Legislation Would Expand Limitations On School Admin Buyouts

Monday, January 28, 2019 at 10:03 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

Contract buyouts for some of the highest-paid public school employees could be limited to $250,000.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Principals and assistant principals could soon be held to the same contract buyout rules as local school superintendents in Indiana.

Lawmakers in Indianapolis say they are looking to expand the state's law that caps school buyouts at $250,000. The law which took effect in 2017 specifically applies to school superintendents.

State Senator Erin Houchin (R-Salem) wants to expand that to cover principals, assistant principals, and assistant superintendents as well. Senate Bill 281 would implement the cap on administrator contracts signed or renewed on or after July 1, 2019.

Houchin told RTV 6 in Indianapolis she's gotten calls from local schools about who is covered by the cap and how much other school administrators can be paid to leave.

SB 281 would also limit the length of assistant superintendent, principal, and assistant principal contracts to three years or less.

The bill is currently waiting for a hearing in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee. The committee is chaired by State Senator Jeff Raatz (R-Centerville), a senator representing parts of Dearborn and Franklin counties.