Commentary by Larry Lannan
In 2011, I attended a Fishers Town Council candidate forum before the May primary to get a feel for local issues. The candidates talked about all the usual local municipal issues, such as taxes and economic development.
What grabbed my attention was the amount of discussion centered on the local schools. Nearly every candidate made it clear she/he would ensure close cooperation and support between the Town of Fishers and the Hamilton Southeastern School Corp.
Why all the talk about schools? After all, these candidates were running for town council seats, not the school board.
Then it dawned on me how much schools are at the center of Fishers and its massive growth for the past 25 years. Talk to any real estate agent and you will know how much the quality of our local school system attracts families with children into a Fishers home.
All of this came to mind as the local debate begins over the next Fishers school referendum. We have had these votes before and they passed easily. This one asks voters to approve a $95-million building project, most of the money going to senior academies at both HSE and Fishers High Schools.
This will be funded by a local property tax increase. How much will your taxes go up? Good question. Getting a specific answer may be difficult. If Albert Einstein were alive today, he would find it hard to fully understand Indiana’s property tax system.
At a recent meeting, school officials indicated homes valued more than $230,000 could see an annual increase of $159 to $282. For these homeowners, that would hike their monthly escrow for property tax from $13.25 to $23.50.
Will local voters approve such a tax hike? After all, Fishers voters have easily approved such plebiscites in recent years. The school system has been making its case to the local community that the senior academies will strengthen an already strong school system and allow for a bulge in enrollment coming up the line to high school.
School Supt. Dr. Brian Smith has made one thing clear: Without the $95-million upgrade, the only way to handle the additional students it so bring in trailers. I don’t know if you have ever known a student taking a class in one of these trailers. Trust me, it is not a good experience for the student or teacher and should be avoided
As we move closer to election day, I have two pieces of advice for all voters in Fishers. First, become familiar with all the issues. Second, vote on May 7.
