IPS cuts would include teacher layoffs

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Thursday, Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Eugene White will share a plan to cut district spending by $27 million.

24-Hour News 8 news partner Inside Indiana Business reports that among the cuts will be 160 layoffs, including 94 teachers.

IPS said in a news release that programs such as art, music and physical education would be maintained at current levels.

"IPS has pledged to keep cuts as far away from the classroom as possible, and this budget proposal does that," White said. "We squeezed every dollar possible out of this budget by renegotiating bank fees, severing ties with professional organizations that charge fees, and reducing travel expenses. We've cut administrators, secretarial staff and police officers to ensure our classrooms have the funds they need to provide a quality education to our students."

IPS has cut its General Fund budget by $120 million over the past five years.

The meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday in the board room of the educational services center, 120 E. Walnut St.