Indiana Public Schools Face Possible Per-Student Funding Cut

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Department of Education is warning public schools in the state that they could receive less money than anticipated due to an unexpected increase in student enrollment, Associated Press reports. The news outlet reports a memo from IDOE described a shortfall of more than $9 million dollars in per-student funding because the Legislature reportedly underestimated the number of Indiana public school students by thousands during the approval of this year's $7 billion K-12 education budget. AP says schools have reported about 6,000 more students than the some 1 million projected when the Republican-dominated General Assembly approved the state budget.

While the shortfalls are statewide, they vary per school district, as AP reports the state's twp largest districts, IPS and Fort Wayne Community Schools are estimated to lose about $300,000.

Indiana State Teachers Association President Teresa Meredith said some districts will truly suffer because of this, especially school districts in rural areas.

AP reports Republican Senate President Pro Tem David Long said he expected the Legislature to address the shortfall during the session starting in January, despite the state’s two-year budget being adopted back in April.

More: apnews.com

Photo credit: Shutterstock