By Ann Marie Shambaugh
Carmel Clay Schools voters have spoken: the district’s referendum will remain in place.
With all Carmel precincts reporting, nearly 90 percent of voters cast ballots in favor of the replacement referendum.
“A big thank you to our community for validating and valuing our children’s public education,” stated CCS Supt. Nicholas Wahl. “This vote proves the schools are an integral and important part of our community.”
Voters approved increasing the referendum tax rate by 3 cents, bumping it to 19 cents. With a 3 cent reduction expected in the district’s debt service rate, the total school tax rate is expected to remain flat at 83 cents per $100 of assessed property value.
Without approval of the referendum, CCS officials said that 260 emloyees would lose their jobs, including 141 teachers. Some elective programs and extracurricular activities would have also been cut.
