Wayne Township Schools To Seek $67M Referendum

Wayne Township School District will seek a $67.2 million dollar property tax referendum in the May 5 primary. The school board approved the request Monday.

The district is faced with a $8 million general budget shortfall due to a combination of property tax caps, decreases in assessed property valuations and other factors.

“Money generated by the referendum would also allow the district to replace the general fund dollars currently spent on transportation and preventive maintenance,” according to a news release sent out by Mary Lang, district spokeswoman.

The referendum could generate 9.6 million in each of the next seven years with a local property tax rate increase of 35 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

For the median homeowner in Wayne Township, that means an increase of $7.83 per month, according to the district.

Since 2008, a state law has required voters to decide whether to give more funding to public school districts above and beyond property tax caps.

Since 2008 there have been 104 referendums held in Indiana -- 52 have passed and 52 have failed, according to the Indiana University Center for Evaluation & Education Policy Of those 53 were for operational funds and 30 prevailed. But referendums for new construction projects have fared worse -- only 20 of 47 have meet voter approval.

Wayne Superintedent Jeff Butts will promoted the referendum through the group Yes 4 Wayne. 

Contact WFYI education reporter Eric Weddle at eweddle@wfyi.org or call (317) 614-0470. Follow on Twitter: @ericweddle.