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Three Indiana school districts are seeking approval from voters for new or renewed property tax increases that will help support teacher pay, bus transportation, and academic programs.
It’s the first such ask for Kokomo School Corporation and Twin Lakes Community Schools, while Lake Station Community Schools is again asking voters to approve an extension of its 2017 tax rate. At least one district — Twin Lakes — says it would face teacher and staff layoffs if its referendum fails.
Operating referendum revenue supplements state funding for the costs of staffing schools and running programs and transportation. Other kinds of referendums are available for construction and for school safety initiatives, but no districts are seeking these this year.
Notably, Lake Station is subject to a 2023 law requiring certain districts to share property tax revenue with charter schools. If its referendum passes, Lake Station will share around $28,000 with charter schools.
We’ll update this story throughout election night with the results of each district’s referendum. Polls close at 6 p.m. Eastern Time Nov. 5.
Kokomo School Corp.
Property tax rate: 0.26 per $100 of assessed value for eight years.
Annual revenue: $6,166,000
Total revenue over eight years: $49,328,000
Results:
Lake Station Community Schools
Renewal of a property tax rate previously approved in 2017: $0.54 per $100 of assessed value for eight years.
Annual revenue: $1,412,824
Total revenue over eight years: $11,302,592
Results:
Twin Lakes School Corp.
Property tax rate: $0.25 per $100 of assessed value for eight years.
Annual revenue: $3,500,000
Total revenue over eight years: $28,000,000
Results:
Aleksandra Appleton covers Indiana education policy and writes about K-12 schools across the state. Contact her at aappleton@chalkbeat.org.
