Voters in Crown Point and Hobart overwhelmingly approved the renewal of eight-year school property tax referendums Tuesday.
The referendums encountered little controversy in the two communities with 83% of Crown Point voters supporting the eight-year referendum renewal and 81% backing Hobart’s referendum.
Of 57,944 registered voters in Crown Point and Hobart, just 4,705 voters cast ballots or 8%.
Tuesday’s special election in the two cities marked the last time such off-year votes will be cast. Recent state legislation calls for school referendum votes to take place only during the general election cycle in November.
Hobart’s referendum will raise about $21.6 million over the eight-year period and Crown Point’s will raise $67.2 million over the same period.
Hobart’s referendum tax will remain the same at 24.6 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
For Hobart, the passage meant bus transportation could continue for another eight years, adding a layer of certainty to the ever-changing school funding landscape. About 70% of Hobart students ride the bus.
Hobart Superintendent Peggy Buffington said 81% of the school district’s tax levy is absorbed by property 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 a savings to the homeowner, but a revenue loss to a school district.
Buffington credited a platoon of referendum backers who got the word out in the community.
“They made sure that people understood what was at stake with the transportation department, and so I’m truly grateful for it,” Buffington said.
She singled out senior citizens for their continuous support and encouragement.
“It shows that people do care about our school district, and it’s a big part of the community,” she said.
Mayor Josh Huddleston stopped by the Hobart Chamber of Commerce where the school watch party was held and congratulated supporters.
“It’s a sign that our community continues to grow and move in the right direction. People believe in the school district. They believe in our community, and honestly, you’re never on the wrong side of public education,” he said.
In Crown Point, Superintendent Todd Terrill thanked supporters who backed the district.
“This outcome reflects more than just a vote — it reflects the trust our community places in us. We are honored by that trust and remain committed to being responsible stewards of the resources you have approved,” he said in a statement.
The Crown Point referendum tax rate is 18.25 cents per $100 assessed valuation, a 3-cent decline from the 2018 vote when 70% of voters approved the referendum at 21 cents.
Crown Point will use its referendum money to underscore its 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.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
