Indianapolis Public Schools seeks voters’ support for referendum INDIANAPOLIS — Voters will decide the future of funding in the Indianapolis Public Schools district as they consider whether to approve or deny a property tax increase. According to the ballot, a homeowner with a $150,000 hom e could pay $221 a year. Because IPS has a current referendum that ends this year, the district estimates that, if the new referendum is approved, the same homeowner would pay about $115 more a year, or $9 a month. Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said the property tax increase would cost about the same as one cup of coffee a month. “It’s a tough message. No one can dispute that we need you to support us and make a decision to raise your taxes and continue to contribute to our district,” Johnson said. If the referendum passes, it would generate $95 million each of the next four years. Half would go to IPS, and the other half would go to charter schools. Johnson called the referendum an investment in Indianapolis students. “To, one, insure that we can have competitive pay for our staff and teachers, to make sure we can support our most vulnerable students.” She said the money funds special education needs, and programs to teach English as a second language. “We want to make sure our kids have access to the opportunities we’re giving them now,” she said. Johnson said IPS must still cut up to $20 million from its budget even if voters approve the referendum. IPS officials said if voters reject the measure, the district could face about $45 million in cuts. Luke Boggess, a high school teacher at Crispus Attucks and the father of an IPS student, has taught for 14 years. He said IPS budget cuts impact students and workers every year. “We cut our busing services, and again, people who were driving buses feeding their families, feeding their kids. It’s one thing when it’s a number on a piece of paper, but when you know those people, it’s even harder to make those decisions,” Boggess said. Election Day is Nov. 3. IPS will hold another informational meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 20 at the school district office. ...read more read less