The Republican candidate for Governor of Indiana has released his education plans, which he claims involve raising teacher pay while also enacting 100% school choice. We'd like to add some clarity, as his proposal is both misleading and financially irresponsible, if not impossible.
Mike Braun's plan to enact 100% "school choice" does not disclose where the state would get the funds to pay for this. Right now, only about 6% of Hoosier students are using vouchers, and it's costing the state a billion dollars just in this current budget cycle. The majority of voucher users are families who were already enrolled in private schools and already paying for it, so this means the state (we, the taxpayers) is instead picking up the tab.
Where does the money currently come from? The state General Fund, which is funded primarily by income tax and sales tax. Whether or not you have a private school in your area, your tax dollars are currently being used to fund them - even religious ones. Education comprises a major expenditure of the General Fund, and it's a worthy investment when used as promised in our state Constitution - to provide for a free public education to all. But taking money away from public schools to benefit private schools is inherently inequitable.
Teacher salaries get paid by this General Fund, while property taxes pay for school facilities and transportation. Notably, Indiana teachers are paid below national average, and adjusted for inflation, make less now than 20 years ago. So when the state subsidizes private schools - as has currently been done since 2011 - we are reducing the funds available to even maintain teacher pay, much less increase it. Further expansion of "school choice" would gobble up any surplus and necessitate increased taxes - but Mike Braun isn't going to tell you that, of course.
And, it's not really "school choice" at all when you're taking away from something the majority NEEDS to pay for something a much smaller portion of the population WANTS. Private schools don't even have to legally accept special needs students, English language learner students, or students who don't practice their religion. If a private school later expels a student, they don't have to return those dollars to the state. "School choice" is much more a system that allows schools to choose their students, rather than a system that allows students to choose their school. This means that fundamentally, marginalized students will become further marginalized, widening the achievement gap and further contributing to systemic inequities.
But here they are, getting your tax dollars.
When Mike Braun is promising to increase teacher pay, but also promises to enact 100% school choice, please note that this is simply not possible under current law and funding.
 You cannot give private schools more money and pay teachers more money when both are coming out of the same fund. Unless, of course, the plan is to unfairly distribute those funds, raise taxes, or cut services.
Jennifer McCormick, a longtime Hoosier educator, is running against Mike Braun. She is MADVoters Verified. Learn more about her plans and platform at McCormickForGov.com.
Read more about education in Indiana in our Rotten Apples series, available at madvoters.org/issues.
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