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

The governor also announced his support for providing public schools with a one-year waiver for students virtually attending class.

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

Governor Holcomb made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. 

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

The governor also said there is full support from all leaders for providing public schools a one-year waiver for students attending classes virtually.

During a state budget committee meeting today, two lawmakers voiced their support for allowing the waivers and allow full funding for students attending virtually.

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

On the flip side, another State Representative is proposing a bill that would cutoff 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 count as fully re-opening. The bill also provides language about safe re-entry plans and maximum liability protection for schools.

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