Lake Station school officials say school bus service could be in peril in 2025 if voters reject a $1.3 million operating referendum on Nov. 7.
Superintendent Thomas Cripliver said despite the wording in the referendum’s question on the ballot, it doesn’t represent a new tax or an increase.
“The school portion won’t increase at all, we’re asking for the same thing,” said Cripliver.
The referendum is an extension of a 2017 successful referendum that increased property taxes by 54 cents per $100 of assessed value. It raised about $1.3 million annually over a seven-year span. The Nov. 7 referendum asks voters to extend the same 54-cent amount over an eight-year period, raising about $1.3 million annually.
In 2021, the General Assembly approved a change in ballot language on referendum questions that school leaders like Cripliver say exaggerates the tax amount by stating the percentage of tax increase from the base, not from what they’re currently paying.
“Obviously, it’s a scare tactic for my community because who wants to raise their property taxes 46%?” said Cripliver in describing the referendum’s wording.
He said in reality, the majority of property owners will be continuing to make a $15 per month investment in the school district through the referendum.
The Lake Station School Board approved the referendum question on May 8 with two members, Larry Biggs and Karen Curtis, abstaining. They said they needed more information.
The referendum has the backing of Mayor Bill Carroll, who co-signed a newsletter sent to residents by the school district. It tells voters the school district is the largest employer in the city with about 270 employees.
Because of its low assessed valuation, Lake Station and some other Lake County districts are losing uncollected tax money because of a property tax circuit breaker that caps residential and business taxes.
Lake Station has lost $5 million since 2019 because it’s at the max of its tax rate.
The referendum on the ballot also specifies a spending plan that includes funding for transportation, teachers, elementary counselors, school safety measures and technology.
Cripliver said if the referendum fails, school bus service could end in February 2025. The district could also lay off as many as 20 teachers as well as elementary school counselors.
“Right now, transportation is the biggest thing in jeopardy,” said Cripliver. He said referendum funding pays for bus maintenance, fuel, drivers, field trips and trips to athletic contests as well as school transportation.
Cripliver plans to hold a public forum for voters at 6 p.m. on Nov. 2 at Edison Jr.-Sr. High School, 3304 Parkside Ave.
“We’ll have an hour presentation with questions and answers and talk about how the referendum is interpreted in hopes of getting people to better understand it,” he said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
