The state has tied schools’ hands

To the editor:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you have been duped, not by Jay School Corporation superintendent Jeremy Gulley, nor by your school board.

I read the article in the Feb. 19 edition of The Commercial Review, a quote by board president Phil Ford: “None of us will be reelected to the Jay School Board.”

That has played over and over in my mind.

I know you are frustrated, I’m frustrated, Bob Lyons is frustrated, your board and superintendent are frustrated. 

I attended a meeting Feb. 26 sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Henry County. One of the speakers was Jennifer McCormick, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and yes, she is frustrated, to the point of not running for re-election.

Citizens of Jay County, you should be outraged, not at your superintendent or board. It’s time to aim your frustration and outrage in the right direction, directly at Gov. Eric Holcomb, State Sen. Travis Holdman and State Rep. J.D. Prescott. 

It is the past three governors and the state legislators who have slowly and consistently failed to adequately fund public schools. Doubt my statement, consider the following examples.

First, an excerpt from a column that appeared in the Feb. 9 edition of The Commercial Review by Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business & Economic Research at Ball State University.

Hicks writes in the last paragraph: “By weakening the college preparatory focus and shifting funding away from K-12, we have created a workforce less well-prepared for disruptions than they were a decade ago. The final takeaway is that when Kentucky is outperforming your state in human capital policies, it’s time to do something different.”

Second, again in The Commercial Review on Dec. 22 was a column that noted that Indiana teachers start their career with a lower average starting salary than the national average and below the average starting salary of each of the four border states. Then, as their careers progress, Indiana teachers fall farther behind their counterparts. 

Or finally, my favorite, “Property tax caps and public education” printed Sept. 20, 2016, in the Kokomo Perspective and available online. Kokomo schools, like the Jay School Corporation, are experiencing staggering loss of funds from the state.

“For Kokomo School Corporation, the circuit breaker losses have grown exponentially since they were first experienced in 2010 when financial losses were $747,161. For 2016, the losses were $3,639,424. For 2017, Indiana’s Department of Local Government Finance has informed the school corporation that losses from circuit breaker are likely to be more staggering.”

Same article, next paragraph. “The news just continues to grow worse each year. As the State of Indiana continues to increase revenue and shift taxes to its coffers, local schools and local government entities are seeing reductions. As Indiana continues to boast about $2 billion dollars in savings, as evidenced by large billboards placed around the perimeter of the State as a beacon to those from Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan, local schools and local governments are struggling.”

Given the above information, I hope you see the superintendent and school board had few options. But you can help.

What can you do?

First, understand the 2019 Indiana General Assembly is currently working on a budget that will guide spending for the next two years. Speak up now or forget it until 2021.

Second, the legislature is sitting on $2 billion in the rainy day fund. At the same time, it has choked off your Jay School Corporation and others around the state. 

Third, there is no substitute for voicing support for public schools around this state. To contact Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office, call (317) 232-4567. To leave a message for Sen. Travis Holdman call (800) 382-9467. And to leave a message for John (J.D.) Prescott, call (800) 382-9842. Feel free to call often.

The last paragraph from an editorial from the Tribune Star (Terre Haute) in The Commercial Review on Jan. 5 titled went like this, “Government is at its best when people are engaged and involved. Lawmakers work for you. Don’t be shy about letting them know your opinions.”

Phil Zicht

Winchester