STATEHOUSE (Sept. 22, 2009) - A new interim committee charged with reviewing the distribution of education dollars across Indiana will commence work this week, according to Sen. Gary Dillon (R-Columbia City).

Dillon, vice-chairman of the Interim Study Committee on the School Funding Formula, said members will hear public testimony at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Room 404 of the Statehouse in Indianapolis.  
  
"Our goal is to ensure the state has a school funding formula that balances students' needs with community and state resources," Dillon said. "We look forward to hearing from parents, school officials and community leaders on how Indiana can best distribute education dollars."

Committee members will meet this interim and next summer before the General Assembly considers another biennial budget in 2011. The committee will conduct a comprehensive review of how the state distributes education dollars to rural, suburban and urban school corporations.

"Our overall review will include looking at funding for children living in poverty, having special education needs and lacking English-speaking skills," Dillon said. "School funding makes up a large part of the state's budget. It is necessary for lawmakers to drill down and make certain those funds are distributed as fairly and effectively as possible."

Dillon said Indiana's funding of public education, including teacher pensions, K-12 operations, and higher education projects, makes up 64 percent of the state's budget.

If you cannot attend, but would like to watch the meeting live via the Internet, please visit http://mediaserver.ihets.org/waysandmeans.

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