Jim Hunter, lead custodian at Mishawaka High School, shows where containers are being used to catch water leaking from the rook of the gymnasium Monday, Oct. 31, 2016. Staff photo by Robert Franklin
At a glance
Voters who live in the School City of Mishawaka district will see two questions on their Nov. 8 election ballot.
1. Voters will be asked to approve property tax increases to fund $13 million in capital projects, including $8 million in building safety and security improvements.
2. Voters will be asked to approve property tax increases that would raise $1.8 million a year for seven years (a total of $12.6 million) for the school district’s operating budget.
Impact on property taxes
If both measures pass, starting in 2018 the owner of a home with an assessed value of $100,000 would pay an additional $134.66 per year until 2023. From 2024 to 2032, the tax impact would decline to $54.95 per year for the same homeowner.
MISHAWAKA — When they go to the polls Nov. 8, voters in the School City of Mishawaka district will be asked to vote on two referendums seeking to raise $25.6 million for the school system’s facilities and operations.
School City is asking for voter approval of property tax hikes that would raise $1.8 million per year over seven years for the district’s operations budget, and an additional $13 million for capital improvements, $8 million of which would go to safety and security improvements.
After 69 percent of voters voted down a $28 million referendum in 2013, School City of Mishawaka is going back to the public to ask for money to enhance security and update aging school facilities, and for additional money for employee raises, technology upgrades and new programming options for schools.
Anne Wiesjahn is a former Mishawaka school board member who opposed the referendum in 2013, but this time, is helping lead the effort to pass the measures. She said she’s been involved through the whole process and is convinced the school system did everything it could before asking taxpayers for more money.
“This time I have to support it,” she said.
Good schools will help attract additional development to Mishawaka, creating a larger tax base and better schools in the long run, she said.
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