School leaders in Crown Point and Hobart are optimistic that voters will back their operating referendum extensions as they head to the polls Tuesday.
This is an off-year for primary and general elections, so voters in the two communities are the only residents casting ballots in these special elections paid for by each school district.
It will be the last time such off-year votes are cast. Recent state legislation calls for school referendum votes to take place only during the general election cycle in November.
School chiefs in both cities have stressed a “yes” vote for the referendum won’t trigger a tax increase, despite what they described as misleading wording on the ballot.
In Crown Point, spokeswoman Brooke Allen said the state limits how much school tax levies can increase, but growth in the city’s assessed property valuations grew more than the levy limit allowed so its rate decreased.
The 2025 referendum tax rate is 18.25 cents per $100 assessed valuation, a 3-cent decline from 2018 when 70% of voters approved the referendum at 21 cents.
In Hobart, Superintendent Peggy Buffington has blanketed the city, holding eight speaking appearances stressing the referendum extension won’t raise taxes and would remain the same at 24.6 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
“I see lots of support for it. People are asking for signs and letting others know the importance of supporting it. This is encouraging to us,” she said.
Hobart’s referendum, if approved, would raise about $21.6 million over eight years and Crown Point’s would raise $67.2 million over the same period.
Early voting began April 8 in each city and ends at noon Monday.
A Lake County elections officials said as of Thursday, 772 ballots were cast in Crown Point and 354 in Hobart.
On Tuesday, the polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lake County election officials said the vote counts shouldn’t take long.
Both districts have sent postcards to residents urging “yes” votes.
Crown Point Community School Corporation Superintendent Todd Terrill, pictured Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune)
“The volunteers have been non-stop at the high school,” said Crown Point Superintendent Todd Terrill at a recent school board meeting.
He said teachers campaigned for the referendum after their teaching hours and monetary donations were coming in steadily.
“We’ll celebrate next Tuesday after we win,” he said. “It’s stressful, it’s hard work but it’s encouraging to see how the community supports us, as well.”
In Hobart, Buffington said state tax caps endangered the district’s ability to operate its bus fleet and pay its utility bills. The referendum keeps those operations and school safety measures intact, she said earlier at a forum with senior citizens.
She said Hobart, which is heavily residential, lost 81% of its levy to the tax caps which limit homeowners’ tax bills to a 1% percent increase. When tax bills exceed the cap, a circuit breaker credit kicks in representing savings to the homeowner, but a revenue loss to a school district.
In Crown Point, which isn’t as landlocked as Hobart, officials say the referendum’s approval will ensure the district’s ability to hire and retain teachers with a competitive salary.
Crown Point would also use the funding for academic programs, safety initiatives and to manage class sizes, despite a growing enrollment.
Early voting ends at noon Monday at three sites: the Lake County election board office in Crown Point; the Hobart Police-senior center, 705 E. 4th St; and the Winfield Government Center, 10645 Randolph St. Polls open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at precincts in each city.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
