School board approves budget plan for 2021-2022 school year

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- Major changes are coming to the South Bend Community School Corporation’s budget, after school leaders met Monday night to approve new plans for the 2021-2022 school year.

The transportation budget will see an $800,000 decrease to their budget. School leaders say while this sounds like a steep cut, it's not as bad as it sounds, because with some of the money will come from different funds within the corporation.

“The goal is to really look at what we’re doing and sure up on efficiencies in transportation which bring about cost savings,” SBCSC Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Kareemah Fowler said.

One thing that isn’t taking a hit though, is teacher salaries. In fact, the approved budget will allocate $3.1 million to increase teacher pay. The board also approved the district’s Bus Replacement Program.

Teachers won't be the only ones benefitting from the approved plans either, students are also at the center of all of the budget changes. $2.1 million will be going towards academic and literacy support to provide more resources and options for students throughout the school year.

“It pays for mechanics, equipment, engineers, and everything associated. Gas and all of that, everything associated with getting students back and forth to school," Fowler said.

It's something Superintendent of Business and Finance Kareemah Fowler says will cover any concerns parents may have about access to transportation.

“We are doing that in an effort for one because they deserve it, for two to stay competitive because the market is what it is,” Fowler