Commissioner calls for pause on funding for ISU program
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A member of the Vigo County Commissioners is asking the Vigo County Council to table a proposal that would provide funding for Indiana State University’s Early Childhood Learning program.
In a letter posted to social media Monday, Mark Clinkenbeard cited a decline in enrollment and staffing issues among the reasons for his request and also criticized the university administration’s “total disconnect from the Terre Haute community.”
ISU’s Bayh College of Education operates the university’s Early Childhood Education Center, which year-round professional care and education for children from six weeks through age five, according to ISU’s website.
The commissioners previously approved $3 million from the county’s $20 million allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funding, which Clinkenbeard said was done with some reservations, including concerns over declining enrollment.
“It was our hope that things on campus would start to improve and justify this commitment,” he said in the letter. “However, in my opinion, things have not only not improved, but by many accounts have gotten worse.”
In addition to the lower enrollment, Clinkenbeard said staff positions have been cut, creating a challenging work environment for those who are left.
ISU provided the following statement to Inside INdiana Business in response to Clinkenbeard’s letter:
“Indiana State University remains committed to driving expanded and improved opportunities for early childhood education and services in the Wabash Valley. There is a tremendous need in our community for this type of affordable and accessible programming. We look forward to engaging in the community to develop a solution.”
Clinkenbeard also criticized the university for its decision to not host the NCAA baseball super regional tournament, which “would have brought with it millions of dollars in free advertising and an opportunity to once again show off our community.”
The county council is set to vote on funding for the Early Childhood Learning program Tuesday night. Clinkenbeard asked the council to table the vote “until all parties can get together and talk about these issues.”