INDIANAPOLIS -- Some Franklin Township parents feel the school district has an unfair advantage in getting its message out in support of a Nov. 3 referendum because it uses school resources to do so.

Information about the referendum is included in school fliers sent to homes through the mail and with students.

Heather Simpson, who has both elementary and high school students in the district, doesn't believe school resources should be used to push the district's agenda, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.

"I think if they're going to use school resources and school paper and send things through the mail on the school's dime, then you should let the people who are saying, 'No, we don't want this,' to have the same sort of access," Simpson said.

Chris MacNaughton, an employee of the school district, told 6News that he created a Web site in support of the referendum on a school system computer server, contending that the approach was neither illegal nor unethical.

"The money has come from the fundraising we've done, which is not much. We do host it on the school machine, but the costs for that, they'll tell you it's negligible," MacNaughton said.

MacNaughton added that he donated all the time that he used to work on the Web site, but the site is not the only bone of contention for some parents because of the use of district mailings and newsletters that also have information about the referendum.

Superintendent Walter Bourke wasn't available for comment for this story, but Election Board representative Angela Nussmeyer said the district's handling of the referendum is in a gray area, and that unless citizens file specific complaints with the board, it's likely nothing would be done even if there were violations.

"They are a property tax levy referendum. That's the question that's on the ballot, so there are no ... official rules of conduct outlined specifically in statute," Nussmeyer said. "Now that's not to say there aren't other parts of state law they have violated."

Franklin Township, like many districts, contends that the effects of property tax reform are leaving them with not enough money to properly fulfill their mission. The district believes the referendum is a way to ensure a quality education.

Some residents disagree, and have begun a grassroots campaign against the referendum.

"They're hearing that their kids are going to lose quality education. They can't take away quality education," said Jen Gearries, who put homemade "vote no" signs in her yard, along with anti-referendum fliers in a plastic container.

The referendum would raise yearly taxes on a $150,000 home by about $150, Hightower reported.

Those against the referendum worry that their message isn't getting out, and feel that the district's usage of its resources gives it an unfair advantage.

"I don't think school servers should be used to host political action committee Web sites," Simpson said.

Residents who have questions or concerns about the referendum can contact the Marion County Election Board, which holds its next meeting on Oct. 21.

More: Marion County Election Board