Wawasee school referendum fails, Bremen schools referendum passes
Both Wawasee Community Schools and Bremen Public Schools had a referendum on the ballot. Wawasee was attempting to raise funds to pay for school safety and security measures, career and technical education and adult education, but it failed. Bremen will use the funds raised for school nurses and mental health support for students.
Wawasee Community Schools - FAILED 5,994 (no) 2,284 (yes)
Voters in the Wawasee Community Schools district will vote on a referendum that is seeking an increased property rate tax of 28 1/2 cents for the next 8 years. It's a raise school officials say is long overdue. Right now Wawasee has the lowest tax rate in the county. And the increase would make the total tax rate around 70 cents. Meaning for someone with $150,000 house, your taxes could go up $175 a year. However, school officials say the 28 1/2 cents is the highest amount asked and that the increase will most likely be around the 14 cent range.
All of the profits will be going to the safety and security, the Pathways Programs helping students get real jobs right out of school, and an adult education program.
Full text of the ballot question:
INFORMATION: “For the eight calendar years immediately following the holding of the referendum, shall Wawasee Community School Corporation impose a property tax rate that does not exceed $0.285 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation, and that is in addition to all other property taxes imposed by the school corporation, for the purpose of funding the expansion of safety and security measures, and the retention and expansion of school programming and instruction, including career-and-technical education and adult education?”
More info: 'It's pay me now or pay me later': Wawasee Schools seek raised tax this November
Bremen Public Schools - PASSED 2,316 (yes) 787 (no)
The Bremen Public Schools referendum would increase the property tax rate by 6 cents. Meaning for a house that is $167,000, the average in the area, it would mean an increased tax of $3.81 cents a month.
All of the profits - over $300,000 - will be going to mental and physical health. Officials need to hire more nurses and counselors as well as related supplies.
Full text of the ballot question:
INFORMATION: “For the eight calendar years immediately following the holding of the referendum, shall the Bremen Pubic Schools impose a property tax rate that does not exceed six cents on each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation, and that is in addition to all other property taxes imposed by the school corporation, for the purpose of funding student health services including an additional nurse and student mental health support?”
More info: Bremen Schools seek tax raise for students mental, physical health fund