Morning Bell: Hate Crimes At Purdue, Per Pupil Funding Down, Bennett On Florida

Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana

The Purdue Bell Tower shown in a reflecting pool on the West Lafayette campus.

Purdue ranks 2nd in FBI hate crime report – “Purdue University reported the second most hate crimes among all public and private colleges in the country last year and the most among all Indiana colleges, according to just-released FBI statistics. Of the seven instances reported on the West Lafayette campus in 2011, five reflected racial bias and two were related to religion, the FBI data show. The offenses involved simple assault, intimidation and vandalized property.” Lafayette Journal and Courier

Boone Grove superintendent says state funding to district is decreasing – “[Superintendent Stacey] Schmidt said Boone Grove schools received about $5,700 per student from the state in the 2011-12 school year, compared with a state average of $6,473 per student. Schmidt said the district expects to receive $5,045 per student in the current school year.” The Times of Northwest Indiana

Straight Up Conversation: New Florida Commissioner Tony Bennett – “Bennett moves to a big state with an outsized reputation when it comes to education reform, but one that’s been struggling to keep a strong state commissioner in place amidst concerns about politics and relations with the governor and the State Board of Education.” Education Next

Ind. law already allows teachers to carry guns – “Experts say in Indiana, anyone appointed as a school security guard can carry a gun on school property. But attorney Guy Relford says the law applies to anyone authorized by the school.” Associated Press