BCSC to ask voters to renew pay and safety referendum

The Bartholomew Consolidated School Board has approved adding a teacher and staff pay and school safety referendum question to the November ballot.

School officials announced yesterday that the board voted unanimously to add the question, which would renew a referendum originally passed in 2020. If approved by voters, the renewal would extend the tax rate increase for eight more years, lasting through 2034.

The referendum would continue a tax rate of 15.6 cents per $100 of assessed value, generating an annual levy of $9.5 million in revenue.

BCSC Superintendent Chad Phillips said that the district has seen “dramatic improvements in recruiting and retaining terrific teachers and staff” along with improved student outcomes in graduation and literacy rates, as well as eight additional additional school safety officers.

You can find more information on the referendum at bcscschools.org/referendum.