March 14, 2025

Dear Carmel Clay Schools Families,

As you may be aware, there are several proposed state legislative bills that could significantly impact public education in Indiana. Among the most substantial are Senate Bill 1, which addresses property taxes, and HB 1001, which is the Budget Bill that includes state funding for schools. While we remain cautiously optimistic that these bills will evolve in a positive direction, it’s important to acknowledge the concerns many in our community are feeling about potential funding cuts.

We are actively engaged with our local legislators and deeply appreciate their ongoing, productive conversations about how to best support our schools and community. As the final versions of SB 1 & HB 1001 take shape, we want to emphasize how vital appropriate school funding is to maintain the quality of education in CCS and across the state. The proposed bills, as currently written, would lead to drastic cuts that could potentially lead to a reduction in staff, larger class sizes, and/or reduced programming. The current version of HB1001 would result in little or no pay increases for our educators.

In addition to SB 1, we are also closely monitoring Senate Bill 287, which could require school board candidates to declare a political party affiliation. While proposed amendments may allow party affiliation to be optional, we believe it is critical to preserve the integrity of our school board races by keeping them free from political influences. Anything less than this protection could undermine the nonpartisan nature of our schools.

We understand that these are concerning issues, and we urge you to stay informed and engaged. As always, we are grateful for your continued support and commitment to the success of our students. I encourage you to share your thoughts with your legislators, ensuring that the voice of our community is heard during this important time.

Thank you for your partnership as we work together to safeguard the future of Carmel Clay Schools.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Beresford
Superintendent, Carmel Clay Schools