INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric Holcomb will ask the Indiana State Board of Education to delay the fall count of student enrollment, hopefully ensuring all schools get 100% of their expected funding.
There has been concern over the funding, since a state law was discovered that requires that students receiving 50% or more of their education virtually are currently funded 85% of their normal funding, compared to 100% at in-person schools.
If the student enrollment count is delayed to when all children are back in schools, the schools will still get the 100% of funding. The SBOE can change the count date for a number of reasons, including emergencies and extreme illnesses.
“Together with Speaker Huston and Pro Tem Bray, I have asked the State Board of Education to exercise this statutory authority to secure full funding to schools,” Holcomb said. “There has been a great deal of conversation around school funding in the last five days. It is clear that Speaker Huston and Pro Tem Bray share my commitment to fund schools to the full extent during this uncertain and unprecedented time.”
The current count date is scheduled for Sept. 18.
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick released the following statement:
“As I have from the beginning, I will continue to champion a solution to the complex issue of adequately and fully funding schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department was informed late this morning of the Governor’s proposed ADM count date delay. IDOE staff is in the process of reviewing for its potential financial benefits and consequences. This delay is just that- a delay. Hoosier schools deserve a solution to secure 100 percent funding as districts are bargaining, budgeting, and preparing for the next 18 months.”
