Aside from electing government representatives, Indianapolis residents made another important vote on Nov. 6 by overwhelmingly passing two referendums — one for operating costs and another for capital improvements — to increase funding through property taxes for Indianapolis Public Schools.
During a media roundtable briefing the day after the general election, Superintendent Lewis D. Ferebee said he was pleased with the results.
“We’re extremely grateful for voter support for the two questions that we had on the ballot,” Ferebee said.
The first referendum, $52 million worth of improvements to facilities, will focus on improvements such as better lighting, technology upgrades and security. To fund the improvements, property taxes will increase $0.0332 per $100 of assessed valuation.
The second referendum will raise $220 million to fund operating costs for eight years. The funding will go to a variety of costs such as academic programs, expanding programs and support for special needs. Teacher pay and retention is also a large emphasis of the funding. A property tax increase of $0.1960 per $100 dollars of estimated value will pay for the increased funding.
For a home valued at $75,000, the two referendums increase property taxes by about $3.20 a month.
Both referendums passed by roughly a three to one margin. The immense support for both referendums suggests a large degree of support for the district from local residents.
“We are also excited about the margin of victory,” Ferebee.
At this time, IPS officials are unsure of how much will go toward teacher raises as the district is in the process of collective bargaining.
Current bargaining is only for the 2018-19 school year. IPS is waiting to see the status of state funding to make plans beyond that.
“It’s also important to know that we still don’t have a clear picture about what state funding will be, so we’ll know more hopefully in the spring what funding will be like in the next two years,” Ferebee said. “That will give us more insight on what we can bargain for, but right now, we can only bargain for one year.”
The currently plan is for the taxes and increase funds to last eight years.
“This is a win for the children of Indianapolis Public Schools,” Ferebee said.
Contact staff writer Ben Lashar at 317-762-7848.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect the correct date of the election.
IPS referendums
