The leader of the Indiana Senate is warning schools they could have their funding cut if they don’t offer in-person classes.

State law gives virtual schools 15-percent less money per student. Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray (R-Martinsville) is advising bricks-and-mortar schools that law will apply to them if at least half their classes aren’t in person.

35 school districts and eight charter or private schools, including the Indianapolis Public Schools and Bray’s home district of Martinsville, have announced they’ll start the year virtually, with no definite date for returning in person.

House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) calls the funding threat “reckless and irresponsible.” Gary Senator Eddie Melton (D) accuses Bray of holding schools hostage, and says even schools who want to reopen could find they don’t have the ability to do it if an outbreak strikes their teachers.

Republican state school superintendent Jennifer McCormick says she’s “disappointed” at Bray’s letter, and warns it could warp schools’ decisionmaking. Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) says the state should be helping schools reopen safely, not pressuring them.

Governor Holcomb vowed in June he wouldn’t cut school spending to deal with a budget shortfall caused by the virus. Melton says Holcomb should issue an executive order making clear schools will receive their full funding — or, if he doesn’t believe he has the authority on his own, call a special session to have legislators do it. He notes Democrats have already called for a special session to address other pandemic-related issues and police reform.