Indiana

School Daze

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I heard another story yesterday about another school district in Indiana talking about laying off teachers because of budget cuts and property tax caps and blaming the Governor and Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Excuse me while I grab my crying towel.

I been trying to figure out why I can’t find my sympathy for school districts  these days and then it dawned on me, I have none!

The average Hoosier, over the last two years, has had to suffer a nearly 5% pay cut.  Meanwhile teachers have gotten a raise of nearly 4.5% over the same period.   When you bring up consolidation, resource sharing, joint purchasing, some school administrators look at you like you’re speaking Kryptonian.

And it’s not like this can’t be done.

Teachers in Munster gave up a three percent raise and are paying more for insurance to avoid layoffs.   Evansville Vanderburg schools sold buildings and entered into purchasing agreements with other local governments to save money.  Plymouth school teachers reopened their contract  and gave back a one percent raise.  The Huntington School Board took a 10% pay cut.  New Harmony Town and Township Consolidated Schools joined the state health insurance plan to save money.

These are just a handful of examples of what schools are doing in order to save money and avoid teacher layoffs.   So before someone comes and cries you a river about their money problems, ask them what have they done lately for you and your tax dollars.

You may not be surprised at the answer you get.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 25, 2010 (boomark / email).