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Teacher's jobs, school upgrades at stake as Washington Twp. residents vote on referendum

Posted at 6:29 PM, Oct 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-25 18:53:24-04

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Ind. -- The elections are drawing close but it’s not just the next President that will be decided.

In Washington Township – there’s two important questions residents will see on their ballots November 8.

The Metropolitan School District of Washington Township is asking taxpayers to support a $185 million construction project referendum and a $6.5 million operating referendum.

The district has many buildings over fifty years old and many elementary buildings are overcrowded to the point of impacting the educational process, according to documents on the district’s website.

The district is looking to make a slew of improvements including renovating schools, upgrading fire alarms and security, replacing boilers, and creating additional learning spaces.

The construction referendum would go to fix those things - with money going towards renovations at 10 buildings and the construction of a new elementary school which will help with overcrowding.

The money from the operating referendum would go towards teacher salaries and hiring new staff. If it doesn't pass, more than 100 positions could be cut. 

“There are things within our district that are simply beyond repair, there’s wiring that can’t be fixed anymore because they don’t make the parts for the panels,” said mother of two, Emily Kaiser.

Kaiser’s encouraging people to vote yes to both of the referendums, “We’ve made do with a little bit for a long time and you can only do that for so long before it starts to affect your students, teachers and property values.”

Other residents, like Penny Bigelow, agree that the district needs money – but think it’s asking for too much.

“I’m concerned about the senior citizens that have fixed income. I’m concerned about the low income people including renters because renters will have a price increase too,” said Bigelow.

If approved, the average taxpayer of a $173,200 home (median home price in Washington Township) would pay an extra $18.93 a month for the construction referendum and $7.38 a month for the operating referendum for a total of $26.31 a month.

You can find out how much you will have to pay by using the calculator provided by MSD Washington Township.

RELATED| Washington Township considering $185M construction referendum | Washington Twp. school board to vote on referendums | Washington Twp. sends school referendums to voters