The Crown Point Community School Corp. will ask taxpayers on May 8 to keep a budget referendum that now provides about $5 million each year for teachers, nurses and activities.
Nearly 60 percent of the district’s voters approved the original referendum in 2011.
Since then, it has paid for about 70 teachers, nurses in each school and boosted funding for more than 500 school groups including the National Honor Society, theater productions, spelling, math bowl and robotics clubs, according to information provided by Superintendent Teresa Eineman.
If approved in May, the referendum would be extended for another seven years. Tax levies would be unchanged at 12 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, officials said.
Funding from the referendum helps the district to cushion its budget against shortfalls in state funding, according to school officials.
“We want to continue to provide the services to our students,” Friend of Crown Point Schools President and referendum committee head Mark Bates said. “It will allow us to continue the quality that we are accustomed to.”
Some opponents said with Crown Point’s growing population, the district should look for money within its expanding tax base.
State figures show Crown Point’s enrollment has grown in recent years. It currently has 8,501 students in 2017-18, compared to 8,013 in 2013-14. The district has 10 schools, including one high school, two middle schools and seven elementary schools.
Tamara Polisson, 57, a real estate agent, said she voted for the referendum in 2011, but would not support it again.
She said her children got a good education from Crown Point and estimated two-thirds of her property taxes already go toward schools.
“I don’t think it’s fair to be going back to the taxpayers and asking for more and more money,” she said. “So many people are moving in. I really think they (should) look within their budget, like everybody else.”
Lake Central is also asking voters to approve a $55 million budget referendum on May 8. That referendum would raise 17 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Last year, five Northwest Indiana school districts asked voters for a funding increase through property taxes including Munster, East Chicago, Lake Station, Hobart and Hammond. Only East Chicago voters rejected that bid.