Senators Tout Legislation That Gives More Flexibility to Schools

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - In an effort to save money and create more flexibility, a trio of state senators have introduced legislation to allow local schools to choose how best to use state mandated professional development and parent-teacher conference days.Under Senate Bill 544, which is co-authored by State Senators Lindel Hume (D-Princeton), Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute) and Sue Errington (D-Muncie), school corporations would be given the authority to dismiss students for three full days instead of six half days, which is current law.
"This bill benefits both educators and parents," said Errington, a retired teacher and member of the Senate's Education and Career Development Committee. "It gives educators the flexibility to determine how best to meet their professional development needs, and it makes it easier for parents to arrange for childcare if their children are out of school for the whole day, rather than a half day."
"Half days can be frustrating for teachers," said Skinner, who is a high school teacher in Terre Haute. "It's difficult to get everything done and to hold the student's attention when they are anticipating half a day off. This bill will lead to less disrupted learning, which is better for students."
School corporations would also save money if they choose to have three full days of professional development instead of six half days.
"The cost of transportation is a serious issue," said Hume. "This bill could save school corporations over eight million dollars if they choose to have three full days on and three full days off for students instead of six half days."
Senate Bill 544 has been assigned to the Senate's Committee on Education and Career Development, where it awaits a hearing.
For more information on Sen. Hume, Sen. Skinner, Sen. Errington, their legislative agendas or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit http://www.senatedemocrats.IN.gov.

Source: Senate Democrat News Press Release

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