Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. officials are recommending that the district move forward with plans for roughly $300 million in facilities projects but scrap the idea of pursuing a referendum to help fund the work.
Administration leaders presented this idea to school board members at a special meeting on Monday, with board members voting to approve publication of a notice for preliminary determination hearings in November and December. The latter meeting is expected to be the point at which the board makes a decision about which funding option to pursue and how high the maximum bond amount should be, BCSC officials said.
In late July, BCSC officials announced that they were working on a proposal for a capital referendum to potentially fund a number of facilities projects. The complete list of projects that might be funded through this method came out to an estimated total of $306 million, including:
- A new westside elementary school.
- Renovations to remaining elementary schools (excluding Parkside and Schmitt, where work is already underway).
- Significant renovation at Northside Middle School and tech/equipment updates at Central Middle School.
- Additions and renovations to both Columbus North and East high schools to meet career and tech education demands.
- Physical education/extracurricular expansions at the two high schools to meet demands.
- Relocation of Bright Beginnings Early Learning Center to the R.L. Johnson Building, relocation of Columbus Virtual Pathway to the McDowell Education Center and relocation of C4 Cosmetology to expanded space at East.
Assistant Superintendent Chad Phillips said that while the school corporation did not plan to raise the tax rate, individuals who are at tax caps would see an increase on their bills if a referendum passed.
Since announcing this possibility in late July, BCSC officials have held 20 community group meetings, three staff input sessions, five public input sessions and seven internal stakeholder group meetings. Over 400 people were reached during the process, school officials said.
Throughout the sessions, officials found that there was “broad support” for all projects. However, members of the public would prefer that BCSC choose the “least disruptive financing option” so that no residents see an increase in their taxes.
Community members were also concerned that if BCSC pursued a capital referendum, it might affect the school corporation’s chances of successfully seeking renewal for the operating referendum that was passed in 2020.
The operating referendum helps fund raises for teachers and support staff, STEM lab teacher salaries and benefits, and expenses related to safety, security and mental health. Phillips said that the community would likely vote on its renewal in 2028 at the latest.
After hearing the public’s input, BCSC administration officials are now recommending that the board pass a resolution to issue bonds for all proposed projects but not pursue a capital referendum.
Read the full story in Wednesday’s edition of The Republic.
