Indiana to delay student count amid concerns about funding for virtual education
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday that he will ask the Indiana State Board of Education to have a special meeting to delay the fall count of student enrollment through at least December.
The goal is to ensure Indiana’s K-12 schools receive all of the funding he committed to them earlier this summer.
Concerns have arose that schools beginning the academic year with virtual-only instruction because of the coronavirus pandemic would receive 85% of funding for all of their students once the count date occurs. Holcomb has previously said he does not want to penalize districts, parents or students that use virtual learning.
“Obviously, as I’ve said, ideally we want them in the classroom, but we want them in a safe classroom. If that’s not possible at this moment and virtual is the safest, then I want to make sure schools know, parents know, students know there’s a safe alternative to learn, and that’s what this 100% … locking this 100% in over the course of this year is all about,” Holcomb said in Wednesday’s coronavirus briefing.
The student enrollment count, done twice a year, determines funding for schools. In a news release, the governor’s office said, “The count requires school districts to designate students who receive at least 50 percent of their instruction virtually as virtual students. School corporations in Indiana receive 85 percent of the foundation formula dollars distributed for virtual students.”
State House and Senate leaders are expected to work with the Board of Education and the Indiana Department of Education on details for the board to consider.
“This solution will put to rest lingering questions or concerns so schools can continue to focus on opening schools safely and educating Indiana’s students,” Holcomb said in the news release.
Katie Jenner, senior education adviser to Holcomb, said she’d heard appreciation from school district superintendents and educators’ associations expressing their pleasure with Wednesday’s announcement. She said details about how it all will work are not yet available.
Statements
“An important issue with the current school funding law has been discussed over the past several days. This provision of the law (IC 20-43-6-3) requires that students receiving 50 percent or more of their education virtually are currently funded at a lower level than students receiving their education in the school building. This law predates the COVID-19 pandemic and is automatic without some action to address its application under current circumstances. We believe that the State Board of Education has the authority under existing law to adjust schools’ student count date to allow schools to receive 100 percent of their per-student funding. In the next legislative session, the General Assembly can take a fresh look at these statutes in light of the pandemic to ensure schools are adequately funded.”
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, a Martinsville Republican
“House Republicans remain resolute in our commitment to provide schools with 100% of their funding during these unprecedented times. Due to recent concerns with the mechanism to provide full funding, we have all agreed that the proper course going forward is to support the State Board of Education in utilizing their statutory authority, which allows flexibility to change the enrollment count date during uncertain times, to ensure schools receive their full funding. We are so thankful for the efforts of our school officials and teachers who have been working tirelessly to serve students and open schools for this academic year.”
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, a Fishers Republican
“It’s a downright shame that Republicans are fighting with each other about school funding when teachers, parents and students are afraid for their lives in going back to school. Instead of reassuring the public, Gov. Holcomb and President Pro Tem Rod Bray are pushing for in-person schooling at the sake of health and safety — and on the day when we’ve again seen a record number of COVID-19 cases.”
Dr. Woody Myers, Democratic candidate for Indiana governor
“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 (average daily membership) count date delay. IDOE (Indiana Department of Education) 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.”
Jennifer McCormick, Indiana superintendent for public instruction
“While I’m happy with all the work that schools, educators and community members showed to voice their concerns and put pressure on the governor to address school funding cuts, I do not consider the governor’s proposed solution a victory,” Sen. Melton said. “Let’s be clear: the law in question was never intended to be applied to public schools operating virtually due to an unprecedented pandemic. All this “solution” does is kick the can down the road. The governor has still failed to give any assurance that public school funding will not see any cuts for the 2020-2021 school year due to the pandemic.
“In fact, by pushing the student enrollment count day to December, schools could actually stand to have this decision hurt them. If January rolls around and the statute is not amended by the time the General Assembly convenes, then schools would have been overpaid by 15% for eight months, and would have their monthly payments cut by that amount over the following four months. This could put schools in an even more difficult position, especially if Republican members do not pass legislation to make changes to the law.
“Delaying a real solution to this problem is not the same thing as solving the problem. Schools are looking for definitive actions and solutions in a time of uncertainty. Pushing back the September ADM count until December is just a way to placate voters until after the election, as far as I can tell. There’s no need to push this problem back by months, when that could potentially lead to more issues and still give no guarantee that the law in question would be altered. The governor needs to call a special session now so we can address this issue immediately and completely, along with a variety of other pertinent issues. Our schools deserve better than political tricks and half-solutions.”
State Sen. Eddie Melton, a Gary Democrat