The Referendum
The question on the ballot on May 6th is complicated. Breaking it down by line by line and providing an explanation is helpful for our whole community. At the very end use the State's calculator to understand all the details.
​
Disclaimer: We are not experts. Legal experts have reviewed this information and deemed it accurate.
This is meant for educational purposes and only to inform our community.
The Referendum Question
The question on the ballot must follow specific language and be approved by the State of Indiana.
The Actual Question on the ballot is below:
​​"Shall Southwest Parke Community School Corporation increase property taxes paid to the School Corporation by homeowners and businesses? If this public question is approved by the voters, the average property tax paid to the School Corporation per year on a residence would increase by 14.20% and the average property tax paid to the School Corporation on a business property would increase by 14.20%. The political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into a lease to finance the construction of all or a portion of the construction and equipping of an auxiliary gym at Riverton Parke Junior/Senior High School together with other related improvements, upgrades, equipping, and renovations in connection therewith, which is estimated to cost $10,000,000 over 22 years. The School Corporation has not previously proposed a property tax referendum.”
Explaining the Referendum Question
Let's break down the question line by line and explain it.
Ballot Question:"Shall Southwest Parke Community School Corporation increase property taxes paid to the School Corporation by homeowners and businesses?"
What this really means:
The school is asking voters if they can continue part of an existing tax to help pay for a new auxiliary gym (Multipurpose Facility) and other improvements. This isn’t an entirely new tax—it replaces an old one that is ending.
Ballot Question: "If this public question is approved by the voters, the average property tax paid to the School Corporation per year on a residence would increase by 14.20% and the average property tax paid to the School Corporation on a business property would increase by 14.20%."
What this really means:
This 14.2% increase only applies to the school’s portion of your property taxes—not your total tax bill. Right now, the school has bonds (or loans) they’ve been paying off. When this referendum begins the school will have paid this debt off. Since those payments are ending, the school wants to use part of what was already being collected to pay for the new auxiliary gym instead. So the 14.2% "increase" is really continuing funding needed improvements and projects. The net impact to the tax rate is effectively 0%.
Think of it like this: If you’re about to finish paying off a car loan and decide to buy a new car, you’d still have a car payment, but it wouldn’t feel like a big extra expense because you were already used to paying for it.
Ballot Question: "The political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into a lease to finance the construction of all or a portion of the construction and equipping of an auxiliary gym at Riverton Parke Junior/Senior High School together with other related improvements, upgrades, equipping, and renovations in connection therewith, which is estimated to cost $10,000,000 over 22 years."
What this really means:
The school plans to issue a bond (just like a mortgage or car loan for personal finances) up to $10 million and pay it back over 22 years. This money will be used to build a new multipurpose facility/auxiliary gym and make other needed improvements.
​
Ballot Question: "The School Corporation has not previously proposed a property tax referendum."
What this really means:
This is the first time the school has asked voters to approve a tax referendum like this.
​
*Very Important Note*
If the referendum does not pass, your tax rate might not go down. That doesn’t mean another local taxing district (like the county or township) won’t raise their rate to take advantage of the available space in the tax structure. This means you could still end up paying the same amount in taxes, just to a different entity, without getting the benefits of a new auxiliary gym and school improvements for our students and community.
