With voters saying no to Zionsville Community Schools’ operating referendum in the Tuesday, Nov. 2, general election, the school board is now weighing its options.
The referendum had asked residents and businesses to pay a tax rate of 29.5 cents on every $100 of a property‘s assessed net value, which would have grossed $5.8 million for the schools annually for seven years. The corporation has cut $4.85 million from its budget since 2009.
At this point a reduction in force is still on the table, though Superintendent Scott Robison said during the monthly school board meeting Monday, Nov. 8, their core mission of student growth remains
“It requires we have teachers and counselors working with and for our youth in order for that core mission to play out,” he said. “Our focus is the continued employment of as many high-quality teachers and counselors as possible.”
Other cost-cutting options being explored include ongoing energy savings, bond refinancing, outsourcing, concessions with the teachers union and utilizing cooperatives.
Revenue alternatives are being given more attention now that state and property tax funds aren’t what they used to be. Those include fees, sponsorships, donations and grants and the rainy day fund. Robison recommends “pay-to-participate” for all extra-curricular activities starting in the spring.
In the meantime, school officials will continue seeking alternative funds, develop specific cost information for all school services and programs, and set public school board work sessions early next year. If any staff is laid off, the decision must come by the school board’s April meeting, per teacher contracts.
Board member Bill Stanczykiewicz is optimistic it won’t come to that. He noted that Gov. Mitch Daniels recently said there isn’t a need for more K-12 budget cuts.
“Even though (the state has) missed their projections of what is now an outdated budget document, right now compared to last year the state is $200 million ahead of where they were when they were prompted to make those first round of cuts,” he said.
Stanczykiewicz also said he’s happy to see the rainy day fund being considered as an alternative revenue source.
“It’s good to have that option and not look at laying off any teachers as long as there’s even one dollar in that fund,” he said.
Board President Robert Wingerter doesn’t think the community is in denial about what its school system is facing.
“At this point, that’s behind us,” he said. “We’ve got to move forward, and I think the community feels that way. Preserving the high standards of education is something I think we’re all committed to. We’ll go forward from here with what we’ve got.”