INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric Holcomb has announced that the state’s K-12 public schools will not see any funding cuts even as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the state’s tax revenue.
On Wednesday, Holcomb said the state will move forward with a planned $183 million spending increase for K-12 schools as part of the budget for fiscal year 2021, adding that the schools have been “spared the knife.”
In addition, Holcomb said he supports fully funding students who attend classes online due to reasons related to COVID-19.
“This just shows that not only have our K-12 schools been spared the knife, or a cut in their budgets, even while a global pandemic has truly washed upon our shores as it has others, but this just illustrates or underscores the priority and the importance that we place at this very foundational level,” Holcomb said during a press briefing Wednesday.
The announcement came just weeks after the governor’s office directed state government agencies to cut spending by 15% for the coming year in reaction to plummeting tax revenues during the coronavirus outbreak, according to the The Associated Press.
State tax collections were about $1.2 billion less than expected through May, and could see that number grow close to $2 billion by the end of the month, state officials said.
“We did not want to limit resources as school corporations much prepare and execute a productive and safe learning environment,” said Indiana Office of Management and Budget Director Cris Johnston. “We want the students back in the classroom, so the governor has recommended that the $183 million increase for fiscal year 2021 will go forward and the tuition assistance appropriation will remain at $7.5 billion.”
State Schools Superintendent Jennifer McCormick praised the decision to not cut funding from K-12 schools, saying “schools will have one less stressor.”
“I am pleased our state decision makers will not cut funding from Indiana K-12 education,” McCormick said in a statement. “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.”
