Avon School Board Approves Fall Referendum

The Avon School Board has unanimously approved moving forward with the renewal of their 2018 referendum.

A referendum allows tax payers to vote on whether or not they agree to a raise in property taxes as a way to financially support their local schools.

When the 2018 referendum was initially approved it was state law that tax increases would follow an eight year cycle.

“So when the voters approved that referendum … in May of 2018 we knew we would need to go again to our community in May of 2026, but the legislature changed the rules of the referendum, so now they have to go in November,” Superintendent Scott Wyndham said. Wyndham went on to explain many schools prefer to pursue referendums in May because that is when they are building budgets and hiring.

Thus, the new legislation pushing the vote to November ballots could lead to a budget shortfall for the schools.

“If a referendum failed in November, we can’t cut teaching positions in November, those teachers have contracts for a school year,” the Superintendent explained. Thus, Avon School Board Approves Fall Referendum the current renewal left the school corporation with a quick decision to make. Rather than waiting till the official eight years was up in ‘26, they opted for trying for a referendum this fall.

“If the board waited until November of 2026 and the voters rejected it, we would have to run a $7 million budget shortfall because we would have to pay those teachers for the rest of the last half of their contract with no referendum funds coming in.”

There are currently 142 certified positions (think teachers, coaches, counselors), and 31 support staff (such as classroom assistants) whose salaries rely solely on the 2018 referendum.

“If the referendum (renewal) were to fail, we no longer have funds coming in to pay those positions,” Wyndham said.

The 2018 referendum was approved for a maximum rate of 35 cents, though the superintendent emphasized how the school only ever set the rate at what they needed and never asked for the maximum.

The board approved a rate of 33 cents for this renewal. Residents of Washington Township will have the opportunity to vote on the renewal this November.