Voters gave their approval for Pike Township schools to raise property taxes in order to fund district operations and programs that had relied on federal COVID-19 relief funding.
With the measure passing Tuesday night, the district will become the first to share some of its property tax revenue with eligible charter schools as mandated by a 2023 state law.
Unofficial results as of 10 p.m. in Marion County showed about 59% of voters approving the Pike tax referendum. The vote tally was 5,417 in favor and 3,799 against, with 100% of county vote centers reporting.
Three other districts in Indiana had tax referendums on the ballot during Tuesday’s primary election.According to unofficial results, around 52% of voters approved a referendum from Fremont Community Schools, with a vote tally of 935 to 874 as of Wednesday morning.
And around 55% of voters approved a referendum from Brown County Schools 2,122 to 1,754.
Meanwhile, around 83% of voters rejected a referendum from Blue River Valley Schools in Henry County. The vote tally was 884 to 179 as of 9:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Districts can seek ballot measures to raise tax revenue to fund operations and construction, as well as school safety. Each district with a referendum this year hoped to use at least some of the dollars to attract and retain staff, as well as fund programs, and more.
The referendums need a simple majority to pass.
We’ll keep updating this story with results as they become available.
Metropolitan School District of Pike Township
Property tax rate: $0.24 per $100 of assessed property value for eight years
Estimated annual revenue: $14.5 million
If approved, the district could have to share some funds with eligible charter schools.
Unofficial results:
Yes: 58.8%
No: 41.2%
Blue River Valley Schools
Property tax rate: $0.19 per $100 of assessed value for eight years
Estimated annual revenue: $359,594
Unofficial results:
Yes: 16.8%
No: 83.2%
Brown County Schools
Property tax rate: $0.10 per $100 of assessed property value for eight years
Estimated annual revenue: $1,879,051
Unofficial results:
Yes: 54.7%
No: 45.3%
Fremont Community Schools
Property tax rate: $0.15 per $100 of assessed property value for eight years
Estimated annual revenue: $2,384,719
Unofficial results:
Yes: 51.7%
No: 48.3%