FORT WAYNE, IN (Indiana's NewsCenter) --- As if they weren't anxious enough, Indiana's public school administrators are being forced to look to the state legislature for new authority to try and address the burdens of big education funding cuts.
The Indiana General Assembly isn’t considering turning over more money to schools, but rather House Bill 1367 seeks to allow schools more freedom to move existing money around to take care of pressing needs.
The bill would allow schools to transfer five percent of the cash in their capital project funds over to their general fund, so it could be used to pay for things like teacher salaries.
The measure would even permit a transfer of up to 10 percent for districts where teachers forgo certain pay raises.
In the case of East Allen County Schools, administrators there estimate the provision could free up $700,000 to deal with a projected $4-million shortfall.
State Sen. David Long/(R) Senate President Pro Tem: " With the state revenues right now, even though our schools are better off than most around the country, we're still hurting and we want to make sure that no teachers are laid off, and they don't have to be."
State Rep. Phyllis Pond/(R) 85th District: " Well, we want to give them the flexibility to move some of the money they have to other operating expenses, during this downturn in the economy."
But there’s a complication in getting a school-funding bill approved.
Republicans and Democrats are butting heads over how to settle a dispute over unemployment insurance taxes to businesses.
Republicans want to postpone scheduled increases in unemployment insurance premiums to businesses, because the economy is so bad.
But House Democrats, who are intent on getting new tax credits as a way to encourage companies to hire new workers, are holding their support on postponing the tax hikes.
A deal must get done before the session ends, which by the state constitution must occur no later than Sunday.
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