With the Gary Community School Corp.’s future as a going concern hanging in the balance, “No” was leading by a razor slim 50-49 percent margin late Tuesday in a general fund referendum question.
The district is currently carrying a $75 million debt load and without the referendum, the district’s finances will get progressively worse. Prior to the vote, school board member Nellie Moore and Superintendent Cheryl Pruitt said the state would eventually take action to dissolve the school corporation.
Outgoing school board member Antuwan Clemons said the close margin is sending the Indiana General Assembly a strong message that the community supports the district.
The referendum would increase the property tax rate by 47.5 cents for every $100 of assessed value, and with a 75 percent collection rate, the referendum could yield as much as $8.7 million annually, officials said. At a September meeting, members of the Indiana Distressed Unit Appeals Board and Jack Martin, the district’s financial manager, stressed the importance of passing the referendum in stabilizing the district’s financial future.
Gary
Robert L. Buggs, Sr. is leading in the at-large race; Carlos Tolliver is ahead in District 1; James M. Piggee is leading in District 2, and Willie L. (Coach) Miller is leading in District 4.
Crown Point
Scott Babjak is leading in the race for the District 2 seat.
East Chicago
For the two at-large spots, Vanessa (Coach V) Hernandez-Orange and Dwayne (Tuss) Rancifer Jr. are leading. In District 1, Joel Rodriguez is leading. In District 2, Stacy Dixon-Winfield is ahead, and Drake Morris is leading in District 3.
Portage
Wilma Vazquez is leading in the at-large race, while incumbent Jessica Bailey is ahead in the District 3 race.
Griffith
Karl M. Grimmer Sr. and Gary Sutton were leading in the race for two at-large spots.
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Hammond
Marilyn J. Jones and Anna Mamala were leading in the race for the two at-large spots.
Hanover
Mary Joan Dickson was leading for the at-large spot.
Highland
Carol Green-Fraley and Patrick Krull are leading in the race for two-at-large spots on the board.
Lake Central
Janice Malchow is leading in the race for the at-large spot, while Cindy Sues is ahead in the race for the St. John spot.
Lake Station
John Bastin and Larry Biggs were leading in the race for two at-large spots.
Merrillville
Judy C. Dunlap is leading in the race for the District 1 spot on the Merrillville Community School Corp. board.
Munster
John J. Doherty, George Shinkan and Ingrid J. Schwarz Wolf were leading in the race for three at-large spots on the board.
Whiting
Nicole L. Davenport, Amanda E. Perkins, and Christine Stribiak were leading in the race for three at-large school board slots.
East Porter County School Board
Steven D. Lesko is leading in the race for Morgan Township post, while Karen Higbie is ahead in the race for the Pleasant Township seat.