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Michigan City schools outline $80 million operating referendum for November ballot
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Wyndham McCollum told the city council the Michigan City Area Schools will ask voters Nov. 3 to approve an eight-year operating referendum totaling $80 million that would raise about $10 million a year for classroom needs, programming and safety supports. Council members asked about cost, timing and prior cuts.
Dr. Wyndham McCollum, superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools, told the council on July 21 that the school board will place an eight-year operating referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot that would raise $80,000,000 total — roughly $10,000,000 per year — to pay for day-to-day operations.
The district plans to devote approximately 65% of the revenue to classroom needs, including reducing class size and expanding career and technical education, 20% to educationally related programs such as after-school transport and supports, and 15% to safety and student supports, McCollum said. He said the district has cut about $2,000,000 in costs this spring but projects it may need to reduce another $4,000,000 without additional operating revenue.
"That operating referendum would be over the course of 8 years for a total of $80,000,000 or $10,000,000 per year," McCollum said, adding that the ballot language uses a $200,000 median-house value for public notice even though the local median is about $164,000. Using the required $200,000 figure, McCollum said the literature shows a $260 annual tax increase before credits; the district is developing an online calculator so homeowners can see the effect at their own assessed value.
Council members asked for clarifications during a short question-and-answer period. Councilman Dabney expressed support for the schools and said he feared the state-level tax changes were forcing local referendums. Councilman Przybylinski and others pressed for clear voter education; McCollum said the district will host an informational meeting Thursday at the high school at 6 p.m. and maintain materials on educatemc.net.
The district cited the 2013 failed referendum as context, noting program and staff cuts at that time. McCollum said the proposed plan is intended to avoid similar reductions and preserve extracurriculars, literacy and math interventions, and teacher support. He also noted the district is planning a separate $185 million bonding program strictly for capital projects and is legally barred from using debt-service funds for operating expenses.
The council did not act on the referendum itself; the presentation served to inform members and the public. McCollum said the board and district will continue public outreach before the Nov. 3 vote.
