Mike Smith '70 Chairing Commission Charged with Examining Teacher Pay in Indiana
May 30, 2019
"Three retired corporate executives, a top philanthropist and a not-for-profit chief are among those trying to address one of Indiana’s most pressing education issues: teacher pay," reports the Indianapolis Business Journal. "They’re handling a charged subject that has teachers impatient for a change in a state that routinely ranks among the lowest in teacher pay."
The commission, formed by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, is being chaired by Michael L. Smith, a 1970 DePauw University graduate who is former chairman, president, and CEO of Mayflower Group and former executive vice president and CFO of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. The group has been meeting privately, but he says public input will be "absolutely essential" to the process.
"The truth is that these challenges are so complex that it would be foolish not to invite as many people as possible to weigh in and provide useful input and suggestions," Smith said. "None of us could possibly know everything required to make thoughtful, actionable recommendations to the governor and other policymakers."
Stephanie Wang writes, "The commission is key to Holcomb’s long-term strategy to address teacher salaries. Like in many states around the country, Hoosier teachers’ discontent over pay boiled up this year, with some rallying for bigger paychecks. It’s a critical issue that has become more contentious for public school teachers against the backdrop of Indiana’s fiscal conservatism and proliferation of school choice, which some accuse of drawing dollars away from school districts. Indiana falls behind neighboring states when it comes to teacher salaries, according to a recent analysis. In 2016-17, Indiana teachers made an average salary of $50,554, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, but starting salaries can be as low as $30,000."
Read more at IBJ's website.
Mike Smith, who has been a leader in higher education, business, and philanthropy in the state of Indiana, was awarded DePauw University’s Old Gold Goblet in 2014. As a DePauw Advisory Trustee and as a member of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Smith has been a strong advocate for college access for students of all backgrounds at DePauw and at public and private institutions statewide.
In November 2013, Mike Smith and his wife, Sue '71, committed $2.5 million to support The DePauw Trust, a new and developing initiative to strengthen and considerably expand the University’s endowment dedicated to need-based financial aid. The Smiths were also honored in 2013 with the Outstanding Philanthropist award from the Indiana Association of Fundraising Professionals.
As an economics major at DePauw, Mike Smith was elected student body president and later served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Board of Visitors.
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