Indiana Deaf School Faces Staffing Crisis Amid Budget Cuts

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — The Indiana Association of the Deaf is urging state leaders for assistance after a budget crisis has forced the layoff of 26 staff members, including teachers and nurses.

The cuts are part of a $3 million reduction approved by the General Assembly this year. As a result, the association will also need to reduce housekeeping services. Staff members will now be responsible for cleaning their own classrooms and common areas, except for bathrooms.

“To cut this staff that has strong relationships with the students is not fair to our community,” said Jeffrey Spinale Jr., President of the Indiana Association of the Deaf.

The Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD) is a tuition-free public school serving deaf and hard of hearing students from preschool through 12th grade. Spinale Jr. noted, “We serve 350 students from all over the state of Indiana. If there is an emergency overnight, we don’t have any more overnight healthcare available, and staff outside of campus may have to provide emergency care.”

Among those let go were nine teachers and four substitute teachers, adding to the growing concerns about the impact on student care. The Indiana Association of the Deaf is asking Governor Mike Braun and lawmakers to restore funding to $20.4 million and provide long-term financial stability to prevent future staffing crises.

Katy Aiello, a parent whose son, Clay, is set to start kindergarten at ISD, voiced her concerns over the staffing changes. “They do a really great job trying to establish a sense of community and appreciating deaf culture,” she said. “But my family is worried the staff will be overworked. Kids boarding will not have access to a nurse at night, and the food budget cuts raise concerns about my son’s nutrition.”

Parents and staff are expressing their frustration, noting that while public schools receive increased funding, ISD is asked to do more with fewer resources. Additionally, staff members will have five fewer professional development days than other public schools in Indiana, and athletic training will also be reduced.