The referendum proposed increasing taxes of 8.5 cents per $100 of assessed property value to fund early childcare education and "unfunded needs," according to MCCSC's website.
(Alex Eady/WTIU News)
Monroe County voters approved MCCSC’s Early Learning referendum Tuesday by just more than 100 votes.
The referendum passed with 50.5% of votes, and 49.5% of voters were against the issue.
These results are unoffical and based on final reports from the Monroe County Clerk.
The operational referendum proposed increasing taxes of 8.5 cents per $100 of assessed property value to fund early childcare education, bringing in over $8 million annually, according to MCCSC Director of Logistics and Finance Adam Terwilliger.
MCCSC declined to comment Tuesday night. In a press release Wednesday, MCCSC said the referendum will result in over $75 million invested over eight years.
Three-year-olds who meet free and reduced lunch standards will attend pre-school for free. Four-year-olds will also attend for free or at a reduced price. The district will pay for instructional materials and fees.
Superintendent Jeff Hauswald thanked voters for their support of public education.
“We will continue to be good financial stewards as we move forward with our plans for the 2023 referendum, which will significantly enhance learning opportunities for our students and will remove financial barriers for families while increasing access and opportunities for our students,” Hauswald said.
Chair of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education– Monroe County Keri Miksza said in statement it is encouraging that the MCCSC community is investing in “its youngest members” by improving pre-school access. Miksza said the other parts of the referendum, such as providing free school supplies and paying for career and technical costs, puts MCCSC a step closer to making public school “truly free.”
"Indiana Coalition for Public Education– Monroe County’s most favorite slogan is ‘Public schools are the heart of the community,’” Miksza said. “Through the passage of this referendum, the MCCSC community is investing in its heart which will have a ripple effect in its community.”
Erin Wyatt, an MCCSC Board of School Trustees member for District 1, said in a statement she is glad the referendum passed and appreciates the sacrifice the majority of voters will make as the cost of living rises. Wyatt, also an educator and healthcare professional, is not speaking on behalf of the school board.
The referendum was the only option on the ballot for some in Monroe County, and Wyatt said she commends everyone who took the time to vote.
“I did see a fair number of people, including friends and acquaintances, state on social media that they consider themselves supporters of public education but were reluctant to vote yes on the referendum for different reasons,” Wyatt said. “I hope in the days ahead the apprehension that was experienced is alleviated and each of us can take pride in living in a community with a bright future where exciting things are happening.”
Wyatt said in her experience as a college educator, it’s known that people who weren’t able receive a quality education are at risk for poor health outcomes later in life. Access to early childhood education is one indicator of a quality education. She said when children attend preschool, they have better communication and do better in school throughout their life.
“These are good things for all of us, whether or not we have children in our lives, because in the years ahead we may see positive changes in the workforce and a stronger local economy,” Wyatt said.
The proposed tax increase would expire after six years.
While MCCSC claimed these funds would make access to early childhood education more equitable and have long-term positive impacts, the Monroe County Republican Party criticized the referendum.
In an October statement, the party highlighted how much tax money MCCSC has collected already while cutting Hoosier Hills programs and buying the Herald-Times building. The statement claimed MCCSC “cannot figure out how to properly spend money.”
In 2022, the school district passed an operational referendum. The district reported the increase would go to upping teacher salaries by $4,500 and increasing support staff pay by $2.25 per hour. Pay increases accounted for 87 percent of the operational referendum. The rest is committed to special education services, performing arts and STEM programming, and staff support services.
The district’s 2023 budget passed last October at $157,833,564, approximately $15 million more than the year before.
This story was updated to include statements from Erin Wyatt and Keri Miksza. This story was updated again to include MCCSC's repsonse.
Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on Twitter at @aubreymwright.
