More than 200 employees are expected to be laid off at Ivy Tech campuses across the state as a result of the Indiana General Assembly’s decision to cut funding to the college system.

This announcement was made by Ivy Tech’s president, Sue Ellspermann, on May 30, as she broke the news to many who were affected by this sudden development. Layoffs began the same day and continue into next week.

Emily Sandberg, Ivy Tech’s assistant vice president of communications, confirmed in an email to the IndyStar that the Indianapolis campus is expected to lay off seven faculty and 14 staff members, and the Hamilton County campus is expected to lay off two staff members.

In Ellspermann’s letter, she notes that the Indiana government’s decision to cut 5% of the school allocated fund, on top of the 5% cut from the state budget agency, would equate to an expected loss of $54 million over the next two years.

These cuts, coupled with Gov. Mike Braun and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education recommending a 0% tuition increase for all state educational institutions, left the school with another revenue option.

“Because the college’s primary revenue sources are state appropriations, tuition, and fees, these developments have had an immediate effect on our planning,” Ellspermann said in her letter. “We have reached the difficult decision to adjust our staffing levels, in addition to efforts to reduce our operational expenses.”

During the 2023 budget session, the General Assembly appropriated about $243 million and $245 million for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, respectively. For 2025-26 and 2026-27, that will drop to about $236 million each. That doesn’t count additional reductions.

Laid-off Ivy Tech workers will receive separation packages, according to Ellspermann’s letter. However, details regarding the separation packages were not provided in the email, noting that laid-off employees will meet with human resources representatives to determine their package.

In total, 202 people will be affected by these layoffs across Ivy Tech’s 45 locations in the state.

“This is a challenging moment for our college, but I know Ivy Tech is strong,” the letter reads.

“I remain confident in our resilience and in our commitment to our students and to one another.”

Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social. Courier & Press reporter Jon Webb contributed to this story.

We’ve entered the season in which humming cicadas, delectable snacks and sticky air combine to gift Hoosiers a favorite summer tradition: nights at the drive-in theater.

Nearly 20 such establishments still operate in Indiana, offering blockbusters and retro films while satisfying cravings for deep-fried munchies and all manner of sweet delights.

Find the complete list of drive-in theaters and what to know below. We offer the following advice: First, it’s good to have cash on hand. Some theaters only take cash while others add a surcharge to credit cards.

Check Facebook and the theaters’ websites for information on how to listen to the movie, when to arrive, if your dog can accompany you and whether you can bring your own snacks.

Happy movie watching!

Auburn Garrett Drive-In (Garrett)

1014 State Road 8 in Garrett. Check the Auburn Garrett Drive In on Facebook and auburngarrettdrivein.com for updates.

$10 adults, $5 ages 5-11, free ages 4 and under.

This drive-in is open once again after a storm damaged its screen in 2022. The theater has been a mainstay just north of Fort Wayne since 1951 and has changed its name a few times — from the Tri-Hi Drive-In to the Garrett Drive-In to its current moniker.

Bel-Air Drive-In (Versailles)

337 N. U.S. Highway 421 in Versailles. Check the Bel-Air Drive-In on Facebook and belairdrivein.com for showtimes. 812-689-5525

$10 adults, $5 ages 5-11 along with seniors and active U.S. military with ID. Free ages 4 and under. Cash only at ticket booth.

The Bel-Air Drive-In opened in 1952, and its traditions include slathering French fries, nachos, hot dogs and the like in Coney sauce made from the family’s recipe, third-generation owner Allan Chorpenning told IndyStar.

Centerbrook Drive-In (Martinsville)

6735 State Road 67 North in Martinsville. Check Centerbrook Drive-In on Facebook and centerbrookdrivein.com for showtimes. 317-831-1526

$10 adults, $5 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and under.

Watch the screen light up in the midst of a Southern Indiana landscape of hills and trees. The popcorn, fried mushrooms and funnel cake fries loaded with powdered sugar come recommended here.

Cinema 67 (Spencer)

2037 State Road 67 in Spencer. Check Cinema 67 Drive In Theater on Facebook and cinema67.com for showtimes. 812-879-4240

$9 adults, $5 ages 5-11, free ages 4 and under.

Named for the nearby state road, the drive-in is a community gathering place that serves up a menu of traditional favorites.

The IndianapoLIST newsletter has the best shows, art and eats — and the stories behind them

Georgetown Drive-In (Georgetown)

8200 State Road 64 in Georgetown. Check Georgetown Drive-In on Facebook and georgetowndrivein.com for showtimes. 812-951-2616.

$12 adults, $6 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and under. Cash only at box office.

You’ll find a few of those nostalgic window speakers along with a playground in this spot that opened in 1951. Enjoy the traditional drive-in concessions and an expanded menu on weekends.

Holiday Drive-In Theatre (Mitchell)

1055 State Road 37 in Mitchell. Check Holiday Drive In Theater Mitchell IN on Facebook and holidaydrivein.biz for showtimes.

$10 adults, $5 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and under.

Be sure to order a steakburger, cooked the old-fashioned way on a grill. If you don’t feel like a burger, try chicken, tenderloins, French fries, soft-serve ice cream or a fish sandwich.

Holiday Drive-In (Rockport)

646 N. State Road 161 in Rockport. Check Holiday Drive-In on Facebook and holidaydrivein.com for showtimes. 812-649-2857

$12 adults, $6 ages 4-11.

Just east of Evansville, the Holiday opened in 1955 and has grown steadily since then, adding more screens. The concession menu boasts all-American favorites, including double cheeseburgers, onion rings and snow cones.

Hummel Drive-In (Winchester)

2870 E. State Road 32 in Winchester. Check Hummel Drive-In on Facebook and hummeldrivein.com for showtimes. 765-546-8223

$10 adults, $5 ages 5-10, free ages 4 and under. Cash only.

After the Airline Twin Drive-In closed in 2014, Shawn and Pauletta Hummel bought it and gave it a new life. The couple’s purchase kept the decades-old icon alive. What to eat? Try a pizza burger or walking taco.

Huntington Twin Drive-In (Goodrich)

1291 Condit St. in Huntington. Check GQT Huntington Twin Drive-In on Facebook for showtimes. 260-356-2924

$7 adults, $3 ages 12 and under.

Look for traditional favorites like candy, hot dogs and mozzarella sticks.

Lake Shore Drive-In Theatre (Monticello)

100 Rickey Road in Monticello. Check Lake Shore Drive-In Theatre on Facebook and lakeshoredrivein.com for showtimes. 574-583-0311

$12 adults, $6 ages 4-12, free ages 3 and under.

The menu usually includes funnel cakes, breadsticks and other concession fare at the Monticello theater that’s been part of the community fabric for about seven decades.

M.E.L.S. at the Starlite Drive-In (Thorntown)

8721 N. State Road 39 in Thorntown. Check M.E.L.S. At The Starlite Drive-In on Facebook and melsdrive-intheatre.com for showtimes. 765-325-2230

$25 per carload admission.

M.E.L.S. — located between Lafayette and Indianapolis — has long been a staple in Mechanicsburg, with admission priced per-carload that lets you pack everyone in.

Melody Drive-In (Knox)

7055 S. U.S. Highway 35 in Knox. Check Melody Drive-In Theatre on Facebook and melodydrivein.com for showtimes. 574-772-2042

$10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 kids ages 5-11, free ages 4 and under.

Up in the northern half of the state, Melody has all the eats to satisfy. Make sure the double cheeseburgers are on your radar — they’re customer favorites.

Moon Lite Drive-In (Terre Haute)

5056 N. Lafayette Ave. in Terre Haute. Check Moon Lite Drive-In Theater – Terre Haute on Facebook for showtimes. 812-244-1275

Single-feature nights: $6 adults, $3 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and under. Double-feature nights: $8 adults, $4 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and under. Check Facebook for special showings, like retro nights.

Reopened in late 2018, this drive-in on the north side of Terre Haute programs nights with retro and single-feature showings in addition to the traditional two-film nights. Check their Facebook page for nights with discounts.

Skyline Drive-In Theatre (Shelbyville)

3986 E. Michigan Road in Shelbyville. Check The Skyline Drive-In on Facebook and theskylinedrivein.com for showtimes.

$10 adults, $5 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and under or $30 per carload.

The Skyline made sure to keep its 35-millimeter projector after it converted to digital, which means it plays selections from the past that won’t work with newer technology. Keep on the lookout for special events like August’s Super Monster Movie Fest. As for food, look for the handmade pizzas and coffee bar. Be sure to ask for a secret menu item, the sky pretzel, which is deep fried and covered with popcorn salt.

Starlite Drive-In (Bloomington)

7640 S. Old State Road 37 in Bloomington. Check Starlite Drive-In Theater on Facebook and starlitebloomington.com for showtimes. 812-824-2277

Double-feature nights: $10 adults, $5 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and under. Check Facebook for special showings, like free retro nights.

In addition to first-run movies, be sure to take advantage of retro movie nights, and look for a menu of drive-in classics, like nachos and ice cream.

Tibbs Drive-In Theatre (Indianapolis)

480 S. Tibbs Ave. in Indianapolis. Check The Tibbs Drive-In on Facebook and tibbsdriveintheatre.com for showtimes. 317-243-6666

$12 adults, $6 ages 4-12, free ages 3 and under.

The only drive-in theater left inside Indianapolis’ city limits has four screens and a reputation for friendly staff with good movie recommendations. 

Tri-Way Drive-In Theatre (Plymouth)

4400 Michigan Road in Plymouth. Check Tri-Way Drive-In Theatre on Facebook and triwaydrivein.com for showtimes.

$10 adults, $8 ages 4-11, free ages 3 and under. Cash only.

Named for its location on U.S. 31 between U.S. 6 and U.S. 30, the drive-in opened in 1953. The woman who submitted the winning name received a year’s pass to the theater for her family. 

13-24 Drive-In (Wabash)

890 N. State Road 13 in Wabash. Check 13-24 Drive In on Facebook and honeywellarts.org/drive-in for showtimes. 260-563-5745

$7 adults, $5 kids ages 3-12, free ages 2 and under. Or $25 carload of four or more. $10 carloads for Thursday retro reels.

Among the throwbacks this year are “Forrest Gump” and “The Notebook.” The theater was named before its 1951 opening for the intersection where it resides — State Road 13 and Federal Road 24, now called the Hoosier Heartland Highway. 

49’er Drive-in Theatre (Valparaiso)

675 N. Calumet Avenue in Valparaiso. Check 49’er Drive-In Theatre on Facebook and 49erdrivein.com for showtimes. 219-462-6122

$10 adults, $5 ages 5-11, free ages 4 and under.

Have yourself an iconic Hoosier summer day by spending hours under the sun at Indiana Dunes National Park and then driving about 15 minutes to the 49’er Drive-in in time for nightfall. The theater opened in 1956 and played “The Seven Little Foys,” starring Bob Hope, as its first movie, according to newspaper archives.

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Sign up here for the newsletter she curates about things to do and ways to explore Indianapolis. Find her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.