There was low turnout and just a handful of questions when Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. officials opened the first public information session Thursday night about a proposed operating referendum.
The school corporation is seeking voter approval in the May 5 primary for an operating referendum projected to generate around $7.8 million per year in additional property tax revenue to fund teacher and support staff salary increases and student safety.
Around 20 people attended the first public information session at Taylorsville Elementary School cafeteria, 9711 Walnut St. More than half of those in attendance were BCSC officials.
During the session, BCSC Superintendent Jim Roberts gave a 40-minute presentation, making his case for why the school corporation believes the referendum is necessary — most notably, an increase in teacher turnover over the past several years.
If approved by voters in May, the referendum would increase BCSC’s property taxes by $0.156 per $100 of assessed value to roughly $1.01 starting in 2021. BCSC officials initially had sought a $0.195 per $100 of assessed valuation increase, but lowered the request before the public information sessions began.
A total of 86% of the increased property tax revenue would be spent on employee recruitment and retention and 14% on student safety and security, according to figures from BCSC.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
