Indianapolis Voters to Decide on $95 Million Property Tax for Schools

Indianapolis residents are set to vote on a $95 million property tax referendum on November 3. If approved, the measure would provide funding to both the Indianapolis Public Schools district and local charter schools, marking the first time such a tax has been divided between the two systems.

The proposed tax would increase the average homeowner's annual payment by $106. The revenue is intended to help the district avoid significant budget cuts and school closures, while providing roughly $48.6 million to charter schools.

The financial strain has jeopardized the Innovation Network, a partnership where the district has provided busing, technology, and building maintenance to 30 charter schools. District leadership indicated that as financial resources tighten, they may need to charge charter schools the full cost of these services, a move that has faced criticism from charter advocacy groups.

The referendum follows a shift in oversight, as the state recently transferred authority over school taxes and buildings to the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation. While the district and the new board support the tax, some opponents argue the proposal favors charter schools at the expense of traditional public education.