Dear Friends,

This election could determine the survival of public education in Indiana.  The plan to give ESAs to all parents in a “universal voucher” system has already been presented by Senator Mishler.  The disastrous consequences of universal ESAs were detailed in the previous Statehouse Notes #388.  

To survive, public education must have strong support from more legislators. This fact is the focus of a recent opinion piece written by ICPE board member, Dr. Tony Lux.

 A “Candidate Pledge” to support public education is found on the website of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education.

The pledge, signed by 32 candidates for the Indiana General Assembly thus far, says:

ICPE Candidate Pledge

As a state-level elected official, I pledge that I will:

☑️  Prioritize traditional public schools when funding education.

☑️  Reject any proposed universal voucher systems.

☑️  Reject further expansions of voucher programs (Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, SGO scholarships, the Indiana Educational Scholarship Account Program, etc.).

☑️  Support fiscally conservative spending caps on voucher programs.

☑️  Ensure a consistent standard of transparency, accountability, and oversight for all entities receiving K-12 funding from taxpayers.

All who believe that public education is absolutely vital for our democracy and for our communities should vote for the candidates who have signed the pledge!

Then pass this list to your friends and family!

For your convenience, the list of 32 on the ICPE website links you to the website of each candidate.

Here are their names, their district and general location and their opponent in the election:

(Note: Sen. Indicates Incumbent Senator.  Rep. Indicates Incumbent House Representative)

On mobile, rotate device to horizontal for easier reading.

Averting the slow dismantlement of public education in Indiana through ESAs is at stake in this election.  Please share the word and vote for candidates who signed the pledge!

Thank you for your active support of public education in Indiana!

Best wishes,

Vic Smith      vic790@aol.com

About Vic’s Statehouse Notes and ICPE…

Vic’s Statehouse Notes and ICPE received one of three Excellence in Media Awards presented by Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization of over 85,000 women educators in seventeen countries. The award was presented on July 30, 2014 during the Delta Kappa Gamma International Convention held in Indianapolis. Thank you Delta Kappa Gamma!

ICPE has worked since 2011 to promote public education in the Statehouse and oppose the privatization of schools. We rely on memberships to help support ICPE lobbying efforts and outreach across the state. Our lobbyist Joel Hand represented ICPE extremely well in the 2024 short session. We need all ICPE members to renew their membership if they have not done so. We also welcome new members and general donations. We need your help and the help of your colleagues who support public education! Please pass the word!

Visit ICPE’s website at www.indianacoalitionforpubliced.org/join for membership and renewal information and for full information on ICPE efforts on behalf of public education. Thanks!

Some readers have asked about my background in Indiana public schools.  Thanks for asking!  Here is a brief bio:

I am a lifelong Hoosier and began teaching in 1969.  I served as a social studies teacher, curriculum developer, state research and evaluation consultant, state social studies consultant, district social studies supervisor, assistant principal, principal, educational association staff member, and adjunct university professor.   I worked for Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools, the Indiana University Social Studies Development Center, the Indiana Department of Education, the Indianapolis Public Schools, IUPUI, and the Indiana Urban Schools Association, from which I retired as Associate Director in 2009.  I hold three degrees: B.A. in Ed., Ball State University, 1969; M.S. in Ed., Indiana University, 1972; and Ed.D., Indiana University, 1977, along with a Teacher’s Life License and a Superintendent’s License, 1998.  In 2013 I was honored to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award from the IU School of Education, and in 2014 I was honored to be named to the Teacher Education Hall of Fame by the Association for Teacher Education – Indiana.  In April of 2018, I was honored to receive the 2018 Friend of Education Award from the Indiana State Teachers Association.