NACS leaders outline $12.16 million operating referendum to fund CTE facility, raises and staffing

Northwest Allen County Schools officials presented details of an operating referendum that would impose a property tax rate not to exceed 0.2787 and a maximum annual levy of $12,156,914 to fund a new career and technical education (CTE) facility, employee pay increases and additional district staff if voters approve the measure on Nov. 4.

The referendum question as read at the meeting was, “Shall Northwest Allen County Schools increase property taxes paid to the school corporation for no more than 8 years for the purpose of funding educational instruction and staffing at a career and technical education facility, retention and attraction of teachers, support staff and administrators, school safety and well-being staffing and initiatives, instructional support staffing at all buildings, and district wide staffing by imposing a property tax rate that does not exceed 0.2787.” Superintendent Barker read the ballot language and said that the measure would result in a maximum annual amount not to exceed $12,156,914 and that the district estimates a median $350,000 home’s annual tax bill would increase by $505 if the referendum is fully levied.

Why it matters: District leaders said the referendum would fund programs and personnel they say are needed to maintain the district’s current level of services and expand career-technical offerings. The board and administration framed the proposal as tied to the district strategic plan and community feedback gathered in…