ISTA calls for action on public school funding and educator working conditions
11/16/2020

At a news conference today, ISTA President Keith Gambill announced key priorities for the 2021 General Assembly, including on public education funding and educator working conditions.

ISTA is calling on lawmakers to keep their promises to fully and equitably fund public schools and pay teachers as professionals.

“The state must ensure that students do not pay the price in this pandemic, nor can we afford to fall further behind on addressing teacher pay,” said Gambill.

ISTA is also calling for the legislature to restore teachers’ bargaining rights on workload issues such as hours, days, prep time and class size. The Association shared the results of a survey that included a dire warning of worsening the state’s teacher shortage if more isn’t done to address workloads and educator burnout.

“For too long, educator voice has been silenced in shaping student learning conditions and educator working conditions,” said Gambill. “Our educators are doing an amazing job for our students, working long hours — mostly uncompensated. Indiana’s lawmakers must act before Indiana’s teacher shortage is worsened.”

Gambill was joined at the news conference by ISTA members Amy Foley, Jack Hesser and T. Washington. In addition to the priorities outlined today, ISTA will release its full legislative priorities next month.