Finding consensus, struggling with conflict at legislative halfway mark
As Indiana lawmakers prepare for the second half of the session, several key issues are awaiting further review.
Charter Schools
Articles
Indiana voucher plan could take one-third of school funding boost
More than one-third of the proposed state funding hike for Indiana schools could go toward the state’s private school voucher program under a Republican-backed plan that could boost the program’s cost by nearly 50% over the next two years.
Indiana GOP budget plan boosts school vouchers, smoking tax
Nearly one-fifth of a proposed state funding hike for Indiana’s schools would go toward expanding private school voucher and virtual school programs under a budget plan Republican legislators released Thursday.
Biden discussing COVID-19 aid with Dems, wants fast action
President Joe Biden panned a Republican alternative to his $1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan as insufficient as Senate Democrats pushed ahead, voting to launch a process that could approve his sweeping rescue package on their own, if Republicans refuse to support it.
Holcomb’s agenda calls for increasing K-12 funding, continuing existing programs
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said he will try to increase funding for K-12 education in the state’s next two-year budget and, at a minimum, restore previous funding levels for higher education institutions.
Report blames Daleville in online school enrollment fraud
State auditors have determined a central Indiana school district should repay $2.2 million for failing to properly supervise two online charter schools accused of padding their enrollments by about 14,000 students over eight years.
Senator tries again to ban Indiana vouchers over gay firings
A proposal aimed at banning private schools that discriminate against gay employees and students from receiving Indiana voucher program money is being backed by the state’s Republican school superintendent.
Reversal: Appeals court strips charter schools of $8.5M tuition judgment
Several Indiana charter schools couldn’t convince an Indiana Court of Appeals panel that they are entitled to a semester’s worth of tuition support funding, as a trial court had ruled.
School district sues Indiana over building transfer for $1
West Lafayette Community School Corp. is suing the state to protect a vacant elementary school building from being sold or leased to a charter school for $1. Charter schools can lease or buy the building for $1 if a school building is unused for two years. But the Department of Education must know beforehand, according to a 2011 law.
Charter schools, state face off in tuition dispute before appellate panel
A panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals heard arguments Monday between numerous Indiana charter schools and the state regarding several million dollars in unpaid tuition the schools say was not provided to cover costs for students.
State appeals $8.5M award to charter schools over unpaid tuition
A dispute between a group of Indiana charter schools and the state concerning unpaid tuition money will be heard next week by the Indiana Court of Appeals.
COA: Charter school suit requires tort claim notice
An Indiana trial court properly granted summary judgment in favor of a charter school organizer under the Indiana Tort Claims Act because an organizer and charter school jointly make up the statutory definition of a “charter school,” the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday. The appellate panel also upheld the constitutionality of classifying a charter school as a “governmental entity.”