LaPorte school board approves agreement to receive Microsoft tax revenue for education programs
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Summary
The LaPorte Community School Corp board unanimously approved a resolution to accept a new agreement under which Microsoft would pay property taxes in full and the La Porte Redevelopment Commission would allocate 15% of that revenue to the district for 20 years; payments depend on assessment and are expected to begin in 2028 with a larger payment in 2029.
The LaPorte Community School Corp board on March 3 approved a resolution accepting a new tax-revenue agreement tied to Microsoft’s planned data center, voting 7-0 to formalize a structure that will have Microsoft pay property taxes in full and direct 15% of the resulting revenue to the district for 20 years.
The measure, introduced as new business at the special meeting, replaces an earlier pilot tax (PILOT) structure and was described by Dr. Wood as “significantly more favorable to the district” and as creating “an extraordinary opportunity for long term investment in our students and our schools.” The change follows actions by the La Porte City Council, the plan commission, and the redevelopment commission to rescind the prior agreement and authorize the revised arrangement.
Board members sought and received several clarifications before the vote. A board member asked whether the funds would be restricted to city-area schools; Dr. Wood responded that the district may allocate the revenue “to the educational programming within our entire school district at our discretion.” On timing, Dr. Wood explained that property taxes are assessed after a structure is complete and paid in arrears, estimating a partial build could be assessed in January 2027 (leading to a first partial payment in 2028) and that the first significant payment would likely arrive in 2029. Dr. Wood cautioned that precise dollar amounts cannot be determined until a completed structure is assessed.
Dr. Wood also emphasized that today’s action accepts the agreement and does not allocate funds: once revenues begin to flow, any spending will proceed through the district’s normal budget process and board approval in keeping with transparency laws. President Seabert thanked city leaders for choosing the revised structure, saying the city “willfully accepted and followed” the mayor’s leadership in advancing the arrangement.
The board’s recorded tally was 7-0 in favor. The board scheduled its next meeting for March 9, 2026 at 6 p.m. The resolution will produce revenue only after Microsoft’s project is built and assessed; district officials said they expect to include allocations through the regular budget process when payments begin.
