Gov. Holcomb: No Budget Cuts To K-12 Education

Many districts were at risk of being funded at only 85 percent for those students.

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(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Governor Eric Holcomb says the state will continue to move forward with its current K-12 education budget and will not be making any cuts.

Governor Holcomb made this announcement on Wednesday during his daily news conference.

The announcement comes just days after higher education institutions and other state agencies were asked to take cuts, due to state officials expecting a budget shortfall of $2 billion this year.

State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick released the following statement:

“I am pleased our state decision makers will not cut funding from Indiana K-12 education. The Department’s recommendation to not penalize schools for virtual options was also granted. Schools will have one less stressor as they continue to educate our students during this unprecedented time.”

During the conference, the governor also stated that there is full support from all leaders for providing public schools a one-year waiver for students attending classes virtually.

Two lawmakers voiced their full support for allowing the waivers and to also allow full funding for students attending virtually.

Many districts were at risk of being funded at only 85 percent for those students.

Another state representative is proposing a bill that would cut off a school’s federal funding if they refuse to reopen for in-person learning this fall.

Rep Jim Banks’s Reopen Our Schools Act prohibits all schools, elementary to university level, from receiving FY20 funds unless they reopen by September 8.

Under the legislation, only in-person classes would county as fully re-open. The bill also provides language about safe re-entry plans and maximum liability protection for schools.

The concern from Banks it that remote learning it not effect and lack-of internet keeps low-income or rural families from being able to do classwork.