NEWS

Five education bills to watch in 2016

Emma Kate Fittes
efittes@muncie.gannett.com

So far state senators have proposed 10 education-related bills during the first wave of submissions last week. And there is the potential for more after the session begins Jan. 5.

Here are five of those proposed education bills worth watching in 2016:

1. School and teacher performance (SB 4)

This bill could ease fears about the impact of low standardized testing scores on school rankings and teacher salary. Many schools are expecting a lower A-F performance grade this year after seeing a widespread drop in initial 2014-15 ISTEP scores.

Authored by Sen. Mark Stoops (D-Bloomington), it proposes that schools' 2014-15 grade be the higher of its 2013-14 and 2014-15 grades. Whichever year they choose, those ISTEP scores would be used for employee evaluations for this 2015-16 year.

Superintendents: A-F grades 'flawed,' 'useless'

The bill also proposes a performance grant to be given to schools, with the dollar amount depending on the number of passing ISTEP scores.

2. Protected taxes and school corporations (SB 34)

School districts would be able to spread out revenue losses from tax caps as the district sees fit with this bill, authored by Sen. Tim Lanane (D-Anderson). It adds a subsection to the "protected taxes" law, excusing schools from putting money toward debt first.

In 2015, the protected taxes law caused three schools to lose money in their unprotected funds for capital projects and transportation, according to the bill's financial impact statement. Another 13 districts lost at least 50 percent of those funds.

Currently, 67 districts are using a protected taxes waiver — which ends this year — to spread out the losses. At least half of those schools would have to severely cut or get rid of busing without the waiver, or another solution.

While one representative was planning a bill to extend the waiver, Lanane's does not mention one and instead says districts must adopt a resolution certifying the different allocation of money.

Legislators to decide future of busing

3. Teacher salary scales (SB 10)

More salary increases could be available to teachers with less than 10 years of experience with this bill, authored by Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Centerville).

It states that, for teachers with less than 10 years, experience can't be more than 58 percent of the calculation to determine a pay increase. For teachers with more than 10 years, it can't be more than 33 percent.

While a greater percentage of the budget for salary increases may go to less experienced teachers, this bill does not allot more money. So if more teachers are eligible, the salary increase per teacher could decline, according to the bill's fiscal impact statement.

4. School curriculum (SB 73)

This bill would bring cursive writing back to every school district and accredited non-public elementary school. Authored by Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg), it also adds reading to the list of subjects required in a school's curriculum.

Previously, the law included English, grammar and speech, but not reading.

5. Single-sex facilities (SB 35)

Schools would have to continue to designate facilities — including locker rooms, restrooms or showers — as male or female, and students would have to use the one assigned to their biological gender.

The bill, authored by Sen. James Tomes, would make it a Class A misdemeanor if a male knowingly entered a single-sex public facility designated for females, and vice versa.

Legislators focus on education for 2016

Contact families & education reporter Emma Kate Fittes at 765-213-5845 and follow @EmmaKate_TSP