How Indiana's budget will impact Marion County schools
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Illustration: Rebecca Zisser/Axios
Public schools were saved from budget cuts as lawmakers wrestled with closing a $2 billion shortfall in the final week of the legislative session.
Why it matters: Schools will see a financial hit from the property tax overhaul, Senate Enrolled Act 1, that's already been signed into law.
- Many school leaders were afraid that lawmakers would have to look at K-12 schools, the largest chunk of the state budget, when it came time to make up the historic gap in state revenue.
Yes, but: They cut from public health, higher education and elsewhere instead.
The big picture: Schools will get a 2% increase each year of the biennial budget.
- That doesn't include an additional appropriation for curricular material that used to be a separate line item but is being rolled into the funding formula.
Zoom in: That 2% is a statewide average. It can vary widely from district to district, depending on demographics and enrollment trends.
What they're saying: Denny Costerison, with the Indiana Association of School Business Officials, said he was pleasantly surprised to see K-12 education funding protected in the budget deal.
- "It's very good for us … with the revenue forecast and where we could have been," he said.
Here's how it breaks down each year of the budget for Marion County's 11 districts:
- Beech Grove Schools: $25.6 million in 2026 (1.1% increase from 2025) and $25.8 million in 2027 (0.5% increase from 2026)
- Decatur Township Schools: $57.6 million (1.3%) and $58.1 million (0.9%)
- Franklin Township Schools: $96 million (4.4%) and $99.2 million (3.4%)
- Indianapolis Public Schools: $284.8 million (2.3%) and $290.2 million (1.9%)
- Lawrence Township Schools: $144.9 million (2.1%) and $148.4 million (2.4%)
- Perry Township Schools: $146.2 million (2.5%) and $148.3 million (1.5%)
- Pike Township Schools: $92.4 million (2.4%) and $93.3 million (1%)
- Speedway Schools: $14.7 million (1.8%) and $14.8 million (0.7%)
- Warren Township Schools: $104.2 million (1.6%) and $105.9 million (1.6%)
- Washington Township Schools: $98.8 million (3.7%) and $100.9 million (2.1%)
- Wayne Township Schools: $142.8 million (1.1%) and $144.2 million (1%)
What's next: The Indiana General Assembly is expected to wrap up the 2025 legislative session Thursday evening, with a final vote on the budget.