The Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) believes there is a path to achieving community support for an Indianapolis Education Association-supported referendum strategy. However, that path begins with demonstrating to educators, taxpayers, parents, and community stakeholders that every reasonable cost-saving measure has been identified and implemented before asking voters to approve additional tax dollars.

Faced with an estimated $20 million budget deficit, the Indianapolis Education Association (IEA), working alongside community partners and the Indiana Public Education Corporation (IPEC), has a responsibility to advocate for a comprehensive review of existing expenditures, contractual obligations, operational efficiencies, and funding inequities throughout Indianapolis' portfolio of public schools.

Before reducing educational programs, eliminating teaching positions, or asking taxpayers for additional resources, district leaders should thoroughly examine innovation school agreements, transportation service arrangements, facilities costs, administrative expenditures, and the allocation of public funds flowing to charter and innovation schools.

Many innovation and charter schools receive state funding, federal grants, philanthropic support, and other public resources while also benefiting from transportation, facilities, and operational services funded by local taxpayers. A comprehensive review is necessary to determine whether these arrangements are fiscally sustainable and equitable.

At the same time, traditional public schools continue to bear significant responsibility for serving students with disabilities and providing specialized educational services. The chronic underfunding of special education places substantial financial pressure on traditional public schools while requiring them to meet legal and educational obligations for all students.

ISTA believes a successful referendum must be built upon three principles:

• Fiscal transparency
• Accountability for all public dollars
• Protection of educator and staff positions

As currently structured, many IPS educators fear that the proposed IPS referendum could result in layoffs, school staffing reductions, and program closures. Simply put, educators should not be asked to support a referendum that could ultimately lead to the loss of educator jobs and reductions in student services.

To gain the support of teachers, school employees, and the broader community, leaders must first demonstrate that all available efficiencies have been exhausted and that new revenues will be used to strengthen, rather than diminish, public education.

The path to "Yes" begins with responsible stewardship of existing resources, transparent decision-making, and a commitment to protecting students, educators, and public schools.

That is how the Indianapolis Education Association (IEA) gets to yes.

Statement on the impact of a passage of the referendum without these steps:

While the referendum is intended to provide critical funding for Indianapolis Public Schools, financial projections indicate that IPS could still face an approximately $20 million deficit. A deficit of this magnitude would almost certainly translate into the loss of teachers, education support professionals, and student services, along with cuts to academic programs, arts, extracurricular activities, and other opportunities that students depend upon. The impact would be felt in every school through larger class sizes, fewer resources, and reduced support for students.