When I wrote the story about the Hamilton Southeastern School Board work session held Wednesday night, I tried to cite the referendum tax rate.  What I found was a bit of complexity that merits some explanation.

When HSE Schools held its first operating referendum in 2009, it was approved and added 10 cents per $100 of valuation to the the local property tax rate.  When the school board decided to ask voters again for an operating referendum in 2016, the board added 12.75 cents to the tax rate in its ask to voters. That referendum was overwhelmingly approved with more than 70% of the vote.  That increased the HSE operating referendum rate to a total of 22.75 cents, where it stands today.

The current operating referendum expires soon, so the HSE Board of School Trustees will determine the rate to be requested.  As reported previously, HSE board members will be deciding whether to place the referendum on the ballot in the May primary or November general election in 2023.

The board could simply ask voters to keep the referendum tax rate where it is, increase the rate or lower the rate.

As to why HSE requires an operating referendum, the state now provides most of the cash funding teachers and other staff.  According to HSE CFO Katy Dowling, HSE receives the 4th lowest per-student support from the state with money for the education fund, providing money for teachers.  Also down on that list with us are other suburban school districts, such as Carmel & Zionsville.