As Indiana Republicans hope to open an assault on state property taxes and
deliver on campaign promises made by the newly elected Gov. Mike Braun,
River Forest Community School Corporation could be hit with a large cut in
funding over the next three years — should this Republican-backed bill pass
the Indiana Legislature by the end of the month.
The proposal, Senate Bill 1, is part of a state GOP effort to cut what Braun
called "runaway property taxes". With a successful 2024 gubernatorial
campaign centered around money as its key issue, the governor and his party
hope to slash taxes for Indiana homeowners, which could result in a $371
million cut to schools across the state, according to the report by the Indiana
Legislative Services Agency.
From speeches to press releases, Braun has called on the state government
to “do more with a little less,” this would be hard — if not impossible.
Cuts would be difficult. It's a little surprising to learn that there are some that
think schools can do more with less.
The majority of public school funding statewide, comes from the state through
Indiana income and sales taxes. Local property taxes, which Braun plans to
cap, make up the second largest chunk of funding, and these funds are
typically allocated for school facilities.
We’ve had double digit increases for the last five years on our building repairs,
and building maintenance costs. Those costs, just basic repairs, have
increased over 50% since 2021. Insurance costs continue to rise while
coverages are being restricted. NIPSCO costs have risen as have water and
sewage.
But now facing a potential loss in funding, we might not be able to repair our
aging facilities.
We can't lose sight of the importance of what the local property taxes go for in
maintaining our facilities.
One costly expense is school buses. The price of school buses has increased
47% since 2021, making any potential cuts tough.
We don't take for granted the funds that we have, and we use them
judiciously. And we have a very conservative school board who oversees the
governance of these funds that we use to put into our schools. But it is an
investment.
Potential cuts extend to the federal level. With President Donald Trump
signing an executive order March 20 ordering Department of Education
Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the department — and
potentially millions in federal funding — this could only worsen the impacts of
state-level cuts.
An act of Congress would be required to cut programs such as those required
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This act supplies schools
with federal funding so that children with disabilities are ensured special
education.
Our schools cannot carry out those duties and responsibilities without the
federal funding.
It would be speculative to try and determine exactly what we would do if all of
this funding disappears. But yes, that's why we'd have to cut programs. We
would have to cut people, bussing, safety personnel, athletics, and programs
if we don't have the revenue source to sustain what we're doing.
Our schools also receive DOE funds for students from low-income families
under the Title I program. Another federally funded program, E-Rate, provides
discounted internet services to RFCSC and its students, easing the cost of
some of their expenses. Both of these programs could be at risk should
Congress continue the president’s sweeping cuts.
We won’t know the full impact of would-be reduced funding until summer,
when we begin making our budget for the next school year. And by May,
Senate Bill 1 will have been passed or voted down. It has been in the House
Committee on Ways and Means since March 3, according to the Indiana
General Assembly's website, and it's unclear when or if it will move to a vote.
We're going to know what has come out of Senate Bill 1 or the state budget,
and then we'll have an idea of what that tuition support revenue is going to
look like for next year, and then, schools are forced to go make it work.
Despite cuts looming, I am optimistic about the future of education in Indiana,
and the quality of teachers, staff, administrators, and our River Forest families.
All of these groups have gone above and beyond for the well-being of our
Corporation because our schools are the “Centers of our Communities”.
These individuals care and they are passionate about student success.
Please contact your legislators and let them know our kids matter and deserve
better!
Find your legislator here: https://iga.in.gov.information/find-legislators