Indianapolis voters OK referendum to generate $95M for IPS, charter schools – WFYI

Indianapolis voters OK referendum to generate $95M for IPS, charter schools  WFYI

The ballot measure to generate an additional $95 million in property taxes for IPS and charter schools with about 63% of the vote. Voters passed a property tax increase to generate an estimated $95 million for Indianapolis Public Schools and roughly 60 charter schools throughout the city. The extra funding is a lifeline for the district, which faced potential state intervention without the measure due to its dire financial situation. About 63% of voters approved the ballot question, according to unofficial results. The referendum is a historic one for Indianapolis, where about 40% of students within IPS borders attend charter schools. It’s the first time charter schools enrolling IPS students will receive a proportional share of money from the referendum, which was floated by the newly created Indianapolis Public Education Corporation.

State lawmakers created the mayor-appointed agency to take control over IPS buildings and transportation and manage property tax levies to benefit both IPS and charters alike. The result mirrors wins for most school districts asking for tax increases throughout Marion County — tax measures for Beech Grove, Wayne Township and Washington Township schools also passed. Decatur Township voters rejected their school referendum, with about 54% of voters against it. IPEC faced an uphill battle with the referendum, as voters across the state experience a rise in the cost of