Local teachers and administrators react to K-12 funding announcements

Educators across the state of Indiana are relieved that the state won’t be cutting funding to K-12 schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.

However, local educators who say this is just the first step to re-opening schools.

State wont be cutting funding to k-12 schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.

However... i talked with local educators who say this is just the first step to re- opening schools.

"i will be moving foward with the current budget which includes 183-million dollarincr- governor holcomb that announcement on wednesday was something educators were happy to hear.

"announcing that we aren't going to be losing any money that was a huge burden off of our shoulders"-andi hipsher co- president, wlea "we were hoping for good news and we got great news."-les huddle schools will also recieve 192-million dollars in federal funding from the cares act... which can be used for a number of covid-19 related expenses.

"one of the best things about it is it's flexible it is also a grant where we can plan now and submit the grant but get a quick turn around amendment."

Schools will also be recieving money from holcombs education relief fund which will provide 61-million dollars for remote learning recources.

And while these are all positives for public schools local teacher union reps..

Say they wont stop fighting for a raise for teachers in the coming budget year.

"we are not going away this is an investiment in the state of indiana's future through our children"-marydell forbes "once things can back to normal we can start back with our red for ed movement and hopefully keep that at the forefront of peoples minds."-andi hipsher while adminstrators are still working out plans to re-open.

"what if we start we have to shut down how are we going to reopen how long are we going to be shut down and how does that impact our teachers and our families."

One teachers union rep has a suggestion on how to make up budget shortfalls that can be reinvested in public education.

"lets say take away the iread and maybe the grade 10 istep test that right there would save approximelty if i am correct 42 million dollars.

Take that 42 million pump it back in to education..

Pretty painless."

Neither the governor or his budget director gave a clear cut answer on if they will consider adding more funding to k-12 education in the coming budget year for teachers pay.

The indiana state department of health is reporting