Indiana Coalition for Public Education–Monroe County                               
Contact: Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer, Chair                                        
Cell Phone: 812-320-4400
Email: tojanama.cathy@gmail.com
 
September 4, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
INDIANA COALITION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION PRESENTS FORUM FOR LOCAL LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES
House candidates (Districts 46, 60, 61, 62, and 65) will introduce themselves, answer audience questions
 
 
Bloomington, Indiana—Legislative candidates for five Indiana House seats will share their views on education at a forum on Wednesday, September 12, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., in the Monroe County Public Library auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Avenue in Bloomington.

Local races matter to the future of public education in Indiana because state legislators are responsible for the oversight and funding of our public school system. In the last couple years, Indiana legislators have removed voters’ power to elect the state superintendent, taken over the school systems of Gary and Muncie—exempting those systems from hundreds of state laws—and shifted decisions about the high school curriculum away from the Department of Education and toward the Department of Workforce Development. Moreover, more than $1 billion in public education funds has been sent to charter schools since 2011, while private schools have received $685 million in the same period through vouchers. Laws have also emphasized high-stakes testing and grading of schools while lowering standards for teachers and administrators.
 
Candidates who will participate in Monday’s forum include Thomasina Marsili (House 46), Penny Githens (60), Matt Pierce (61), Amy Swain (62), and Jared Stancombe (65). As of this writing, we have received no response from incumbents Bob Heaton, Peggy Mayfield, Jeff Ellington, or Chris May.
 
After introducing themselves and identifying the education issues that they see as pressing, candidates will answer questions from the audience in a moderated format. Questions for candidates may also be submitted in advance to icpe.mc@gmail.com.
 
This event is organized by the Indiana Coalition for Public Education–Monroe County (icpe-monroecounty.org/). 
 
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For further information, please contact Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer at 812-320-4400.