>> INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> COMING UP ON INDIANA NEWSDESK... STREET HOMELESSNESS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN BLOOMINGTON FOR SOME TIME, BUTTONERS ON THE SOUTH SIDE ARE SAYING IT'S NOW AFFECTING THEIR BUSINESSES.

>> A LOT OF DAYS WE COME TO WORK AND HAVE TO WORK AN HOUR JUST TO OPEN THE FRONT DOOR WITH ALL THE FOOD AND CLOTHING AND BEDDING THAT'S BEEN LEFT THERE.

>> THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WANTS TO SEE CLEARER ENFORCEMENT RULES FOR CRIMINAL TRESPASS BY THE CITY.

>> A NEW LAWS CALLS FOR THIRD GRADE STUDENTS WHO FAILED TO PASS THE I READ TEST TO BE HELD BACK.

>> IT BECOMES A PRESSURE COOKER, UNLIKE ANYTHING PEOPLE HAD SEEN FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> THE STATE ESTIMATES MORE THAN 7,000 STUDENTS COULD REPEAT 3rd GRADE THIS YEAR UNDER THE NEW PROVISIONS.

>>> REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS DISCUSS REDISTRICTS THE STATE'S U.S. HOUSE MAP.

THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT NOW ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>> WELCOME TO INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M JOE HREN.

IT APPEARS INCREASINGLY LIKELY THAT INDIANA REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WILL REDRAW THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS TO HELP REPUBLICANS PICK UP MORE SEATS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS THEY DELIVERED PETITIONS FROM ABOUT 9,000 HOOSIERS TO THE STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK OPPOSING THAT EFFORT.

>> THE PETITIONS WERE GATHERED BY GROUPS THAT INCLUDE THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF INDIANA, CONCERNED CLERGY OF INDIANAPOLIS, WOMEN FOR CHANGE INDIANA AND THE INDIANA ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS, MEGAN ROBERTSON FROM INDIANA CONSERVATION VOTERS SAYS THE MAP THEY DREW JUST FOUR YEARS AGO KEPT COMMUNITIES TOGETHER, SHE SAYS A NEW MAP WOULD SPLIT THEM APART.

>> WE KNOW THAT MOST OF THE LEGISLATORS IN THIS BUILDING KNOW THAT THIS ISN'T WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING.

>> COMMON CAUSE INDIANA'S JULIA VON SAYS REDRAWING THE DISTRICTS NOW WOULD SEND A TERRIBLE MESSAGE.

>> YOU ARE PRETTY MUCH TELLING HOOSIER VOTERS WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK, DON'T BOTHER TO SHOW UP, JUST STAY HOME, BECAUSE WE HAVE ALREADY DECIDED WHO IS GOING TO REPRESENT YOU.

>> VON SAYS THAT'S PARTICULARLY TROUBLING IN A STATE THAT ALREADY HAS SOME OF THE WORST VOTER TURNOUT AT THE COUNTRY.

BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>>> INDIANA SENATE AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS MET IN PRIVATE THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS REDISTRICTING IN THE STATE'S U.S. HOUSE CONGRESSIONAL MAP.

LAWMAKERS IN BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE DECLINED TO COMMENT ON WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS ALTHOUGH SENATOR SPENCER DREARY HAD BEEN VOCAL OPPONENTS OF REDISTRICTING.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS WHO MET WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AT THE WHITE HOUSE THREE WEEKS AGO HAVE COME OUT IN FAVOR OF THE REDISTRICTING THE STATE IN AN ATTEMPT TO PICK UP MORE REPUBLICAN SEATS IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>>> FOUR MORE WERE JOINED BY WHITNEY DOWN ERD WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE STORY FOR THE INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

THIS COMES FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REQUEST IN JULY TO REDISTRICT.

DO YOU THINK INDIANA WILL FOLLOW TEXAS NOW?

>> IT SEEMS INCREASINGLY LIKELY, WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL FORMERLY STRONG OPPONENTS KIND OF CHANGE THEIR TUNE, AND WE HAVE HAD VERY FEW WILLING TO COME OUT AND SAY, NO, WE ARE AGAINST THIS.

IT IS INCREASINGLY LOOKING LIKELY.

>> SO HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THE INDIANA HOUSE REPUBLICANS TRIP TO THE HOUSE MOVED THE NEEDLE?

>> IT WAS BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE REPUBLICANS WHO WENT OUT TO DC.

I THINK THAT IT REALLY SHARED HOW IMPORTANT OR EMPHASIZED HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO MET WITH THE LEADERS OF BOTH OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES, HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HOUSTON AND SENATE PRO-TEM RODRICK RAY.

>> YOU ALL RIGHTED THERE -- REPORTED THERE'S BEEN CONSERVATIVE GROUPS TO CONTACT REPRESENTATIVES AND PUSH FOR REDISTRICTING.

WHO IS ALL BEHIND THAT?

>> YEAH.

SO IT'S PART OF A SO-CALLED DARK MONEY GROUP THAT USUALLY JUST MEANS THAT THE DONORS ARE NOT EXACTLY VERY TRANSPARENT AND IT'S HARD TO FIND OUT WHO IS FUNDING THESE EFFORTS, BUT IT'S A VIRGINIA-BASED OUTFIT THAT IS LINKED TO A LONG-TIME REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST WHO HAS BEEN BASED IN THE DC AND, YOU KNOW, NATIONAL POLITICS FOR DECADES NOW AND THAT'S KIND OF THE MOST WE KNOW ABOUT WHO IS PUSHING IT FROM -- PUSHING ALL THESE TEXTS TO HOOSIER CELL PHONES.

>> WHAT DO POLLS SAY ABOUT REDISTRICTING, ARE THESE OFF-CYCLE REDRAWING OF MAPS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WANT?

>> SO FAR, THERE'S REALLY ONLY BEEN POLLS FROM TWO LEFT-LEANING/MODERATE ORGANIZATIONS, HOWEVER, WE DO KNOW THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING THEIR OWN POLLS BUT REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASING THAT POLL INFORMATION SO FAR SO I DON'T KNOW HOW -- WHAT THEIR NUMBERS LOOK LIKE.

FROM THE LEFT-LEANING AND FROM THE NUMBERS FROM COMMON CAUSE, WE KNOW THAT THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A VERY POPULAR ISSUE FOR HOOSIERS OR ANYBODY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

MOST AMERICANS SEEM TO NOT WANT MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING.

THEY PREFER IT ON THE TEN-YEAR CYCLE THAT'S TRADITIONALLY BEEN ON.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING AND BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>>> JUST SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON ON WALNUT STREET, LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PROPERTY OWNERS SAY THEY'RE LOSING BUSINESS OVER PROBLEMS CAUSED BY STREET HOMELESSNESS.

AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, DESPITE THE EFFORTS, SOME LOCALS SAY THEY HAVEN'T SEEN IMPROVEMENTS.

>> TYES ON BORN GREW UP AT STALL FURNITURE.

THAT'S NO EX-AGERATION, HIS FATHER MANAGED THE STORE SINCE 1976 AND BOUGHT IT IN THE EARLY 2000S.

>> MY SON IS IN THE BUSINESS.

RUNNING THE STORE, AND I WANT TO HAVE A LOCATION WHERE HE HAS A FUTURE AND WHERE I HAVE A FUTURE.

>> THAT LOCATION, HE SAYS, ISN'T BLOOMINGTON.

WALKING AGO SOUTH WALL NOT STREET, YOU'LL NOTICE A LOT OF EMPTY LOTS AND STORE FRONTS, OSBORNE SAYS IT'S BECAUSE OF THE UPTICK IN STREET HOMELESS LICENSE IN THE LAST 125 YEARS.

AUGUST IS USUALLY HIS BUSIEST MOMENT.

THIS YEAR HE SAYS HE COULDN'T RUN AN OUTDOOR TENT SALE.

>> A LOT OF DAYS WE COME TO WORK AND HAVE TO WORK AN HOUR TO OPEN YOU THE FRONT DUE WITH ALL THE FOOD AND CLOTHING AND BEDDING THAT'S BEEN LEFT THERE.

ALMOST EVERY DAY, THERE'S TRASH SOMEWHERE ON THE PROPERTY THAT'S BEEN LEFT.

>> WHETHER OR NOT STREET HOMELESS LICENSE IS THE ROOT OF OSBORNE'S FINANCIAL WOES, ITS VISIBILITY IS UNDENIABLE.

LOCAL ICE CREAM SHOP HAS EXISTED UNDER VARIOUS NAMES SINCE THEM 1930s, SOME OF ITS LONG-TERM WORKERS HAVE SEEN THESE ISSUES FOR YEARS.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S MORE OF AN ISSUE IN THE COMMUNITY THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST.

FROM WHERE WE ARE AT IN BETWEEN THE BUS STATION, THE PARK, LIQUOR STORE, ALL OF IT, IT'S BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE WHOLE TIME.

>> DAVIS SAYS HE DOES WHAT HE CAN TO HELP, HANDING OUT WATER.

FORMER COWORKERS HAVE ENDED UP LIVING ON THE STREET NEARBY AND HE SAYS HE HAS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH MANY HOMELESS NEIGHBORS.

NOT EVERYONE IS RESPECTFUL TO HIS STORE AND EMPLOYEES AND HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH THREATENING BEHAVIOR.

DAVIS THINKS THE CITY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

>> IT JUST TAKES TIME, WON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

IT WILL BE A WHOLE COMMUNITY EFFORT TO REALLY GET THINGS TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY.

>> OVERNIGHT CHANGE MIGHT NOT BE A REALISTIC EXPECTATION, FOR BUSINESSES THAT HAVE DEALT WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS OF HOMELESSNESS FOR YEARS, FRUSTRATION HAS REACHED A BOILING POINT.

DISCOURSE ON SOCIAL MEDIAD HAS HAD POINTS TURNED AGAINST LOCAL OFFICIALS AND NONPROFITS.

ERIC SPOONMORE, PRESIDENT OF THE BLOOMINGTON CHAMBER SAYS THE PROBLEM CAN'T BE ATTRIBUTED TO ONE ORGANIZATION BUT THE ONLINE CONVERSATION REFLECTS VALID FRUSTRATIONS.

>> WHAT I'M HEARING FROM MY MEMBERSHIP IS THAT THINGS ARE NOT IMPROVING, AND THIS IS AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE MORE RESOURCES, MORE LOCAL RESOURCES THAN EVER BEING COMMITTED TOWARDS STREET HOMELESSNESS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE CHAMBER WANT TO SEE CLEAR ENFORCEMENT RULES FOR CRIMINAL TRESPASS AND BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE CITY.

SPOONMORE SAYS CITY, COUNTY AND BUSINESS LEADERS NEED TO ARTICULATE A CLEAR PLAN AND SO FAR, THEYN'T VERY DONE SO.

>> I HAVE NOT SEEN WHAT THAT UNIFIED STRATEGY IS FROM THE LEADERS WHO ARE REALLY THERE, WHOSE JOB IT IS TO PROVIDE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR BEHAVIOR IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> BUT HOLDING PEOPLE TO ACCOUNT FOR VIOLATIONS SUCH AS TRESPASS AND LITTERING IS COMPLICATED FOR A FEW REASONS, SAYS FOREST GILMORE.

HE RUNS THE SHALOM CENTER, A DAY CENTER FOR UNHOUSED PEOPLE ON SOUTH WALNUT.

>> THESE ARE CRIMES THAT ARE MOST DEFINITELY TROUBLING AND ANNOYING AND CHALLENGING, BUT THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY DANGEROUS.

THEY'RE JUST -- THEY'RE JUST NUISANCES.

>> WHEN SOMEONE REPORTS CAMPING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, POLICE WILL ISSUE A WARNING AND A TRESPASS FORM.

DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE MOVING THEM CAN TAKE TIME.

ARRESTING PEOPLE FOR NUISANCE CRIMES, SAYS THE MAYOR, WON'T SOLVE THE ISSUE.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, WE ARE NOT GOING TO ARREST OUR A OUT OF -- ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF THIS.

WE BELIEVE WE NEED TO SERVE PEOPLE BEFORE THERE'S CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

>> THEY RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE HASN'T BEEN WORKING.

SO FAR COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVEN'T REACHED AN AGREEMENT.

THE CITY PROVIDES GRANT MONEY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO ENHANCE THEIR PROPERTY SAFETY AND HYGIENE, SAYS IT'S PROVIDED AROUND $23,000 IN SAFETY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS TO BUSINESSES ON SOUTH WALNUT SPECIFICALLY.

RELIEF FOR THIS AREA MAY COME FROM A NEW FACILITY ON WEST 3rd STREET.

THEY PLAN TO BREAK GROUND LATER THIS MONTH.

THE PLAN IS A MAJOR EXPANSION AND RELOCATION THAT HAS RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS LEADERS SUCH AS SPOONMORE WHO CO-CHAIRED ITS FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE.

IT WILL C.U.

25 APARTMENTS OVERNIGHT HOUSING AND OFFICES ON SITE FROM SERVICE PROVIDERS.

GILMORE SAYS IT WILL HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE.

BUT THE ISSUES THAT CAUSED HOMELESSNESS, A NATIONAL DRUG EPIDEMIC GENERATIONAL POVERTY WILL CONTINUE TO MANIFEST IN BLOOMINGTON.

>> THAT'S NOT SOMETHING SERVICES CONTROL, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT OUR SOCIETY IS CREATING.

WHY AND SO IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY INDICATE THAT SERVICES AREN'T WORKING BECAUSE OUR SOCIETY IS CREATING WORSE SITUATIONS FOR PEOPLE.

>> OSBORNE SAYS THAT EVEN IF COMMUNITY LEADERS CHANGE THEIR APPROACH, IT'S TOO LATE.

>> THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO AT THIS POINT TO MAKE ME STAY HERE OR WANT TO STAY HERE.

THE DAMAGE THAT'S BEEN DONE HAS BEEN DONE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS IN THIS LOCATION.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>>> GROUND BREAKING FOR BEACON'S NEW SHELTER ON THE WEST SIDE OF BLOOMINGTON IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 23.

>>> WE ARE JOINED BY SHELBY BROWN FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

WELCOME BACK, SHELBY.

>> THANKS, JOE.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS KEEPING AN EYE ON WASHINGTON AS DECREASED FEDERAL FUNDING.

THE FISCAL YEAR ENDS THIS MONTH AND CONGRESS IS EXTORT SORTING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS COULD BE AT STAKE.

>> THE ONES THAT IMPACT INDIANA UNIVERSITY IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY, IN TERMS OF ORDER OF MAGNITUDE INCLUDE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND FEDERAL STUDENT AID.

>> UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION, FEDERAL AGENCIES ARE DRASTICALLY NARROWING SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

IU MADE SOME BUDGET CUTS IN ANTICIPATION OF AT LEAST A $40 MILLION REDUCTION IN FEDERAL FUNDING THIS YEAR.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY SANK TO NEAR THE BOTTOM FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION RANKINGS THIS YEAR.

THE DROP IS TIED TO UNIVERSITY'S REACTION TO LAST YEAR'S PROTESTS.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY RANKS 255TH OUT OF 257 SCHOOLS IN A FEWER SURVEY RELEASED SURVEY.

MAKING IT THE LOWEST RATED PUBLIC UNIVERSITY.

LIKE MANY OTHER COLLEGE CAMPUSES, FIRE SAYS IU'S RANKING WAS INFLUENCED BY THE SCHOOL'S REACTION TO LAST YEAR'S ANTIWAR ENCAMPMENT PROTESTS.

LED BY THE DIVESTMENT COALITION.

HOOSIER STUDENTS WERE DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH SNIPERS ON THE ROOF OF THE IU MEMORIAL UNION.

IU ADMINISTRATORS AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MADE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO FREE SPEECH POLICIES IN REACTION TO THE PROTESTS.

AFTER DOZENS OF ENCAMPMENT PROTESTORS WERE ARRESTED.

>> THE COMMON THREAD WITH MOST OF THESE SCHOOLS, AND THE BOTTOM THREE, ESPECIALLY, IS STUDENTS ESSENTIALLY -- THE ADMINISTRATION HAD A REALLY HEAVY HANDED RESPONSE TO THE PROTEST.

>> THEY ARE DEALING WITH A LAWSUIT FILED BY THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF INDIANA, OVER ITS EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY POLICY, WHICH SEVERELY RESTRICTED OVERNIGHT PROTESTS, GATHERINGS AND FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVITY.

IU WAS ALSO DOCKED POINTS FOR CANCELING AN LGBTQ+ CONFERENCE FOCUSED ON HEALTH ISSUES.

>> THAT'S PRIVACY AT THE BOTTOM AND THAT'S THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE SCORE WOULD BE PRETTY LOW.

AND I IMAGINE IF WE SPOKE WITH FACULTY AS WELL AND WERE ABLE TO INCLUDE THEM IN THE SURVEY, THEY PROBABLY WEREN'T HAVE MANY GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> WHILE THEY DROPPED FROM 225TH LAST YEAR, PURDUE UNIVERSITY ROSE TO THE NEAR TOP.

IT'S RANKED NO.

9 THIS YEAR, THOUGH STEVENS NOTED ITS RATING IS ONLY 72.6 OUT OF 100.

>> EVEN THE BEST SCHOOLS ARE AVERAGE, SLIGHTLY ABOVE AVERAGE.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M AUBREY WRIGHT.

>>> THE FULLERTON PIPE PROJECT IN EAST WEST ROAD CONNECTION IN MONROE COUNTY IS SET TO OPEN NEXT WEEK.

CONSTRUCTION CREWS ARE ADDING FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE YEARS-LONG PROJECT WHICH COST ALMOST $20 MILLION.

>> THEY ARE FINISHING UP ASPHALT, LANE PAVEMENT THIS WEEK AND THEN THEY'LL DO THE STRIPING.

I KNOW THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL IS ON, IT'S JUST WAITING TO BE FULL FUNCTIONING ONCE WE OPEN IT UP.

>> A RIBBON CUTTING ON THE FULLERTON BRIDGES WEST END NEAR ROCK COURT ROAD IS SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY.

THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT'S 3rd AND FINAL PHASE WILL CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN WEST GORDON AND WEST FULLERTON PIKES, CONNECTING TRAFFIC IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF MONROE COUNTY.

BRYAN PARK IS NOW A CERTIFIED ARBORETUEU SOME.

THE FIRST TO GAIN THAT ACCREDITATION IN THE STATE.

A GROUP PROMOTING TREE FOCUSED PUBLIC SPACES.

LEVEL ONE STATUS REQUIRES A PARK TO HAVE AT LEAST 257 TREE SPECIES, BRYAN PARK IS AT MORE THAN 60 DIFFERENT SPECIES.

>> IT'S KIND OF THE CROWN JEWEL OF OUR IN-CITY PARKS, LOVED BY A LOT.

THERE'S A LOT OF MEMORIAL TREES HERE.

JUST AN IMPORTANT PARK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> LEVEL TWO CERTIFICATION REQUIRES AT LEAST 100 DIFFERENT SPECIES AND, JOE, SMITH HOPES TO PLANT MORE TREES AND REACH THAT MARK WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS SHELBY.

COMING UP NEXT ON INDIANA NEWSDESK... >> THE POSSIBILITIES OF THIRD GRADERS BEING HELD BACK BY FAILED I READ TEST RESULTS IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.

AND MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND THE TEACHERS UNION ARE SET TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS ON NEW CONTRACT NEXT WEEK.

THESE STORIES AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON INDIANA NEWSDESK.

>> I'M TODAY, SENIOR PRODUCER DIRECTOR AT WTIU.

I'VE PERSONALLY DEVOTED NEARLY FOUR YEARS OF MY LIFE TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTARY FILMS ABOUT IMPORTANT STORIES FROM INDIANA.

THE ARTS, HISTORY AND PEOPLE THAT MAKE HOOSIERS GREAT.

DESPITE GOVERNMENT CUTBACKS, WE WILL NEVER STOP TELLING INDIANA STORIES.

YOUR STORIES.

PLEASE DONATE NOW TO KEEP THIS STATION STRONG, BECOME A SUSTAINING MONTHLY MEMBER AT WTIU.ORG.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO INDIANA NEWSDESK.

THE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION STARTS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE TEACHERS UNION NEXT WEEK AND A UNION SURVEY 25 PERCENT OF TEACHERS REPORT THEY HAVE A SECOND JOB OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.

WE HAVE MORE ON WHY THIS YEAR'S COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT.

>> EVERY TWO YEARS WHEN THE STATE BUDGET IS RELEASED, THEY MEET TO NEGOTIATE SALARIES AND BENEFIT SUCH AS MEDICAL AND DENTAL INSURANCE.

THIS YEAR WITH STATE BUDGET CUTS THE SCHOOL CORPORATION HAS LESS MONEY.

THE UNION DOESN'T KNOW HOW MUCH LESS.

>> THE STATE HAS NOT GIVEN IT TO THE SCHOOL CORPORATION TO THEN ALLOW US TO BARGAIN WITH IT.

SO INSTEAD, OUR TEACHERS ARE LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS FOR HOW TO CONTINUE HAVING EXCELLENT SCHOOLS, BUT ALSO BEING ABLE TO PAY FOR THEIR OWN LIVES.

>> WHILE THE UNION REPORTS 25 PERCENT OF TEACHERS HAVING SECOND JOBS.

THEY PUGH RESEARCH CENTER SAYS IT WAS 17 PERCENT DURING THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR.

THAT REFLECTS THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN TOWN.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT ADDRESSES OF TEACHERS WHO ARE REHIRED AND/OR NEW HIRES, YOU WILL OFTEN SEE OTHER COUNTIES LISTED AS THEIR HOME ADDRESSES.

BECAUSE OF BLOOMINGTON AND EVEN PARTS OF MONROE COUNTY ADDITIONALLY NOT HAVING AFFORDABILITY HOUSING.

>> AT LAST MONTH'S BOARD MEETING, SOME TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE THERE TO SHOW SOLIDARITY.

>> I WANT OUR NEXT GENERATION OF TEACHERS WHO ARE ALSO PARENTS TO HAVE AN EASIER TIME.

I WANT THEM TO GET CLOSER TO NOT HAVING SECOND JOBS AND NOT LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

TO SHOW OUR INTENT IN BARGAINING IN GOOD FAITH AND TO DEMONSTRATE THE CRITICAL NEED FOR A FAIR BARGAINING AGREEMENT.

>> THEY SAY NO ONE EXPECTS A SIGNIFICANT RAISE, THE STARTING TEACHER'S SALARY IN THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR WAS $57,750.

>> THIS SCHOOL YEAR IS A UNDER WAY WITH FEWER TEACHERS THAN LAST YEAR.

WE HAVE EVERY DAY TO DO OUR BEST.

WE PERSEVERE.

IN TURN, WE WILL EXECUTE OURSELVES AS GOOD FAITH BARGAINERS.

TO US THIS MEANS THE POSSIBILITY OF ITEMS LIKE IMPROVED AND JUST LEAVES, MEDICAL, DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE THAT WILL NOT EMPTY OUR WALLETS BEFORE THE PAYCHECK HAS EVEN BEEN DEPOSITED.

>> THE CORPORATION DECLINED AN INTERVIEW BUT SAID IT VALUES TEACHERS AND IS DEDICATED TO A OPEN AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH.

THEY DID NOT ANSWER A SPECIFIC QUESTION ABOUT 25 PERCENT OF ITS TEACHERS HAVING SECOND JOBS.

FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'D ISABELLA ISABELLA VESPERINI.

>> TEACHERS ARE BEING PAID THIS YEAR BASED ON THEIR LAST CONTRACT, WHICH EXPIRED THIS SUMMER.

>>> INDIANA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE IMPLEMENTING A NEW LAW TO HOLD BACK 3rd GRADERS WHO DON'T PASS THE STATE'S I READ LITERACY TEST.

AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, TEST SCORES ARE UP ACROSS THE BOARD, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

>> EDGEWOOD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL HAS SEEN PASSING RATES INCREASE 4 PERCENT SINCE 2023.

A GAIN THEY SAY HAS AS MUCH TO DO WITH SHOWING UP FOR HER STUDENTS AND MAKING READING FUN AS IT DOES WITH THE NEW LAW.

>> I GO WATCH THEIR FOOTBALL GAMES OR WATCH THEM CHEER, PLAY BASEBALL, AND IT'S NOT ABOUT A TEST SCORE.

SO WHEN I TELL THEM YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS AND YOU'RE GOING TO KILL IT, THEY BELIEVE ME, AND THEY GIVE IT EVERYTHING THEY'VE GOT.

>> I READ RESULTS HELD HELP TEACHERS TRACK A STUDENT'S PROGRESS.

STUDENTS TAKING THE TEST IN 2nd GRADE GIVES HER A PRETTY GOOD IDEA WHO WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM EXTRA INTERVENTION.

STUDENTS AT EDGEWOOD HAVE A LOT OF BOOKS TO CHOOSE FROM AND GET TO SPEND TIME IN SMALL GROUPS WORKING ON SUBJECTS THAT INTEREST THEM.

THE I READ RETENTION LAW DOES RAISE THE STAKES AND TEACHERS FEEL THAT.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S MY FAULT IF THEY DON'T SUCCEED, AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MOTIVATE THEM, WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT.

>> SENATE BILL 1 HAD A FEW ITEMS ON LITERACY SUCH AS REQUIRING TEACHERS TO APPLY THE SCIENCE OF READING IN CLASSROOMS, CREATING A LITERACY CADRE TO TRAIN PRIMARY SCHOOLTEACHERSES.

PASSING RATES ARE UP 5 PERCENT, UNPRECEDENTED SINGLE YEAR INCREASE.

ONE THAT PUTS INDIANA AT PREPANDEMIC LEVELS, LOWER THAN PREVIOUS YEARS.

THE LAW ALSO HOLDS BACK 3rd GRADERS WHO DON'T PASS I READ AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS.

BASED ON 2023 NUMBERS, INDIANA'S LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY ESTIMATED MORE THAN 9,000 MORE -- 7,000 MORE STUDENTS COULD REPEAT 3rd GRADE THIS YEAR.

>> I READ 3 CAUSED THE CLASSROOM TO BECOME A PRESSURE COOKER, UNLIKE ANYTHING PEOPLE HAD SEEN FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> IN MONROE COUNTY, ONE IN FOUR THIRD GRADERS FAILED TO PASS.

THE MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION SAYS MOST QUALIFIED FOR EXEMPTIONS AND WENT ON TO THE 4th GRADE.

LESS THAN 1 PERCENT OF STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT WERE HELD BACK.

MCC SC DECLINED AN INTERVIEW.

>> SOME KIDS MAY NOT BE MOVED ON TO THE NEXT GRADE, THOSE ARE SO MUCH BETTER DETERMINED BY THE EDUCATORS AND THE FAMILIES THAT KNOW THE SPECIFIC CHILD.

>> THE EBILL'S AUTHOR -- THE BILL'S AUTHOR SAYS RETENTION IS A LAST RESORT.

>> THE GENESIS OF THE BILL IS IDENTIFYING STUDENTS EARLY WHEN THEY START SCHOOL IN KINDERGARTEN, CONTINUE TO MONITOR THEM, DO A SCREENER SO WE CAN IDENTIFY STUDENTS THAT MAY BE AT RISK.

>> STATEWIDE RETENTION WON'T BE OUT UNTIL MID-OCTOBER.

SINCE THEY MANDATED USE TO TEACH READING, SCORES HAVE BEEN UP IN ALMOST EVERY DISTRICT.

STAFF AT LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SAY THE SECRET IS TAKING PRESSURE OFF THE STUDENTS.

>> WE KNOW THAT I READ IS IMPORTANT.

BUT WE KNOW OUR BIG GOAL IS FOR STUDENTS TO READ CONFIDENTLY AND ACCURATELY.

WE FEEL AS LONG AS WE ARE TEACHING KIDS THAT PIECE, I READ WILL COME AROUND.

>> BUT IT CAN BE HARD TO KEEP THAT PRESSURE OFF THE STUDENTS.

AT THE PROJECT SCHOOL, TEACHERS TACKLE LITERACY BY TYING READING TO OTHER PROJECTS SUCH AS THEATER AND MUSIC.

>> THE REALITY IS IF YOU CAN READ BUT DON'T WANT TO, WE HAVEN'T DONE YOU MUCH GOOD.

>> DESPITE MOST OF ITS STUDENTS PASSING, THEY STILL HEAR FROM STUDENTS WHO WORRY ABOUT BEING HELD BACK.

>> THIS MOM SAID TO ME, SHE'S TERRIFIED.

SHE'S TERRIFIED TO TAKE THIS TEST.

>> OCCASIONALLY THEY SAID, HOLDING BACK A STUDENT CAN BE THE RIGHT MOVE.

THE PROJECT SCHOOL RETAINED ONE STUDENT WHO FAILED I READ, BUT QUALIFIED FOR AN EXEMPTION BASED A UN-A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND PARENTS.

BUT IT IS IMPORTANT, SHE SAYS, THAT SCHOOLS HAVE THE AUTONOMY TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

>> I THINK THE IMPLICATIONS OF RETENTION ARE REALLY CHALLENGING EVERYWHERE BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE IS A GREAT RESEARCH TO SUPPORT RETENTION.

>> FOR INDIANA NEWSDESK, I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> AND THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL TEAMS ARE PATTING WITH TRADITION TO KICK OFF THE NEWEN, HOOSIER HOOPS ON KIRKWOOD, AN INTERACTIVE EVENT FEATURING MEN'S AND WOMEN'S PLAYER I SEE IS SCHEDULED DOWNTOWN ON OCTOBER 2.

PLAYER INTRODUCTIONS, SKILLS COMPETITIONS AND MEET AND GREETS.

THAT'S THE END OF THE THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AT WTIU NEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> INDIANA NEWSDESK IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY...