1 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: So there's a lot of talk about property taxes in 2 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: the state of Indiana. There's a lot of talk about 3 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:16,760 Speaker 1: school corporations and how it affects them and what they're 4 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:19,439 Speaker 1: doing because of Senate Bill one. Let's get to the 5 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:21,960 Speaker 1: bottom of how one school corporation is handling. It's Kenill 6 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 1: and Casey Show. 7 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 2: I'm Rob Casey's here, and we've talked on our program 8 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 2: quite a bit about school districts who are going to 9 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,559 Speaker 2: the referendum process or going back to the referendum process 10 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:36,240 Speaker 2: because of Senate Bill one. One of those school districts 11 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 2: is Avon here in central Indiana. And here to tell 12 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 2: us why walking into the lions den. Let's give him 13 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 2: a lot of credit. Kim Woodward. She is the president 14 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 2: of the Avon School Board. Kim Hello, hello. And Scott Wyndham, 15 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,880 Speaker 2: he is the superintendent of Avon School Scott Hello, Hello. 16 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:53,520 Speaker 2: All right, So Scott, I guess I'll start with you 17 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 2: with this how much stuff is the government entitled to 18 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:02,520 Speaker 2: of other people? Because it seems like we pay a 19 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 2: lot in property taxes and then we see school districts 20 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 2: like you're saying. 21 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 3: Oh, we need a little bit more. Where do we 22 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 3: draw the line. 23 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:11,400 Speaker 4: Sure, and the one thing, first off, I appreciate you 24 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:15,000 Speaker 4: having us on Rob And the one thing I would say, 25 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:17,959 Speaker 4: just to clarify kind of your introduction. For us, this 26 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 4: is a renewal of a referendum that's been in place 27 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 4: in our community since twenty eighteen, and so for us, 28 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:25,040 Speaker 4: this really doesn't have as much to do about Senate 29 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:28,640 Speaker 4: and rolled back to one's that's really a different issue 30 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:31,679 Speaker 4: for us. Our community voted to support a referendum in 31 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:35,559 Speaker 4: twenty eighteen, and now state law says in eight years 32 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:36,959 Speaker 4: you have to go back and ask the voters if 33 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 4: they continue to support that. And so that's the process 34 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 4: that we're going through now. 35 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:42,600 Speaker 2: Okay, So I want to do some publics I'm a 36 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 2: public school guy, so I'm doing some public school math. 37 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:49,320 Speaker 2: Eight years would tell me that's twenty six. It's twenty five. 38 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 2: Why are we doing a referendum in twenty five when 39 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 2: you could wait until twenty six. 40 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 4: We had a lot of conversations about that this summer 41 00:01:57,240 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 4: when and that really happened in the last legislative sessions. 42 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 4: So sent our referendum past in May of twenty eighteen. 43 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 3: YEP. 44 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 4: So for the last seven years we have been planning 45 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 4: for May of twenty twenty six. And the reason school 46 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 4: districts often did a May referendum is because that coincides 47 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 4: with when we do hiring and when state law says, 48 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 4: if we have to reduce teachers, it has to happen 49 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 4: between May one and July one. 50 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 3: So okay, let let me start you right there. 51 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:25,359 Speaker 2: So those of us that say, well, it's convenient they're 52 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 2: in May because that's when fewer people vote, y'all can 53 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 2: get more people to go to the polls. 54 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:33,040 Speaker 3: That's just a big coincidence. I'm wrong on that. 55 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,600 Speaker 4: Well, I would say that the reason we chose May, 56 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 4: and the reason other school districts often chose May, was 57 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 4: more about our hiring process and the state timeline of 58 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:46,400 Speaker 4: when teacher reductions have to happen. So avon try to 59 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 4: referendum in twenty eleven that failed. That summer we laid 60 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 4: off over sixty teachers. In May of twenty eighteen, our 61 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 4: community supporter to referendum, and that summer we immediately hired 62 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 4: over eighty teachers back. And so for schools, our high 63 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 4: hiring cycle is May and June. Our hiring cycle is 64 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:05,560 Speaker 4: not November. And so that's really why you see so 65 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:07,679 Speaker 4: many school districts that in the past have done may 66 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:10,880 Speaker 4: the legislature changed that on us in this last session 67 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 4: and then the school board really had to wrestle this 68 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 4: summer with November twenty twenty five November twenty six. Those 69 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 4: are the only two options that the school that the 70 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 4: school districts were left with with changing in the legislation. 71 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:24,679 Speaker 2: Scott Wyndham, Superintendent of Avon Schools, are a guest. Also 72 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 2: Kim Woodwards, she's the president of the Avon School Board. Okay, 73 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:31,200 Speaker 2: So so people who are saying, well, you guys are 74 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 2: expediting this a year because next year you would have 75 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 2: to go to a general election, you're saying that doesn't 76 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 2: have anything to do with Hey, more people will show 77 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 2: up to vote. It's easier for us to get our people. 78 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 2: They're going to know when the referendum is. You're saying 79 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:47,160 Speaker 2: it's all just related to the hiring of teachers. I'd 80 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 2: have to say that really this is more about the 81 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 2: timing than anything else. So the way that the Scott 82 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 2: is alluded to when we figure out our fiscal budget 83 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:01,280 Speaker 2: that's on a school year basis, not on calendar year basis. 84 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 2: And there are two kinds of referendums. There's an operating 85 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 2: referendum and a capital referendum. It might make sense that 86 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 2: a capital. 87 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 5: Referendum, which has to do with buildings and schools, would 88 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:17,120 Speaker 5: take place outside that fiscal year norm. But for us, 89 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 5: this is all about decreased classroom sizes which require teachers. 90 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:25,560 Speaker 5: It's about teacher pay remaining competitive, and it's about extra 91 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:31,120 Speaker 5: activities and things for students to participate in. So it 92 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:33,839 Speaker 5: makes much more sense that we would expedite it early. 93 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:36,720 Speaker 5: Let's play out the calendar. If we had waited until 94 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 5: the expiration of our current referendum, then if it had failed, 95 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:43,640 Speaker 5: we would then at that point have to take action 96 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,479 Speaker 5: to not dip into our funds in order to pay 97 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:49,880 Speaker 5: those teachers for the remainder of the year, only to 98 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:52,279 Speaker 5: see them being laid off at the end of the year. 99 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:53,640 Speaker 2: All right, So there's a lot of people who are 100 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 2: upset about the process of this. In Avon, there was 101 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 2: a video that came out. It was I believe you 102 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:01,479 Speaker 2: were speaking into the care Some people sent this to 103 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 2: me and it was you talking about the plan to 104 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 2: go forward with the referendum. Before the referendum it had 105 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 2: been voted on and so I said, well, let me. 106 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 2: We always try to double and triple source, and I 107 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 2: couldn't find the video and it was set to some 108 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:15,359 Speaker 2: sort of private thing, and then it came out that 109 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:18,919 Speaker 2: it was only given to parents. It came out on 110 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 2: an app for parents. There was an allegation to that. 111 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:23,480 Speaker 2: Would you guys like to address that because I think 112 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,279 Speaker 2: that has Scott, would you like to address that because 113 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:26,599 Speaker 2: I think that has rubbed a lot of people. 114 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 3: The wrong way. They feel like only. 115 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 2: The in people or people who might agreed with you 116 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:33,599 Speaker 2: got to know that you guys were planning this referendum. 117 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 4: Yeah, so no, I appreciate you asking that question. We 118 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 4: followed our typical process of kind of the chain of communication. 119 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 4: So when our board voted to move forward with the referendum, 120 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 4: our first communication was to our staff because they are 121 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:49,280 Speaker 4: the most directly impacted in their employees. There. 122 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 2: No, I think there was a video that came out 123 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 2: before the vote though, where there was going to be 124 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 2: a meeting and you guys were going to talk about it. 125 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 2: It was on a YouTube link that was private, and 126 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 2: we got that sent to us, but the public wouldn't 127 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 2: have been able to find. 128 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 4: That everything when we promoted anything about our community meetings 129 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:07,360 Speaker 4: that happened in the summer, and really in those community 130 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:10,279 Speaker 4: meetings we were talking about the timeline issues. We put 131 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:13,920 Speaker 4: all of those on our social media pages. We communicated 132 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 4: via parent Square. Then once the board passed a resolution 133 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:19,720 Speaker 4: that we were moving forward with a referendum, we communicated 134 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 4: directly to our parents and staff first via parent Square, 135 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:24,560 Speaker 4: which I think is what you're talking about, and then 136 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 4: the next day put everything out on Facebook on our website, 137 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 4: and since that time, we've done fifty or sixty community meetings, 138 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 4: going everywhere in the community to talk about this. Our 139 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:37,599 Speaker 4: website is full of information. We keep posting information on 140 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 4: social media, so we are as transparent as we can 141 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 4: possibly be to make sure that our community is informed 142 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:45,359 Speaker 4: and engaged in this process. 143 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 5: Just to clarify ron that action was taken in a 144 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 5: public meeting. 145 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 2: Sure, I now, but there was a video that came 146 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 2: out that was private on YouTube before you guys voted 147 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 2: to go forward with the referendum. 148 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,359 Speaker 3: For employees and parents, right right. And then the next day. 149 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 2: You understand why that would rub people the wrong way. 150 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:04,479 Speaker 2: They're going to hear about it on the radio for me, 151 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:07,480 Speaker 2: instead of hearing it from you guys in the public, right, Yeah, 152 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 2: And you guys aren't mad that I shared that, right, 153 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 2: I mean it was it was available on the school's 154 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 2: YouTube account, right, that's right. 155 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 3: Okay. Scott Wyndham is our guest, the superintendent of Avon Schools. 156 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:17,600 Speaker 3: Do you want to hop in here? Yeah? 157 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 2: I just have one. 158 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 6: Question, Okay. One of the things that you mentioned is 159 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 6: if the referendum fails, well, one of the things that 160 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 6: you wanted to get actually if it passes, is some 161 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 6: school resource officers. So my question is, if it fails, 162 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 6: are you implying that the students are not going to 163 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 6: have safety protocols in place? 164 00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 4: So the key for our referendum is that what we're 165 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 4: asking our voters to do is maintain the services that 166 00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 4: we have had an Avon for the last seven years. 167 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 4: This is a renewal referendum. So we have had our 168 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:53,240 Speaker 4: focus on class sizes, our focus on additional supports and 169 00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 4: opportunities for kids, instructional assistants, school additional school resource officers, 170 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 4: additional supports that we wrap around our students, counsel or 171 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 4: social workers. If it fails, then ultimately we're going to 172 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 4: have to look at what are the services that have 173 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 4: to maintain and the services that we're able to continue 174 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 4: with significantly less revenue because we don't have thatend those 175 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 4: referendum dollars coming in. 176 00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 6: I guess Scott, one of the questions is you just 177 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 6: said additional sources, so that would be growth, not maintaining. 178 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 3: No for the renewal. 179 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 4: What we're saying is if we want to maintain our 180 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 4: great class sizes and the additional supports we have in 181 00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 4: place right now, we have to have the funds that 182 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 4: we've had for the last seven years to be able 183 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:37,959 Speaker 4: to continue to do. 184 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:42,960 Speaker 5: Our growth pattern in Avon has been exponential. I moved 185 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 5: to Avon in nineteen ninety nine. There were thirty four 186 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:47,959 Speaker 5: hundred kids in the entire school district. 187 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 3: Read to blame for all the traffic. 188 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 5: I am one hundred percent That was me And now 189 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:55,319 Speaker 5: what we have ten thousand, seven hundred students in our 190 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 5: school district. 191 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 3: So I think what Scott is. 192 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 5: Saying is maintaining our current state under this referendum renewal 193 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 5: is important to us, but we will only grow as 194 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 5: our population grows, As our student population grows. We feel 195 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 5: very well equipped right now with certainly our teachers, but 196 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 5: our officers as well, and that would only change if 197 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:20,160 Speaker 5: our growth pattern continues. 198 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 4: And I think the thing that we will prioritize all 199 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 4: the time is students safe above everything else. So whether 200 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 4: a referendum is successful or loses, that's always going to 201 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:32,559 Speaker 4: be our top priority. But ultimately we have to make priorities. 202 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:34,360 Speaker 4: So if we want to if a referendum fails and 203 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:37,240 Speaker 4: we want to maintain school resource officers, then other things 204 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:38,800 Speaker 4: are going to have to get cut if that funding 205 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 4: goes away. 206 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 2: Okay, and now I'm sure you guys know that's one 207 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 2: of the things that sank the Brownsburg referendum several years ago, 208 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 2: is when the superintendent tried to imply kids we're going 209 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:47,320 Speaker 2: to be in danger if they didn't pass the referendum. 210 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 3: So you guys have clearly learned from that. Very well done. 211 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 3: All right, Okay, let's take a quick break. 212 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 2: When we come back, we'll continue this conversation about school 213 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 2: referendums in the state of Indiana, and property taxes in 214 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:59,160 Speaker 2: the state of Indiana, and public education policy in the 215 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:02,600 Speaker 2: state of Indiana. Kim Woodward, president of the Avon School Board, 216 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 2: and Scott Wyndham, the superintendent of Avon Schools, our guests 217 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:07,719 Speaker 2: Kennell Casey Show ninety three WIBC. 218 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 3: Six ninety three WIBC. It is the Kendall and Casey Show. 219 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 3: I'm Rob Casey's or Casey. 220 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 2: We're having this incredibly interesting conversation with Scott Wyndham, who's 221 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 2: the superintendent of schools in Avon, Kim Woodward, who is 222 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:29,520 Speaker 2: the Avon School Board President. 223 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 6: Yes, I'd like to take a moment to compliment you 224 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 6: because you're doing an excellent job with this. But let's 225 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 6: continue on. 226 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:42,760 Speaker 2: I'm gonna clip that and save that forever. Philosophically, people 227 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 2: are saying, look, my property taxes have doubled, they've tripled. 228 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 2: I've paid a lot. Where did all that money go? 229 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 2: And how would the school have existed if the property 230 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 2: taxes hadn't gone up? If you guys are saying you 231 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 2: don't have enough money, like, do you understand why people 232 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 2: are like, I've paid all this extra money that I 233 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 2: wasn't paying four or five years ago, and I'm paying 234 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 2: a referendum on top of that. Where does all that 235 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:08,080 Speaker 2: money go? 236 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 6: Well? 237 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 4: And one of the things we've said in all of 238 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,080 Speaker 4: the community meetings that we've had in Amon is we 239 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:17,680 Speaker 4: will sit down and go over our financial information with anyone, 240 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 4: and it is complicated. Our state legislature has made school 241 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 4: finance very complicated with lots of specific buckets that have 242 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 4: to be spent on specific things. So all of our 243 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 4: assessed values have gone up, no doubt, We as a 244 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:34,679 Speaker 4: school district don't have any control over how people's assessed 245 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,800 Speaker 4: values have gone up. But what we do have control 246 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:40,000 Speaker 4: over our tax rates for the school district. And so 247 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 4: what we've been able to do, and with a strong 248 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 4: school board, they've been able to decrease our overall tax rate. 249 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, but you guys jacking it up big time with 250 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 2: that referendum. So I mean it's like you're decreasing. It's 251 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 2: kind of federal government speak there, right, you're decreasing the 252 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 2: increase so. 253 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:56,720 Speaker 4: Well, but I would say if you look, the voters 254 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 4: approved a referendum tax rate of thirty five cents and 255 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:02,360 Speaker 4: twenty eight Sure, we have never collected that full amount, 256 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 4: and we've decreased that amount thirty two percent. 257 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 3: But everything you're collecting is above the above the tax. 258 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:10,199 Speaker 4: Absolutely, and that's why ultimately voters have to go and 259 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:12,959 Speaker 4: decide that they want to do that. And really, schools 260 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 4: are the one entity that the state legislature says you 261 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:18,560 Speaker 4: have to go and specifically ask for a referendum for 262 00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 4: additional funding. And we've been really strategic since twenty eighteen, 263 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 4: and the board has given really clear direction. We are 264 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 4: only going to collect funds that we need to meet 265 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 4: the three priorities of our referendum, and if we don't 266 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 4: need more, we're not going to collect more. And so 267 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:35,200 Speaker 4: we have been able to drop that tax rate thirty 268 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 4: two percent since the voters approved it in twenty eighteen, 269 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:40,680 Speaker 4: and now we're asking for a reduced tax rate from 270 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:42,359 Speaker 4: what they approved in twenty eighteen. 271 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:44,080 Speaker 3: But it is above the cap. Oh, absolutely, no doubt. 272 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:46,920 Speaker 2: It's so like, do you guys view and we'll just 273 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:48,560 Speaker 2: run a little long here, and by full credit for 274 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:51,199 Speaker 2: you guys coming in and nobody's held you hostage. 275 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:53,599 Speaker 3: You're all getting as far as we know, we're doing that. 276 00:12:56,280 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 3: It's not over yet. 277 00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:59,439 Speaker 2: We always have this conversation with people are hesitant to 278 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:00,959 Speaker 2: come in, but you wanted to come in, and I 279 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 2: think that's awesome. So like, where where does this end? 280 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:08,840 Speaker 2: Like are we because the premise of Senate built one is, hey, 281 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 2: property taxes are out of control? And then be able 282 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:14,719 Speaker 2: to come right back and defeed a referendum like does 283 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:15,400 Speaker 2: this ever end? 284 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:17,360 Speaker 3: Or are we just in the continualle. 285 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:20,360 Speaker 5: We wish it would? I mean, I believe that if 286 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:25,439 Speaker 5: the our Indiana legislature would stop inflicting pain by a 287 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:29,679 Speaker 5: thousand strikes every single legislative session, some of this could end. 288 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:31,959 Speaker 3: What does that mean? That means that. 289 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 5: A huge amount of Indiana's budget is being funneled to 290 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,360 Speaker 5: charter and voucher schools, which are not held to the 291 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 5: same accountability standards as public schools. And if that money 292 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 5: could come back to public schools and that that could 293 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 5: be focused on remedying any of the issues that public 294 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 5: schools have, I believe the referendu funding would no longer 295 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:52,560 Speaker 5: be necessary. 296 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 2: So we could start an alliance if we get rid 297 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 2: of the If we get rid of the money of 298 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:59,240 Speaker 2: the charter schools, we'll all agree no referendums and everybody 299 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 2: abides by the cap. Are we cutting the deal right now? 300 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 2: Are we cutting the deal on public? 301 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:04,680 Speaker 5: I mean, if I had the ability to cut that 302 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 5: deal with you, I would right now. But I definitely 303 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:12,600 Speaker 5: believe that referendu funding is really about trying to gain 304 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 5: back what we've lost through some of those activities. Certainly, 305 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:21,080 Speaker 5: send it a rolldack to one has put a lot 306 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:23,600 Speaker 5: of school districts on notice that they will not have 307 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:26,160 Speaker 5: the operating capital that they will need to operate in 308 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 5: the upcoming year. 309 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 3: All right, we're going for an hour. Okay, I don't 310 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 3: think you want any part of that. Guys. Thank you 311 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 3: for coming in. 312 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:37,120 Speaker 2: Like, we don't obviously agree on a lot of things, 313 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 2: but I really appreciate you guys coming in and being 314 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:42,240 Speaker 2: transparent with the community, and I think that's going to 315 00:14:42,280 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 2: actually work out pretty well for you guys. So, Scott Wyndham, 316 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 2: Kim Oodwick, thank you for your time. 317 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 3: Thanks for having me.