FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The Southwest Allen County School board voted Tuesday night to take a $3.5 million referendum renewal to voters on the May 3 ballot.
The measure, a renewal of a 2009 referendum which is expected to keep the tax levy and anticipated property taxes the same, supports district-wide goals of maintaining class sizes, programs, curricular and elective offerings; guidance counseling; and school safety. Specifically, it would fund 52 existing positions: 23 Elementary School teachers, 11 Middle School teachers, 14 High School teachers, 2 counselors and a school safety resource officer.
“At Southwest Allen County Schools, it is our mission to provide each child in our district with an excellent education that prepares them for the opportunities of tomorrow,” Superintendent Dr. Philip G. Downs says. “That excellent education is due in large part to the generosity of the people of Southwest Allen County. We are incredibly grateful for that community support and trust, especially as we look toward this referendum renewal.”
SACS has been operating with the assistance of a taxpayer-support referendum since 1985.
“Historically, state funding for SACS has been one of the lowest in the state,” Downs says. “This year, our funding is projected to be 358th out of the 363 school districts in Indiana. That puts SACS in the bottom 2 percent of all schools in the state. When the referendum is added in, SACS would be 275th out of 363 school districts, which is still well below the state average.”
The current referendum provides the district with $3.5 million each year. Used to fund approximately 52 certified positions, roughly about 11% of the SACS staff, it runs out in December 2016.
