At least three Central Indiana school districts are planning to seek help from taxpayers this spring.
Brown County, Speedway and Hamilton Southeastern Schools are all planning referendums for the May 3, 2016 election.
Brown County is seeking to raise approximately $1 million annually to maintain current staffing levels and programming.
A homeowner of a $150,000 property would pay a maximum impact of $55 a year in property taxes for seven years, according to the Department of Local Government Finance’s referendum calculator.
Superintendent David Shaffer told RTV6 if voters approve the May referendum, the district will be able to retain and recruit quality teachers, supplement teacher salaries, and help fund the adult education program.
The School Town of Speedway will ask voters to renew an operating referendum that is set to expire in 2017.
According to the DLGF calculator, the estimated tax impact for a $100,000 home is $211 a year for seven years.
The Speedway community overwhelmingly approved its first public referendum in 2010, according to Superintendent Dr. Ken Hull.
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“The referendum allows us to operate very small schools with exceptionally small class sizes served by experienced and professional educators – many of whom have been attracted to Speedway because of its size,” Hull said.
“It was our intent to seek a continuation of the referendum in 2017, but there are no elections in 2017. Instead of paying the cost of a special election in 2017, Speedway decided to seek a continuation of the current referendum in 2016.”
Hull said while the community approved a maximum rate of .59 per $100 of assessed value in 2010, the school corporation has only sought rates between .39 and .52 over the course of the current referendum (2010 to the present).
“Speedway has never levied the maximum amount, just what is necessary to operate at our current level,” said Hull “I think you will find this, not taking the maximum, to be a unique practice. It is also important to note that Speedway retains the second lowest school tax rate (with the referendum included) in Marion County.”
Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Dr. Allen Bourff is expected to make a recommendation to the school board at a January 25 meeting.
“If the Board approves, the referendum will appear on the May 3 ballot,” said Beverly Smith-Redmond, spokesperson for HSE. “As planned, the referendum would be for seven years.
For more information on school referendums, click here.
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