State library, Commission for Higher Ed and other agencies see layoffs this week

On June 10, 39 state education employees learned they were being laid off. Three were from the Commission for Higher Education, six from the Department of Education, 14 from the School for the Deaf and 16 from the Indiana State Library. 

Additionally, 12 positions—eight from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), three from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) and one from the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet—were eliminated this week. This has contributed to the removal of a total of 49 positions within the Office of Commerce, mostly in the form of employee attrition beginning in January.

The reduction in force (RIF) was enacted to align with the state budget in response to a “$2 billion budget shortfall,” according to a statement from the Office of the Secretary of Education sent to TheStatehouseFile.com. 

The recent layoffs were a final resort following other measures like refraining from filling vacant positions and utilizing alternative funding sources, it said. 

“We have had to make difficult decisions regarding our agencies’ operations to adjust to the realities of a much tighter budget. This includes adjusting staffing levels,” the statement said. “This is not something that was taken lightly. We are grateful for the work of each of these colleagues to serve our agencies and Hoosiers.”

The state expects to save a combined $7.4 million, it said.

“These changes support Governor Braun’s key priorities: upskilling Indiana’s workforce, supporting existing businesses, launching the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship focused on Main Street Indiana, and advancing a regional economic development model,” The Governor’s Office said in a statement forwarded by the Office of Commerce.