Yesterday, Governor Braun signed into law a tax reform bill that included language to address the nearly $100 million funding gap impacting students in public charter schools. This policy, which was originally in Senate Bill 518, will lead to a fairer funding structure as property taxes get shared equitably across all public school types starting in 2028.
Before this passed, the funding gap between school types was nearly $8,000 per child, totaling more than $100 million across the system. That gap will now be almost entirely closed. This is life changing for the tens of thousands of students in IPS boundaries who have been attending schools that receive significantly less funding.
As you may know, I joined several other parents and community members and spoke up during the legislative session. I went to the statehouse to tell legislators why I believe the students in our public charter schools deserved to have the same opportunities at school as students who attend our traditional public schools. I’m really happy that lawmakers listened, and I want to thank advocates and parents who stood with me and parents like me this session. It wasn’t easy for me to speak up, but I’m glad I did. I hope these funding changes, which will be phased in over the next four years, helps students like mine have fair opportunities at school that they wouldn’t have had.