Elkhart High School teacher Kara Sears works from her classroom on Friday. The school district is seeking a $15.25 million a year referendum for the district for eight years to support better pay and benefits for its teachers and staff. South Bend
Tribune Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN
ELKHART — Those involved in the effort to pass a property tax hike for Elkhart Community Schools know that it isn’t the best time to ask residents to volunteer to pay more.
In the midst of the pandemic, many people are out of work or underemployed — even in the greater Elkhart area, which has rebounded rapidly from the coronavirus-induced recession, thanks largely to a surge in demand for RVs, boats and other products made in the area.
Though RV companies and their suppliers are doing well, the pandemic is still having an enormous impact on restaurants, hotels and other small businesses — some of which have closed over the past several months, said LeVon Johnson, president and CEO of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce.
But school officials say more money is desperately needed to attract and retain teachers amid a national shortage that’s been felt in the Michiana area, too.
“This is an important issue for our community,” said Johnson, who spent about 25 years working in the school system. “The Chamber board and the education council have not had a chance to hear from the school system or officials, but I am confident it will be discussed.”
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