The Monroe County Community School Corporation will put its third operating referendum since 2010 in front of voters this fall.
The district’s board of school trustees voted Tuesday to place an operating referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot worth up to 18.5 cents per $100 of net assessed property value.
If approved, the referendum will generate $15.5 million each year for eight years. Teachers will make an additional $4,500 per year and staff wages will increase $2.25 per hour.
“We know that based upon the shortages of staff we’ve experienced in the past couple years, now more than ever, we need this,” MCCSC superintendent Jeff Hauswald said. “We know this may be a cost, but it’s also an investment.”
The average homeowner with a net assessed property value of $135,000 would pay about $127 in additional taxes each year.
READ MORE: City Limits: MCCSC looking to generate $15.5 million in largest local referendum yet
If denied, the district will lose $7.3 million in operating expenses and Hauswald said it will be forced to lay off more than 100 employees.
“This is the way we can show support for our kids,” board member Cathy Fuentes Rohwer said. “It’s essential because the state is not doing what they're supposed to be doing.”
Meal Prices
The board also approved increased meal prices for the 2022-23 school year, in accordance with U.S.D.A regulations.
Meals were free for all students during the last two tears under ESSER funds, but prices will increase from the 2019-20 school year. Lunch will cost .25 cents more for all grades and breakfast will cost .10 cents more.
READ MORE: Child Nutritional Waiver to expire at the end of June
“Because of ESSER we had free lunches for a few years,” Hauswald said. “That might have disincentivized people from applying that may qualify for free and reduced lunches."
MCCSC’s extended care program will be free for families that are eligible for free and reduced lunch and textbooks.
General Obligation Bond
The board also approved a project resolution and preliminary bond resolution for a $13 million investment in buses, technology, equipment, and site improvements around the district.
The project resolution establishes the amount of money to be borrowed and the preliminary bond resolution authorizes providing funds for the project.
