Three Elkhart County school districts are facing financial challenges brought on by Indiana’s tax caps, and the only short-term fix lies in the hands of the General Assembly.
Last week the superintendents of the Concord, Elkhart and Goshen school districts outlined how the tax caps, combined with stagnate assessed property values, have withered their property tax revenue, leaving them far few dollars to repair buildings and operate their student transportation programs.
Because of this downturn in revenue, each district is considering cuts to student transportation and continuing to delay needed building maintenance. This is not a cut we would like to see, but given all the alternatives, we would much rather see transportation reductions instead of negative impacts being made to the learning opportunities for students.
The superintendents are looking to the General Assembly for help in averting a transportation crisis in the 2013-14 school year. And we think local legislators should join with legislators from across the state to give serious consideration to a short-term grant option. The superintendents said the General Assembly has helped with grants in the past, and as this revenue drop is continuing this year, the General Assembly should consider continuing that help.
However, a long-term solution will require a growing property tax base. When the recession hit Elkhart County in 2008, it struck with a forceful right hook and a devastating left jab.
First, thousands of jobs disappeared within the span of a few months. Then, because of the lack of jobs, the housing industry plummeted to a depth it had never been to before. Home and property prices declined, few new homes were built and foreclosed homes were seemingly in every block. The result was that the assessed value of property in school districts declined, or was flat.
Also in 2008, Indiana voters approved property tax caps in an effort to control spending by government entities. These caps have limited income for county and city governments, libraries and school corporations.
The wisdom of these caps can be debated until the cows come home, but the fact is the public overwhelmingly placed them into the state’s Constitution in 2010. That means the caps will continue to reshape the way local governments and school districts operate in coming years.
For now, we think the fair and proper way to handle this crisis is just what the superintendents are asking: A short-term infusion of money from the General Assembly. That money may be enough to bridge the gap from our slow-growth economy to a more dynamic economy that many indicators show is just over the horizon.
Opinion
Related Photos
-
Goshen Community School busses parked in the lot along U.S. 33 across from the high school in this November 2010 file photo. As a result of property tax cuts, school leaders are considering major cuts in student transportation. CHAD WEAVER
School corporations could use some relief
- Opinion
-
-
Keep taking those weather reports seriously
If you lacked a peaceful, easy feeling Wednesday, you weren’t alone. Throughout the day, media outlets were abuzz with breaking news: A massive line of storms was heading across the Midwest, and Michiana was in its path.
-
Consistent battle plan would help with drug war
Wednesday night, employees at a Goshen convenience store inadvertently found themselves in the middle of the battle over synthetic drugs underway in Indiana.
-
Goshen High School needs a new pool
For the past six months, the proposed $35.5 Goshen community center project made for lively lunch counter conversation here in Goshen.
-
Graduation is a time to reflect
You’ve seen the pictures in The Goshen News. You might have been there when the photos were taken.
-
Photo spurs discussion about farm safety
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then we at The Goshen News have nearly received our quota.
-
Replacement of mascot statue the right thing to do
Sometimes it is tough to do the right thing. And sometimes the right thing has to be done at the right time to achieve lasting change. That’s how we feel about the removal, and now the replacement of, the Native American Indian statue in the Goshen High School gymnasium.
-
A road to new bus solutions
This is a situation of that pesky “hidden cost” rearing its ugly head.
-
Golson's lesson goes beyond wins and loses
It was around 10 p.m. this past Saturday when preliminary reports about Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson’s future with the football team began to seep out through social media and “breaking news” tickers.
-
Take a moment to honor those who sacrificed
You’re probably off work Monday.
-
Council makes a smart move on tax breaks
The Goshen City Council’s adoption of a tax phase-in policy for local governments will help bring uniformity to a competitive process that has pitted local governments against each other.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Keep taking those weather reports seriously
Ex-Hit Man's Past Is a Shock to Some Neighbors
Fans: Gandofini 'Put New Jersey on the Map'
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
