Asking the Legislature for a Review of the Indiana State Funding Formula for Public Education

   As citizens of Monroe County, we are asking you, members of the Indiana General Assembly, for a review of the education funding formula for the distribution of education dollars from the State of Indiana to the school districts of Indiana, as well as, a simplification of the funding formula. We would also ask specifically for a review of the amount of funds Monroe County Community Schools receive each year.

   The formula for the funding of school corporations was developed in the 1970s, and, to our knowledge, has not been reviewed or adjusted in the last 30 years even though the demographics and needs of many of Indiana’s school districts have significantly changed. MCCSC is an example of a school district that just does not receive enough funding to support our system adequately due to the complicated 30 year-old funding formula. For similar districts, MCCSC receives at least $1000 less per child. Schools in Muncie -- a district similar in demographics and geographic area, and a "university town" -- receives approximately $4.2 million more in state funding per year than MCCSC. Our students receive approximately $1400 less per child than students in Muncie. MCCSC is within the top 20 school districts in Indiana in size of district and population but is in the bottom 25 percent of funding.

   Another issue that the current funding formula does not take into account is the transportation costs for our district. MCCSC is a very large district, covering the majority of Monroe County, thus, our school buses travel over 7000 miles per day. Other counties have multiple, smaller school districts, therefore, those district’s transportation costs are much lower because those bus drivers cover only a fraction of the miles MCCSC bus drivers cover. The state funding formula does not take this expenditure into account. If our transportation costs go over budget, those costs come out of our already stretched general fund.

   Once again, we are asking the Indiana General Assembly for a review of the state funding formula for public education dollars and a simplification of the formula. If the members of the General Assembly do not believe a review and update of the funding formula is needed, we respectfully ask for additional funding for Monroe County Community School Corporation.
   We pay our taxes, and we need to see our fair share of money returned to MCCSC to educate our children. Our teachers, schools and our children's educations should not be shortchanged by a 30 year-old funding formula that is not working for our changing school district.