Education board gives governor suggestions

Clark County

Related Photos

Tony Bennett

Discussion

Add a comment on this story

December 18, 2009

Hope is to save teachers' jobs

STAFF REPORTS The News and Tribune Fri Dec 18, 2009, 06:52 PM EST

The Indiana State Board of Education on Friday provided Gov. Mitch Daniels with recommendations for ways school corporations can absorb kindergarten through grade 12 budget reductions without reducing the number of classroom teachers.

In addition to a list of possible options for school communities, the board encouraged Daniels to direct the State Budget Agency to act quickly and reduce K-12 education funds enough to avoid budget reductions in 2010, a press release from the board of education says.

“Reducing education funding is a last resort, but this unfortunate situation gives us the unique opportunity to take innovative, cost-saving steps that will put Indiana’s schools in a stronger long-term position,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett said in the release. “I have every confidence school boards, teachers, administrators and communities will come together and make the best possible decisions to reduce spending without compromising student learning.

“All who presented to the State Board of Education yesterday — superintendents, school board members and teachers — offered good ideas that save money without teacher layoffs,” he said.

In an e-mailed statement, Daniels said the report “provides added confidence that schools have a host of common-sense options for making do with a few percent less dollars without reducing classroom teachers.”

On Jan. 8, the board will meet to consider and adopt a “citizens’ checklist” of measures that will be distributed to each school corporation, school board and school community.