Fact vs. Fiction: The State is Funding Education at the Highest Level Ever
“Avon shouldn’t need a referendum because I saw that the Indiana State Legislature ‘increased K-12 funding by $640 million – a 5% increase and the highest funding level to date for Hoosier students’.”
Don’t believe the chatter. When Indiana leaders tout broad state-level increases in education funding, it’s important to understand all that is included and how that information fails to translate to adequate increases in state funding to traditional public schools — particularly Avon.
When taking all these factors into account, ACSC’s per-student funding is projected to increase 1.8% this year and 1.5% next year – well below inflation.
The final “school run” of the state budget reflects an increase in K-12 education funding of $619,427,699. However, a deeper dive reveals how that number does not tell the full story. Traditional public schools, such as Avon, see nowhere near the increases being touted by state lawmakers.
$177,969,319 (or 29%) of “new money” to K-12 education is being diverted by the legislature to the Choice Scholarship (voucher) program. Only 9% of Indiana students are projected to participate in that program – yet they account for 29% of new money. All told, the Indiana budget in fiscal year 2027 flows $673 million to the voucher program. Even though this is taxpayer money, it is not subject to the same regulations and accountability rules that traditional public schools must follow.
$160,000,000 (or 26%) of “new money” to K-12 education is Curricular Materials Reimbursement. These funds were previously provided to schools in a separate fund, but have now been rolled into K-12 state education funding. In other words, this is NOT new money. In fact, the state has not fully funded Curricular Materials since removing those costs from parents. Therefore, ACSC loses about $250,000 a year because of inadequate state funding.
Funding to traditional public schools is inflated based on the state’s enrollment projections. For example, the state budget assumes ACSC will grow 118 students in fiscal year 2026 and 119 students in fiscal year 2027 (leading to increased funding). Currently, our enrollment is flat from the same time last year. The state grossly overestimated ACSC enrollment growth. As a result, our funding increase projections are significantly inflated.
When taking all these factors into account, ACSC’s per-student funding is projected to increase 1.8% this year and 1.5% next year – well below inflation. That is why Avon (along with dozens of other Indiana school districts) needs a referendum.
Avon’s referendum renewal is our vital lifeline, enabling our community to cover the gap created by the state’s inadequate funding of traditional public schools.