Round 2- 2024 School Referendum

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vote yes or noUpdated Mar 19, 2024 

 Indiana_Education_Funding_Explained – 13 pages. Written and Compiled by the House Republican Policy and Ways & Means Staff.

A proposed referendum by the Brown County Schools was rejected by the voters in the 2022 “General” Election in November.  The School Board has approved a new referendum for the May “Primary” ballot.  The ballot question has to be accepted by the County Election Board.  Early voting begins on April 9, 2024.

Mar 19, 2024.  Brown County Democrat. Forum will explore school referendum, by Dakota Bruton, BCD

Mar 14, 2024. Brown County Matters – follow-up post on the tax issue from a proponent of the referendum, school’s response ….

Mar 14, 202. Brown County Matters.  Taxes.  The discussion between the school board member Amy Huffman Oliver and the public on the issue regarding the amount of taxes citizens and proposed increase.

Brown County Schools Website – They currently have a pop-up that includes a tax calculator:   (Note: I’ve contacted Mar 12) the auditor for confirmation).

A little history – A Letter I wrote in 2016 regarding the first referendum in response to a letter written by David Shaffer – then School superintendent.  The reference to declining enrollments and affordable housing led me to volunteer at the Redevelopment Commissioner (RDC). Students from IU/SPEA -Masters Public Administration (MPA) program published two research projects on our economic base which impacts enrollment and affordability.

    •  (1) The school funding formula from the state is inadequate; (2) Maintaining current quality standards and expanding and enhancing programs at projected budget levels is not possible without new funding from the local taxpayers; (3) School funding is linked to enrollment and enrollment has been declining; and (4) Declining enrollment is likely due to the lack of affordable available housing and competitive-paying jobs that attract young families.

March 23, 2024. Received the notice today March 11, 2024). The Community Conversation-School Referendum 3-23-24

Mar 12, 2024.   Shared post at Brown County Matters from Sherrie Mitchell –  schools are receiving 57% of property tax. The supporting documentation:

Mar 12, 2024. How would referendum affect taxes by Amy Oliver Huffman, Brown County Democrat

March 12, 2024. 2:00 p.m. Election Board Meeting. School Referendum – Process. Does the Election Board have the responsibility to make the final decision on allowing the referendum question on the May Primary Ballot?  This question posted at Brown County Matters.

Mar 5, 2024. Enrollment decline impacts finances, Amy Huffman Oliver, School Board member, Brown County Democrat.

    • “Since 2018, we have had declining student enrollment in Brown County Schools.”

Feb 28, 2024. Feb 28, 2024, School trustee answers referendum questions by Amy Huffman Oliver Brown County Democrat

Feb 27, 2023.  Public Question Certification 2024 from School to Election Board (Feb 16, 2024)

    •  Schools “request” and required notification to the Election Board dated Feb 16, 2024. Curious about the responsibility of the Election Board. The Primaries have a lower turnout than the general.
    • In the 2022 elections, turnout in the primary was 31% where only 3,983 people voted. In the 2022 General Election, turnout was 47%, and 6,128 people voted.
    • o. In the 2022 general election/Referendum, 2,694 (47%) voters favored the proposed operating referendum, and 3,027 (53%) voted against it, for a total of 5,721 votes. Referendum failed by 333 votes.
    • Per IC 20-46-1-14, the ballot question must be certified to the county election board no later than 74 days before the primary election (Feb 23, 2024).
    • This Post at Brown County Matters.

Feb 21, 2024. Brown County Democrat – School Board Member Outlines Referendum – Feb 21, 2024 by Amy Huffman Oliver. Email: amoliver@browncounty schools.com.

Feb 20, 2024. Enrollment Numbers:

Enrollment 2007-2024

Feb 19, 2024 Required Documentation (Provided by the DLGF).

Referendum Vote in 2022.  In the 2022 General Election in November, 2,694 (47%) voters favored the proposed operating referendum, and 3,027 (53%) voted against it, for a total of 5,721 votes. Referendum failed by 333 votes.

Voter Turnout in 2022. Voter Turnout in Primaries is historically low. In the 2022 elections, turnout was 31% where only 3,983 people voted. In the 2022 General Election, turnout was 47%, and 6,128 people voted.

 General Guidance:

    • Ballot Question submitted to DLGF on Feb 7, 2024.  As required by IC 20-46-1-8, the DLGF must review the proposed ballot question within 10 days of receipt of the resolution from the school board.
    • Per IC 20-46-1-14, the ballot question must be certified to the county election board no later than 74 days before the primary election (Feb 23, 2024).

Feb 14, 2024. Brown County Democrat. School Board Votes to Put Referendum on the Ballot, by Amy Oliver Huffman.

Feb 12, 2024. 2024 Brown County Auditors  Certification of Percentage Included in Referendum Question :

    • Contacted the DLGF. They received the petition from the school on Feb 7 and have 10 days to review and approve – ‘Feb 21, 2024.  The
    • The referendum question on the ballot: “The average property tax increase paid to the school corporation per year will increase by 28.16% for residences and 17.28 % on business property.”
      • Max Rate provided by the School Corporation is .10.
      • 28.16%  Percent increase – property taxes paid to the school
      • 17.28%  – Percent increase of property tax paid by businesses

Dec 20, 2023  Brown County Democrat. Schools share results of engagement survey, by Emily Tracy. The Democrat usually no longer post articles on their Facebook page or website. I had to scan the article from their E-Edition.

Dec 12, 2024. Looking forward, back at the turn of the year, by Carol Bowden, VP School Board.

    • We will be voting on whether to have another vote by the community on the May ballot 2024 for the referendum.

Dec 5, 2023. “TODAY AND THIS WEEK UNTIL FRIDAY! DROP INTO THE WHITE HOUSE OR THE CRC TO SIGN THE PETITION FOR THE REFERENDUM TO BE ON NEXT YEAR’S BALLOT:  Questions? Call the Superintendent and she will answer them!  We ARE Brown County!

Nov 9, 2023. BCM. Question regarding the school referendum. Did the school have documented goals/objectives from the last 15 million dollar referendum? Were the goals achieved?

Nov 8, 2023.  Brown County Schools – 11-6-23 Revised Agenda – Stipends / Supplemental Pay

Nov 4, 2023.  Would you support a Voluntary referendum?

The BCCS  has indicated via a recent survey (I received on Halloween – Oct 31, 2023) that they intend to propose a new referendum.  Completed surveys requested by Nov 17, 2023.

School tax rates State and Regional Comparisons

school debt tax rate enrollment

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