Pence Wants 2015 General Assembly To Be An 'Education Session'

Gov. Mike Pence says he wants the 2015 meeting of the General Assembly to be an “education session.”  The budget he proposed Thursday shares that focus.

Pence’s proposed budget contains a $200 million increase in K-12 school funding over the next two years. That includes about $41 million specifically set aside for charter schools.  Office of Management and Budget Director Chris Atkins says that money would be used to increase per pupil funding by $1,500 dollars and would reduce inequity between funding of charters and traditional public schools.

“We’re concerned that some higher quality charter operators are not willing to look at locating here or investing here because of our charter financing system,” Atkins said.

The governor’s budget also includes increased funding for teacher performance grants and greater investment in career and technical education.  The proposal does not expand the state’s preschool pilot program, instead holding it steady at ten million dollars a year.