Issue Position: Our Public Schools

Issue Position

Indiana ranks last in the nation for teacher pay increases with the last increase in 2002. With the salary being the lowest in the Midwest, and all of our neighbors paying an average $14,000 more per year, we are not positioning ourselves well to retain and attract talent. More than a decade of tinkering with the system has led us to this point. We must restore K-12 public education funding that was cut in 2009 and specifically allocate funding to school corporations for teacher pay.

Ensure our children are provided a safe and inspiring environment on their way to, from and during school. Equip bus drivers and classrooms with the tools and support necessary to succeed, including updates to safety. Equip schools with enough counselors to address the needs of all students. These professionals are trained to provide psychological support to students facing emotional stress and challenges, reduce threatening situations by identifying troubled students and providing aid, and teach social skills by building relationships with classmates and teachers. The Center for Education Statistics ranked Indiana 42nd in the nation in student-to-counselor ratio in 2013.

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