Before lawmakers adjourned Saturday, they sent some financial help to school districts struggling with huge budget cuts. It could save scores of teacher jobs, but it may also anger some teacher’s unions.
Some of the tax dollars intended to pay for new computers, building improvements, and new buses, schools can instead use to pay teachers.
“It is a big deal. Every little bit helps,” said Michael Reuter, Hamilton Southeastern chief financial officer.
Hamilton Southeastern figures the plan will prevent the loss of 12 teaching jobs, but won’t come close to replacing what the district lost to emergency state funding cuts.
“We were cut $4.5 million effective January 15th. We going to able to make up $680,000,” said Reuter.
Statewide, the unexpected loss of $300 million has schools slashing budgets, jobs and academic programs. Many will benefit from the freedom to shuffle money.
“We think there are probably 60 percent of school districts who should find some relief,” said John Ellis, Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents.
While lawmakers offered some help to struggling schools, they sent clear messages about raises for teachers, administrators and other employees. They doubled the amount of money schools can transfer if they freeze pay and hold incremental raises to just two percent.
Incremental raises are the raises teacher receive automatically every year for much of their careers. Required by law, they reward teachers for additional experience and education.
Gov. Daniels supports giving schools financial flexibility and reining in teacher pay.
“Teacher’s unions could help a lot with any district that is having financial problems just by skipping a year’s pay increase,” said Daniels.
Wages of state and other public employees are already frozen. During the legislative session, the governor and some lawmakers argued for freezing teacher’s pay too.
The legislation awaits the governor’s signature. It will do nothing for some schools. With $6.7 million in funding cuts, Franklin Township’s superintendent says he has no money to transfer.
Note:
The Southern Hancock Schools system will discuss budget-cutting moves Monday night. The district must trim $1.7 million from next year’s general fund budget. Earlier this month, the district laid off 12 non-certified employees to begin reducing expenses. The meetingĀ is at 6:30 pm at Brandywine Elementary School.
from wthr.com
