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| Rod Bray Official State Photo |
As the school year begins, schools find themselves trying to weave their ways through scores of potential landmines that could have devastating effects on a community and Hoosier families.
In general, a lack of guidance from state officials and a lack of anyone wishing to make a decision has created a vacuum where local schools have to cobble together the best information they can and make decisions based on those facts as the COVID-19 pandemic slogs on.
In short, these critical decisions rely on consistent and clear communication from the state. It's no time for amateur hour.
Some counties like Marion County have had an involved local health department. While Dr. Virginia Caine and Mayor Joe Hogsett have made some moves that have not been well-communicated ahead of time, they have been pretty rock solid in their guidance that when it becomes unsafe to keep schools open that they won’t hesitate to close them. They did it in March, and they have clear guidance for Marion County Schools that's based on science and data. This is the kind of guidance that local school boards and superintendents need to make good decisions.
Some counties like Marion County have had an involved local health department. While Dr. Virginia Caine and Mayor Joe Hogsett have made some moves that have not been well-communicated ahead of time, they have been pretty rock solid in their guidance that when it becomes unsafe to keep schools open that they won’t hesitate to close them. They did it in March, and they have clear guidance for Marion County Schools that's based on science and data. This is the kind of guidance that local school boards and superintendents need to make good decisions.
Most of all, they need to know that decision makers in government have their backs in no uncertain terms. The last thing they need are mixed messages or unclear guidance.
School leaders were shuddering to think what might happen to funding this summer as the state announced major budget cuts to deal with the budget shortfall. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb alleviated concerns by saying that schools would receive 100 percent funding as planned for the 2020/2021 school year. With that guidance, schools have moved forward in good faith.
School leaders were shuddering to think what might happen to funding this summer as the state announced major budget cuts to deal with the budget shortfall. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb alleviated concerns by saying that schools would receive 100 percent funding as planned for the 2020/2021 school year. With that guidance, schools have moved forward in good faith.
Late last night, the Governor's guidance was muddied as a powerful General Assembly voice decided to weigh in.
Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray announced in a letter that public schools not beginning the school year with an in person option would see a funding cut of 15 percent per student. With schools already rolling in many communities and some deciding to go 100 percent virtual, Bray's letter drew broad criticism. The ISTA, AFT, Senate Democrats, State School Superintendent Jennifer McCormick, Woody Myers and others were quick to criticize the move.
This is not the kind of guidance our schools need right now. Bray wants to punish schools who make decisions based on health and safety. When approached by the Indy Star on what all this meant for schools, Bray could not provide any details.
Senator Bray clearly did not think out this position, and he clearly does not understand how his proposed funding cuts will affect districts that are already in session or may be closed by health orders.
Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray announced in a letter that public schools not beginning the school year with an in person option would see a funding cut of 15 percent per student. With schools already rolling in many communities and some deciding to go 100 percent virtual, Bray's letter drew broad criticism. The ISTA, AFT, Senate Democrats, State School Superintendent Jennifer McCormick, Woody Myers and others were quick to criticize the move.
One person has been silent: Governor Holcomb.
This is not the kind of guidance our schools need right now. Bray wants to punish schools who make decisions based on health and safety. When approached by the Indy Star on what all this meant for schools, Bray could not provide any details.
Senator Bray clearly did not think out this position, and he clearly does not understand how his proposed funding cuts will affect districts that are already in session or may be closed by health orders.
I bet he doesn’t care, either.
Bray's letter is essentially that “OPEN THE SCHOOLS” tweet President Trump mindlessly tweets in the form of a poorly thought out policy, and Governor Holcomb seems good with it.
That's a sad state of affairs, folks.
UPDATE: Per the Fort Wayne Journal Courier's Niki Kelly, the Governor has finally commented reiterating his support for 100 percent funding for schools.
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