The Tri-Creek School Board voted Thursday to eliminate K-8 sports and clubs next year and bus transportation in 2028 to offset the loss of $ 3 million in annual revenue because of state property tax cuts.
The programs could be saved if voters approve a Nov. 3 eight-year referendum allowing a property tax increase. For taxpayers with a $300,000 home, the increase would be about $245 per year, officials said.
The cuts would likely amount to about $2.3 million in transportation costs, about $500,000 in extracurricular programs and a reduction in classroom instruction aides.
Voters rejected Tri-Creek’s bid for an operating referendum in 2023. That defeat resulted in a 10% workforce cut or 30 layoffs, Superintendent Andy Anderson told the school board.
He said the district can’t afford to lay off more teachers.
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“We can’t cut any more teachers; who’s going to teach the kids?” he said.
School board members solemnly listened to Anderson as he detailed the depth of the proposed cuts in the resolutions and their impacts.
The resolution blamed the 2024 property tax law, championed by Republicans to rein in property taxes. It also heavily impacted municipalities. It reads:
Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the Tri-Creek School Corporation (the “Board”) will have a need to end all school-sponsored/paid sports and clubs for grades K-8 due to its inability to fund these student programs with a strong probability to be extended to the high school level at a time not yet determined in order to help close the deficit gap as a result of Senate Enrolled Act 1.
The resolution would become effective Aug. 1, 2027. It would likely be rescinded if the referendum is approved.
The elimination of busing would take effect Aug. 1, 2028.
Anderson said state law required a minimum notice on the elimination of busing to the Indiana Department of Education.
Kate Holley, a Democrat running in the District 6 state senate race Nov. 3, supports the referendum. She’s a real estate agent who lives in DeMotte and is opposed by Republican James Starkey, also of DeMotte.
“The services are very important to our school system, especially the bus service,” she said.
Lake Station students lost their bus service for about three months in 2023 after a referendum failed in 2022 by 14 votes. Voters supported the second-try referendum in 2023, and bus service was restored in November.
Five other Northwest Indiana school districts are also holding referendums on Nov. 3 because of the property tax cuts. They include Crown Point, River Forest, Whiting, Duneland, East Porter and Porter Township.
“It’s not a scare tactic or what you hear on Facebook,” Anderson said. “We owe it to our community to let them hear the straight truth… This referendum isn’t asking anything above our status quo.”
Busing in Tri-Creek, which spans 179 square miles, is crucial, said Anderson.
Tri-Creek has about 3,300 students and three elementaries, an intermediate school and a middle/high school.
The district is planning three community meetings to answer questions from taxpayers. They will all take place in the district’s administrative office, 2055 E. Commercial Ave., Lowell. Visitors should park on the south side of Lowell High School, where the office is located.
The dates are 6 p.m., Tuesday; 9:30 a.m., Aug. 19; and 7 p.m. on Aug. 26.
Information about the referendum is also available at www.tricreek.k12.in.us/about/financial-info.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.