State funding for public education and upcoming referendum
May 03, 2021 12:00 PM
Dr. Steve Thalheimer, Superintendent, Elk.Comm.Sch
State funding for public education and upcoming referendum

Elkhart Community Schools Superintendent Steve Thalheimer discusses state funding for public education and upcoming referendum

What is a referendum?
A referendum is a type of election that doesn’t elect people, but rather asks voters to vote “yes” or “no” on questions of policy and/or projects. This referendum question is facing the registered voters living in the Elkhart Community Schools district. Your YES vote will assist the district in reaching its full potential.

When is the vote on the referendum?
Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 is the opportunity to vote Stronger for Elkhart. Residents in the Elkhart Community School District are eligible to vote for the referendum.

What exactly is the 2021 referendum going to support? How will my tax dollars be used?
This referendum will focus on three key areas:

  1. Increase pay for all employees to ensure competitiveness with neighboring districts, help recruit and retain exceptional employees to provide the educational excellence our community demands and compensation required in a competitive market. A highly qualified and consistent staff creates better outcomes for students and creates a stable, safe and comfortable learning environment. $7,350,000 investment.
  2. Reduce out-of-pocket health insurance costs for ECS employees. Skyrocketing health insurance costs in our country requires the need for ECS to modernize their benefits package to ease the undue burden on employees. All employees (administrators included) will share the same cost of the employee health plan and receive the same benefits. $3,000,000 investment.
  3. Continue to provide safe transportation for our students at current levels. The transportation funding passed in the 2014 Referendum expires this year, so a significant portion of this referendum will be used to keep transportation practices at status quo. $4,900,000 investment.

To learn more about the referendum from the Elkhart Community Schools visit their website at: https://elkhart.k12.in.us/stronger-elkhart-referendum-2021/

This will be a HYBRID MEETING - - you can attend IN-PERSON OR VIRTUALLY on Zoom at noon:

To join Zoom Meeting, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87158464963?pwd=RXY1OEowMzd6VUhJUjdRdGJLWEpJdz09 
Meeting ID: 871 5846 4963
Passcode: 46514

Whether we see you in-person at Matterhorn or see your chat broadcast on the screen, hope to see you there!  

Don't miss it!