Seven Indiana school districts — including two in Hamilton County — are making a final push this week to explain why voters should approve hundreds of millions of dollars in new property-tax revenue for school improvements.
Ahead of the May 7 referendum, superintendents, political-action committees and supporters are holding public forums, installing more yard signs and sending mass mailings. Brian Smith, superintendent of Fishers-area Hamilton Southeastern Schools, has made the pitch more than 60 times in recent months, and he will continue his efforts through the weekend, on why homeowners should OK a $95 million tax increase for the district.
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Hamilton Southeastern wants funds to build classrooms for 1,000 more students
at Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern high schools, increasing the capacity to 3,700 each. Noblesville Schools is asking for $28 million to expand its high school and relocate a middle school — steps required before Ivy Tech can open a satellite branch in an old middle school. Both districts expect enrollment increases in the next few years to use all the current classroom space in the upper grades.
at Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern high schools, increasing the capacity to 3,700 each. Noblesville Schools is asking for $28 million to expand its high school and relocate a middle school — steps required before Ivy Tech can open a satellite branch in an old middle school. Both districts expect enrollment increases in the next few years to use all the current classroom space in the upper grades.
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At Hamilton Southeastern, more than 80 portable classrooms, would be needed to absorb increased student enrollment. Some parents have told Smith if that happens, they’ll move. In Noblesville, a failed vote would prevent Hamilton County from buying the old middle school from the district for $14.5 million and leasing it to Ivy Tech — a plan that has gained widespread support from business leaders and others in the community, Trisler said.
enrollment. Some parents have told Smith if that happens, they’ll move. In Noblesville, a failed vote would prevent Hamilton County from buying the old middle school from the district for $14.5 million and leasing it to Ivy Tech — a plan that has gained widespread support from business leaders and others in the community, Trisler said.
If the referendum passes, all Hamilton Southeastern homeowners will pay a new tax rate. But due to property-tax caps, as well as the eventual expiration of other bonding expenses, only some homeowners will pay tax amounts higher than their current rate. The greatest impact would fall on homeowners with houses valued at or above $230,000. They would pay at least $159 more annually in taxes.
. But due to property-tax caps, as well as the eventual expiration of other bonding expenses, only some homeowners will pay tax amounts higher than their current rate. The greatest impact would fall on homeowners with houses valued at or above $230,000. They would pay at least $159 more annually in taxes.
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For Noblesville Schools homeowners, if the referendum passes, those with houses valued at $200,000 would see a tax increase of $44 annually in the next few years. But that would more than double in 2021 and continue through 2032.
Information on the seven school referenda (as well as a parks referendum) can be found here:
http://www.in.gov/dlgf/8789.htm
http://www.in.gov/dlgf/8789.htm
As a side note, despite the suggestion to the contrary in the above article, referendum-approved tax dollars are OUTSIDE the tax caps:
"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."
http://www.in.gov/dlgf/8527.htm
"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."
http://www.in.gov/dlgf/8527.htm
