INDIANAPOLIS — With election day now just a few months away, democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Woody Myers and running mate Linda Lawson unveiled what they're calling a plan to revamp K-12 education in Indiana.
"If you ask 15,000 to 20,000 teachers who descended upon the state capital this past fall, they would tell you the same thing. It's inadequately funded, salaries are too low, there's incessant testing, we're wasting money in a variety of areas," Myers said.
Myers said the state needs to increase funding for more school nurses, social workers and counselors, and give teachers a raise.
Where's that money coming from?
"The state budget is very, very large. Many billions of dollars. And what we're gonna have to do is set new priorities," he said. "And that means we're going to have to go through that budget with a fine tooth comb and push the pause button on some programs that are not as important as K-12 education."
He said Indiana should pause school vouchers, guarantee universal pre-K and make sure high-need schools are getting a more equitable share of state funding.
How would he work with a Republican-controlled Legislature?
"By collaboration and helping everyone get on the same page," Myers said. "I'm a believer that the day the election is over, that's when you put your 'R' in our right pocket and your 'D' in your left pocket, and you do what's right for the citizens of the state."
Earlier this month, Governor Eric Holcomb's campaign began airing TV ads statewide. A spokesperson for the Myers campaign didn't say specifically when or how much it would spend on TV.
"Reaching as many voters as possible is Dr. Myers' number one priority—the campaign will continue to reach people at home in a variety of ways with Dr. Myers' message of putting people over politics," said Communications Director Lindsay Haake.
The governor will play an even more crucial role in public education beginning next year. That's because the Superintendent of Public Instruction will no longer be an elected position, but appointed by the governor.
The Myers/Lawson Plan:
• Increase funding for more school nurses, social workers, and counselors
• Improve access to technology and broadband at home
• Work with the Indiana State Board of Education to ensure the Indiana Academic Standards include culturally sensitive material and appropriate career-readiness training
• Implement training on culturally-responsive, trauma-informed practices and implicit bias for teachers to be better prepared for culturally diverse classrooms
• Institute a single accountability system for all public school models that is equitable and transparent
• Streamline testing to put the focus on improving student academic results by subgroups and utilize test results to support at-risk schools
• Pause new charter schools until we can level the playing field and improve accountability standards
• Put public funding back in public schools by placing a pause on vouchers
• Protect education budget from future cuts
• Improve compensation to attract and retain teachers
• Guarantee quality, universal pre-K and require Kindergarten
• Ensure proper funding reaches our most vulnerable student populations
• Ensure more equitable distribution of funds and resources so high-need schools are receiving appropriate levels of support
• Reduce achievement gaps for marginalized students through additional tutoring supports and school resources
• End the school-to-prison pipeline by ensuring age and developmentally appropriate approach to school disciplinary practices and youth justice are fair and prioritize improving student outcomes.
Holcomb Response:
A spokeswoman for the Holcomb campaign responded, mentioning the 'historic' $1.6-billion in new funding for K-12 education in Indiana since 2017.
"When it comes to educating Hoosiers, Governor Holcomb isn't just talking – he's leading the way with more funding, more access and greater opportunities," said Press Secretary Holly Lawson. "That ranges from our youngest, with grants for high-quality Pre-K available in every Indiana county, to adults, with more than 10,000 Hoosiers now skilled-up for high-wage, in-demand careers through Next Level Jobs."
Lawson said the state also paid off a teacher pension liability in 2019 and said 98 percent of school districts reported increasing teacher pay.
"Governor Holcomb's commitment to our students continues as he leads Indiana through this pandemic," Lawson said. "While state tax revenues are down, the governor announced that a $182 million scheduled budget increase to K-12 schools in 2021 will continue. In addition, a $61.6 million grant program is supporting remote learning for schools."
