In a brief board meeting Tuesday, Hamilton Southeastern Schools joined the local teachers’ union, the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, in opposing legislation under consideration by the General Assembly that both groups view as a threat to Indiana public school funding.
The board voted unanimously to issue the joint statement, which urges “legislators to oppose these bills, and any other legislation that directs funding away from
Indiana public schools.” The bills include HB 1005, SB 412 and SB 413.
Board member Sarah Donsbach, the board’s Legislative Liaison, reviewed the details of how the proposed legislation would increase funding for families with children in nonpublic schools and would increase the income range, allowing families with higher incomes to qualify for state subsidies for nonpublic schools.
“It greatly expands the income eligibility for students to be able to participate in this Choice program,” Donsbach told fellow board members. “That risks the public schools losing a large amount of funding in the process.”
HB 1005 has passed the Indiana House by a vote of 61-38. It is now under consideration in the Senate.
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On another matter, President Janet Pritchett says the board has started interviewing candidates for superintendent, with those interviews starting last week and wrapping up this week. The board expects to make a choice, enter into contract negotiations, and “hopefully” announce the new superintendent March 24.
“I just want to reiterate how pleased we are with our candidates,” Pritchett said. “They are very strong and we are very, very excited to have them and we’re going to have a really, really difficult choice.”
Current Superintendent Allen Bourff has announced his intention to retire at the end of June this year.
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You can view the entire joint resolution opposing the three education bills below.
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JOINT RESOLUTION BETWEEN THE HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND THE HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN SCHOOLS IN OPPOSITION TO HB 1005, SB 412, AND SB 413
WHEREAS, the Indiana General Assembly during its 2021 legislative session is considering HB 1005, SB 412, and SB 413.
WHEREAS, HB 1005, SB 412, and SB 413 establish Education Savings (or Scholarship) Accounts (ESAs) and dramatically increase funding for school choice scholarships; and,
WHEREAS, there is no urgency to pass these measures during a pandemic that is already imposing severe financial constraints on public schools; and,
WHEREAS, parents in Indiana have an array of state-funded options for schooling, including high quality public schools, choice scholarships, tax deductions for private school and home school education expenses, charter schools, innovation schools, and virtual schools; and,
WHEREAS, continued expansion of vouchers has negatively affected public school students and their programs in Indiana; and,
WHEREAS, voucher funding impairs Indiana’s constitutional obligation to fund a uniform system of schools wherein tuition shall be without charge; and,
WHEREAS, the Parties believe that this type of legislation does not give real choice to families, as private and religious schools can discriminate in whom they educate; and,
WHEREAS, this legislation would direct resources to nonpublic schools that are not accountable to taxpayers for the expenditures they make with public funds, not audited by the State Board of Accounts, do not publish annual financial or performance reports, are largely exempt from an extraordinary array of federal and state mandates, regulations and reporting requirements that are imposed on public schools, do not receive federal accountability ratings, and are not even required to employ licensed teachers.
NOW THEREFORE, the Parties strongly oppose HB 1005, SB 412, and SB 413 and urge legislators to oppose these bills, and any other legislation that directs funding away from Indiana public schools.