Catch-22: n. - a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule (Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary)
In his State of the State Address on Tuesday, Governor Frank O'Bannon presented Hoosier educators with a whopper.
O'Bannon profiled three Hoosier sixth-graders - fourth-graders when he took office two years ago - calling them the "embodiment of our commitment to Hoosier families." To O'Bannon, the fundamental questions were, "Have we done our best for them? Have we kept our commitment?"
The answers, Gov. O'Bannon, are no.
O'Bannon aimed for Hoosier hearts, discussing state family services and health insurance for low-income children. He even discussed adopting "a comprehensive strategy for preschool through college so that our children's earliest learning results in their success in college and later in life."
But does "our best" and "commitment" include cutting or flatlining the education budget? No.
Last year, Hoosiers saw Gov. O'Bannon enact budget cuts in education, cuts that took millions from the state's budget and funded institutions such as Ball State. Educators have not forgotten.
While O'Bannon said he is done making budget cuts, he announced that budgets for schools will remain the same as their budgets for this year. This means schools won't see any more money any time soon. O'Bannon even denounced new taxes, saying "we will live within our means."
"That way," O'Bannon said, "when our financial picture improves, we will be ready to take that important, next step."
Gov. O'Bannon, how can our financial picture improve when you won't do anything but cut and flatline?
"Believe me: I'm well aware that, at the very time when all of us are asking our public schools and universities to do more - we cannot give them more resources to do it."
If Gov. O'Bannon wants to commit his best to students in Indiana, he can't expect education to run on low funding. Returning the money he cut from education would be a good place to start.
If he wants his goals to come to fruition, he can't present such a catch-22 and expect education to improve on its own.
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