative leaders.
Indiana teachers may finally get that raise.
With an extra $2 billion to spend over the next two years due to a rosy April revenue forecast, Indiana lawmakers announced Tuesday they would invest half of that into increasing funding for K-12 schools. The influx of cash allowed them to fulfill a promise made two years ago to address the stateâs teacher pay shortage.
The state also benefited from the federal stimulus package signed by President Biden. The $37.4 billion two-year budget compromise, struck between Gov. Eric Holcomb and leaders of the Indiana General Assembly, will fund the $600 million down payment that a state commission found was needed to make teacher pay in Indiana competitive.