Results pending: South Bend Schools referendum

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. — As of 10:45 p.m. Tuesday night, the South Bend Schools referendum of whether the district should get up to $210 million over the next eight years for upping teacher pay and renovating the district hasn't seen a winner yet.

Voters willing to speak with ABC 57 spoke of wanting to help the students above all when deciding whether to vote yes or no.
“We will protect our school systems, our children, our community, our town, and everything else, that we will make a difference,” voter Barb Jones said.
“We all need to make a difference and an increase will not hurt anybody.”

But Chairman of the Vote No South Bend PAC Brian Pawlowsk said that tax increase – two cents per every hundred dollars - means an unnecessary burden on residents when a more thorough plan can be offered in years to come.

“A no vote for the referendum is not the end for South Bend Schools,” Pawlowski said.
“We actually think it’s the beginning, because that can open the door for a year or two long process which South Bend can really cultivate a plan that is meaningful and that has outcomes attached to it. Not just the thing they’ve placed in front of us right now.”

ABC 57 will update results from the two referendum questions as the record number of absentee ballots are counted in the coming days.