With the Indiana General Assembly ending its session this year on April 29, many of the education bills that will influence Carmel Clay Schools will be finalized.

“It’s very difficult to know what the final language is,” Superintendent Jeff Swensson said regarding the wording of the bills still in the process of being passed. In addition, the final budget passed this session could indirectly alter the money allotted for education in some of the bills. But nothing is for certain until the General Assembly adjourns its session.

“The voucher bill will have the indirect effect of taking away some dollars from Carmel Clay Schools and every school potentially,” he said. “We’re just not sure how to calculate (the money).”

House Bill 1003, the voucher bill passed on April 21, allots taxpayer money to help pay private school tuition for lower-income students.

Student Body President Jeremy Weprich said via email that the voucher bill would help aid those families that are struggling in their current situation. But he also realized that the budget poses limitations for every family to take advantage of the bill and that such educational endeavors should be postponed until Indiana’s financial outlook is more stable.

Weprich said, “While choice is an important element of success in education, our system cannot foster such a widespread effort.” By Steven Chen <[email protected]>