By Tim Ashley
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Administrators breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing there will be no school funding cuts in the state budget. Clearly funding cuts would have piled even more stress upon the stress already existing the last few months.

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday, June 17, the state would proceed with its normal budget plan and that would include an overall increase in school funding for some school districts.

Dr. Tom Edington, superintendent of the Wawasee Community School Corporation, commented on the decision to not cut school funding. “I was thrilled to know that our state school funding would be preserved for the coming year. The state is experiencing shortfalls in tax collections, and still promised to assist schools at their present levels.

“We are preparing for a safe and productive 2020-21 school year and are grateful that budget reductions aren’t being made at this time.”

Wawasee is not expecting an increase in state funding this year and Edington noted “we have declined a little in funding over the past few years as enrollment in rural school districts declined.”

Dr. Jennifer McCormick, state superintendent of public instruction, released the following statement: “I am pleased our state decision makers will not cut funding from Indiana K-12 education. The department’s recommendation to not penalize schools for virtual options was also granted. Schools will have one less stressor as they continue to educate our students during this unprecedented time.”