NOV 6TH, 2018

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – Voters have provided approval on a multi-million dollar tax referendum for Indianapolis Public Schools.

With the majority of ballots counted late Tuesday, questions about capital and operating budget increases are projected to be well on their way to approval.

There is a $220 million operating referendum. IPS says this referendum would help cover things like teacher salaries and raises.

Voters were faced with these two questions:

• “Shall Indianapolis Public Schools issue bonds or enter into a lease to finance the IPS Safety and Modernizations Project, which includes renovating and improving school facilities, making security and safety enhancements, and upgrading campus technology and equipment, which is estimated to cost not more than $52,000,000 and is estimated to increase the property tax rate for debt service by a maximum of $0.0332 per $100 of assessed valuation?”

School leaders have previously discussed the need for the money to avoid freezing salaries and construction projects across IPS.

• For the eight (8) calendar years immediately following the holding of the referendum, shall Indianapolis Public Schools impose a property tax rate that does not exceed nineteen and six-tenths cents ($0.1960) on each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation and that is in addition to all other property taxes imposed by the school corporation for the purpose of funding academic and educationally related programs, including the attraction and retention of teachers, expanding academic programs, and providing support for students with special needs?

An IPS spokesperson issued the following statement Tuesday:

“Indianapolis Public Schools is pleased to announce that both questions on the general election ballot passed. We are grateful to voters who supported this effort and will continue our drive to invest in teachers, make our schools safer and provide our students with an inspiring and rewarding education.”