Star Reports Hamilton Southeastern Referendum Would Effect 35% of Fishers Homeowners

From the Indianapolis Star:

A May 7 referendum to raise $95 million for additional space at Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ two high schools would be felt by 35 percent of Fishers homeowners.

Growing enrollment is expected to surpass capacity at Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern high schools by 2015, Superintendent Brian Smith said.

Building add-ons would create space for 1,000 more students at each school, increasing their capacity to 3,700 each.
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If voters approve a referendum, homeowners with a house valued at or above $230,000 could pay between $159 and $282 more annually in taxes.

Whether a property bill increases depends on which which tax district the house is located in or if it is shielded by the property tax cap.

Michael Reuter, district chief financial officer, said it’s been difficult so far to explain why the referendum will not affect everyone because of tax caps.

Additions at the two high schools would be mostly non-traditional classrooms intended for all senior students. School officials said these add-ons would allow for more dual-credit and college-preparation courses.

Increased space for performing arts, athletics, infrastructure and maintenance are also included in the cost.

If approved, construction would start this summer, and the additions would open in August 2015.

If the referendum doesn’t pass, the district expects to buy portable trailers that would be installed near the schools.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013303200107

Despite the suggestion above that the referendum would not affect everyone "because of tax caps," see this from the DLGF's "Tax Bill 101" stating that such referenda are exempt from the tax cap:

Table 2: Property Tax Cap Information

Table 2 shows you the amount of your property tax cap. The first line shows the cap amount based on the 1 percent, 2 percent and 3 percent thresholds. If the property is split into separate classifications (see Table 1), this amount will be the combined caps for the separate classes of property. The second line lists any adjustments for things exempt from the cap. If you live in St. Joseph or Lake Counties, the debt your local government issued before July 1, 2008 is exempt from the cap. If the majority of voters in your district have approved a referendum to allow a building project or to allow your school district extra operating funds, those charges are exempt from the cap. The third line of Table 2 shows the maximum amount of taxes you can be charged.

http://www.in.gov/dlgf/8527.htm