From: Nancy Warren
Columbus
Fact: Indiana law provides one method for districts to increase funding for operating expenses like salaries and safety: a property tax referendum.
Figures: More than 600 teachers have been replaced since 2012 through turnover or resignations. Teacher resignations from 2003 to 2011 averaged 17 per year; from 2012 to 2020 resignations averaged 49 per year. Frequent turnover of the teaching staff has been shown to negatively affect students in their ability to learn.
Safety: 12-year-old school buses require increasing and regular maintenance to pass safety inspections. Bus drivers and other support staff positions remain open/unfilled for extended periods of time.
Fact: No referendum money will go to administrators and we will remain below the Indiana average.
Fact: Since 2005, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. has made changes in their energy use, resulting in a savings of $75,000 annually on the utilities budget.
On a personal note, and even though I am an elderly citizen, I have never stopped caring about the safety and importance of education for our children. My father wa an elementary school teacher for 31 years.
It is my hope that by adding my thoughts to yours, we will speak as one voice in choosing to support the referendum and increase our children’s learning experience, their safety, and with appreciation for this opportunity to invest in our community and their future.
