FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Belinda Drake Statement on Cutting School Funding During the Pandemic
Indianapolis, IN – (August 14, 2020) On Wednesday, Governor Holcomb re-announced that he believes Indiana School Corporations should be fully funded during the COVID pandemic while continuing to postpone his responsibility to develop a cohesive back to school plan for schools across the state that provides guidance and funding through the pandemic. Even more, Senator Bray notably waffled on the statement he gave less than a week earlier via his ‘letter to school leaders’ when he claimed that Indiana School Corporations would receive 85% of their per student ADM based funding for virtual instruction during the pandemic.
In my July 13 statement on Back to School and Work During the Pandemic, I called on Governor Holcomb to build a broad-based coalition of educators, healthcare professionals, and those most impacted by in-person pandemic education so he can leverage their expertise to create a viable plan that includes guidance on funding solutions.
Furthermore, I’ve stood in solidarity with other leaders in the statehouse who have called on the Governor to convene a special session of the state legislature to properly address pandemic education realities including proper funding.
The Governor has a $2.3 billion surplus waiting for a ‘rainy day’ just like this. He has the power to call a special session and has repeatedly chosen to consolidate executive power instead. He has a Supermajority of legislators who can get the job done if they were only expected to do their job. Instead of leading on this issue and doing the work he and legislators were elected to do, he insists that pandemic education problems can be fixed by Dr. McCormick and the State Board of Education just by their changing the date on some ADM paperwork.
Moving deadlines around on paper is not a viable solution to the lived experience of Hoosier kids, educators, and school communities.
Hoosier values require us to take responsibility for reality, especially when times are as tough as they are now. The people expect State Legislators to do their job.
Governor Holcomb, it’s time to convene a special session to properly and legally address these critical pandemic education issues. Let’s get to work and do the right thing for Hoosier kids.
Learn more about Belinda Drake’s revitalized platform at www.belindadrake.com/platform.
To learn more about Belinda Drake’s campaign for Indiana State Senate or to get started as a volunteer in the Field Captain program, visit www.belindadrake.com and connect with the campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #BelieveINBelinda.
About Belinda Drake for Indiana State Senate:
Belinda Drake is a progressive Democratic candidate for Indiana State Senate in District 32. Committed to putting people over politics, Belinda will serve her communities with a bold and inclusive vision to bring positive change and progress for the people of Senate District 32 and for all Hoosiers. Belinda was born and raised in Gary, IN, and has been a resident and member of the far eastside Indianapolis community for the last 3 years. Belinda graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in political science and a minor in legal studies from IUPUI and has worked on the campaign trail for United States Congressman Andre Carson, Indiana State Senator J.D. Ford, City Councilor Crista Carlino, and many other Democratic party candidates at the state and local levels. Belinda has served on the board for the Indiana Stonewall Democrats, as the treasurer for the Lawrence Township Democrats, and as the 7th District Chair for the Indiana Young Democrats. Belinda currently serves as the Racial Justice & Diversity Coordinator for Indiana NOW (National Organization for Women), and as a National Delegate for the Indiana Democratic Party to the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
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