The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board approved a resolution Wednesday night providing “preliminary support” for placing a renewal of the operating referendum that expires December 31, 2023, on the November election ballot. The board gave its initial indication it favors keeping the referendum property tax rate at .2275.
The final vote providing the rate and specific language to be contained on the ballot initiative will likely happen in June. The state must approve the ballot language, giving the board extra time to re-write the ballot language if ordered by state officials. The deadline is August 1.
The operating referendum generates roughly $26 million per year for HSE Schools.
Six of the seven board members voted yes on the resolution. Tiffany Pascoe chose to abstain.
If you care about your property values you will support this referendum. HSE will lose ~$25 million per year without approving the referendum and the board has acknowledged they see no path to making up that money through efficiencies. It will result in a loss of teachers, loss of elective programs, more kids in classrooms and more overcrowding. The amount property owners will pay in taxes for the referendum will pale in comparison to the amount they will lose in property values.