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Growing Indiana schools districts suing over funding

Associated Press
February 23, 2010
Keywords
Department of Education, Education & Workforce Development, Education Finance, K-12, Public schools, School funding
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Three school districts are filing a lawsuit over Indiana school-funding formula, arguing that it unfairly penalizes districts with growing enrollments.

The lawsuit is to be filed Tuesday by lawyers for the Hamilton Southeastern district in the northern suburbs of Indianapolis. It will be joined by the Franklin Township district of Indianapolis and the Middlebury Community Schools of Elkhart County.

District officials have long complained about not receiving increases in state funding to match the number of additional students.

Hamilton Southeastern Superintendent Brian Smith said the disparity in per-student funding has become so great that the lawsuit was necessary.

State Attorney General Greg Zoeller said it is a waste of taxpayer money to file a lawsuit over what is a decision for the Legislature.


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  • Stupidity
    Better schoolsFebruary 23, 2010 3:49 PM
    They sue because they can and use more governemtn money to do so. Stupidity at it's finest because they want a bailout like to too big to fails. Instead of becoming more efficient and leaner like businesses and private companies, they sue. The truth is that the better off schools can handle the cuts better than inner city schools. The state doesn't owe anyone an education-get over it. People move into high performing school districts becasue they can. Stop whining!
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  • May not entirely lunches.
    AaronFebruary 23, 2010 3:20 PM
    I did some digging - you are right in that the state does get reimbursed for this program from the fed, however it looks to be capped at $2.62 per child per day - if the cost to feed somebody two meals is $3.00, then each student has an additional burden of $0.38...not much until you multiply that by 26,000 students (per current IPS data that qualify for free lunch) and again by 180 (minimum Indiana school days per year)...$1.7M in the red.

    Additionally, I'm sure there are other services in that number assigned for IPS kids. Keep in mind, of the 33,000ish students in IPS - 1351 are actively homeless which I'm betting requires additional services.

    I understand this is not your problem or doing, but I don't think this is rewarding 'mediocrity', I think its helping those who probably have less help at home.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • It's not free/reduced lunches
    Fishers GalFebruary 23, 2010 2:58 PM
    That's a federal program, and has nothing to do with the state funding formula. It has everything to do with basically penalizing the districts that are growing and are therefore often excellent schools. By continuing to financially reward schools whose enrollments are shrinking, the state is fostering mediocrity by not fully finding the excellent districts that people flock to.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Lunches?
    AaronFebruary 23, 2010 2:23 PM
    I wonder if the disparity has anything to do with free/reduced lunches. I'm betting Marion and Lake County have a disproportionately high percentage of kids that use the program. Even at $3/student per day (breakfast and lunch), that could easily rack up close to $800 per child per year. If that is the case, I have no qualms with the disparity.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • Where's Carmel
      FrankFebruary 23, 2010 1:25 PM
      I bet they join the lawsuite as well.
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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