This story was originally published by Public News Service
By Terri Dee, producer
Public News Service
May 11, 2026
As Indiana school districts wrap up the academic year, some teachers see little hope for salary raises.
Administrators grappling with budget cuts and declining enrollment figures have announced teacher layoffs and fewer instructional resources for the 2026-2027 school year.
Indiana’s average starting salary for new teachers is $45,000, while the average pay for experienced teachers is $59,000. The National Education Association says that falls short of the estimated living wage for a single adult in Indiana.
NEA President Becky Pringle acknowledged the pay increase efforts, but said educators still earn less today than they did 10 years ago, creating a ripple effect.
“And that has real consequences, not just for educators, but for our students, our schools, our communities,” said Pringle. “Because when educators struggle, schools struggle, when schools struggle, students struggle.”
Indianapolis Public Schools, Noblesville, Rush County, and Hamilton Southeastern school districts have announced staffing reductions for the next school year, citing funding gaps. The districts are considering future tax referendums to address budget shortfalls.
Last year, hundreds of teachers protested at the statehouse in opposition of Senate Enrolled Act 1, a property tax reform bill that would ultimately cost Indiana school districts $744 million by 2028.
GOP leaders say homeowners need relief. But Pringle noted that when states are more proactive in areas like collective bargaining rights, they consistently show higher pay for teachers, support professionals, and higher-ed faculty.
“When educators can come together, advocate for themselves, and negotiate for the resources they need, it leads to better pay,” said Pringle. “It leads to better working conditions, and ultimately, it leads to better learning conditions for our students.”
Pringle added that her organization’s efforts go beyond salary increases. Attracting and retaining the next generation of educators and ensuring every student has access to qualified, dedicated professionals in classrooms are other priorities.
She called on leaders to act with urgency and recognize that strengthening public education begins with supporting the people who make it possible.
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