2. What is a referendum? An Operating Fund Referendum allows local school districts to request permission through a direct vote to assess additional property taxes.
14. A word about property values “8-20% of a home’s value can be tied to the reputation of the school system” (The Journal of Real Estate Research – 2009)
15. New sources of revenue - community support! $105,000 in grant dollars were found to support programs at ACSC The Avon Education Foundation provided over $57,000 for ACSC programs in 2010
16. We have reduced the cost of administration in Avon while adding schools
17. How does Avon compare? Avon ranks 181 out of 333 districts in cost per student Only 6.2¢ of each budget dollar goes to administrative salaries/benefits
19. Property taxes Property tax bill was lowered by an average of 15.87% in 2009 $0.1705 will add back 10.7% of your property tax bill from this reduction for 2012 School tax portion of your bill would be below 2008 levels
20. What does this mean to me? Increase of $13.89/month on a $200,000 house Help preserve the Avon standard for teaching and learning
22. Impact to children Larger class sizes at all levels Reduction of programs Extra-curricular Academic Increased usage fees for parents
23. What do we need from you? Vote YES on May 3 $0.1705 on the property tax rate to raise $3.4 million annually These funds will be used to preserve the Avon standard for teaching and learning
24. What can you do? Register to vote Deadline Apr 4 indianavoters.in.gov May 3 vote YES in support of the Avon Community and the Avon Referendum question! Absentee voting begins April 4 Help preserve the Avon standard for teaching and learning
An Operating Fund Referendum was created by the Indiana Legislature to allow local school districts to request permission through a direct vote to assess property taxes above the property tax cap (1% for residential property) for the purpose of allowing a community to support its schools through additional revenue or to help replenish monies lost from recent state funding cuts.
Why are we in this position?At the end of 2009, school revenue was cut by 4.5% for 2010. In response, Avon Community School Corporation, through implementation of cost containment strategies and creating new revenue sources reduced our deficit by approximately $3 million dollarsACSC ended 2010 with a budget deficit based upon the adopted 2010 budget even after these reductionsThe 2011 budget has an additional reduction of $1.36 million planned over and above the 2010 budgetThe total 2 year budget reductions total $4.36 million of recurring costs
Why are we in this position? con’t2011 revenue is projected to be less than our approved 2011 budget including the already implemented cuts in expendituresOur current (2011) budget, as with all Indiana school corporations, is being supported by federal stimulus money as distributed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This revenue equals $458,000 annually for ACSC and will end in 2012.The full implementation of the property Tax Caps (now will become part of the Indiana Constitution) will permanently impact local school district revenue - for ACSC the estimate is a loss of $3.2 million for 2011 as a result of these Tax Caps (est. $4.0 loss for 2012)
In the last few years, ACSC has been financially conservative and through good planning, has been able to under spend annual budgets to establish a solid financial foundation. While this work has been great for our taxpayers and has allowed us to be in the fortunate position we are in, we will not be able to sustain the current budget in the near futureWith consideration of all of these factors, Avon Community School Corporation cannot sustain the “Avon Standard” for teaching and learning in our classrooms beginning in 2012
Student achievement is improving all over the districtFacility needs have been met for the foreseeable futureEnrollment growth has returned to “normal” levelsACSC has become one of the most highly desired districts in the Midwest
Nearly 80% indicated a high level of satisfaction with our schools87% said Avon Schools are the primary reason people move to our community88% said Avon School contribute to property values in our community99% believe it is important for Avon Schools to remain competitive
“8-20% of a home’s value can be tied to the reputation of the school system” (The Journal of Real Estate Research – 2009)
Larger class sizes at all levelsReduction of extra-curricular programsReduced service to familiesLonger bus routesIncreased usage fees for parents
Avon Community Schools is asking you to approve an Operating Fund Referendum on May 3 ACSC needs $0.1705 on the property tax rate to raise $3.4 million annually in additional revenueThese funds will be used to preserve the “Avon Standard For Teaching and Learning”
Register to vote if you have notSupport us May 3 with your vote in support of the Avon Community and the Avon School Referendum question!Let’s preserve the “Avon Standard for Teaching and Learning”
