FAIRLAND — Northwestern Consolidated Schools wants voters to decide on a $500,000 referendum in November.
School board members voted 6-0 Wednesday night to move ahead with the referendum. If passed by voters, it would increase the tax rate by $0.116 per $100 of assessed valuation, according to the school system’s treasurer, Nate Day. Board member Ken Polston was absent.
The referendum would raise extra taxes to support the school system’s operating budget. State officials have cut general funds for school systems throughout the state.
Board members debated when to have the referendum vote, after Northwestern Superintendent Ellen Welk and Day recommended waiting until May to have a special election.
Board member Jeremy Miller said, after a crowd attended the board meeting when the referendum was originally discussed, he thinks the community is ready for the vote in November.
“People are expecting it,” Miller said. “I think we should do it in November while it’s fresh in everybody’s minds.”
Also at Wednesday’s meeting:
--School board members unanimously approved a dissolution agreement to end its partnership with the dissolving Blue River Special Education Cooperative. The board also approved an agreement to join Hancock Madison Shelby Educational Services, a cooperative of special education services between Northwestern, Greenfield-Central Community School Corp., South Madison Community School Corp., Mount Vernon Community School Corp., Community School Corp. of Southern Hancock County and Community School Corp. of Eastern Hancock County. Northwestern’s share in the cooperative is 6.1 percent.
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