VIGO COUNTY, Ind. – On Thursday local reporters were given an update on presentations being given to citizens on a property tax referendum to benefit Vigo County Schools

The referendum asks for $4 million in increased property taxes annually for the next eight years.

As part of the plan to get schools back on the right financial track there will also be $4 million in budget cuts. If the referendum does not pass, those cuts will likely double to $8 million.

 

The district has been holding a series of community meetings to hear your ideas on just where those cuts should be and to hear any ideas on ways to increase revenue.

Remaining meetings–all 6:30-8p.m.:

Oct 8: Deming

Oct 9: Davis Park

Oct 10: Fayette

Oct 15: West Vigo Elementary

Oct 16: Franklin

Oct 17: Meadows

 

District. Superintendent Rob Haworth talked about some of the more popular suggestions he’s heard from the public.

A full list of suggestions provided by the community is available at vigoschools.org or by clicking here.

Here are some of the most popular suggestions according to district officials.

REVENUE ENHANCEMENT

• Obtain business partners/sponsorships
• Absorb Covered Bridge into Vigo County School Corporation
• For-profit preschool programming
• Rent facilities to community organizations for one/two-day events
• Lease empty space and equipment to community organizations
• Convert unused space to residences for an international exchange program
• Expand virtual school offerings beyond Vigo County and/or 9-12 grade
• Solar/geothermal heat in buildings

 

BUDGET CUTS

• Redistricting/consolidating schools
• Combine bus routes to maximize bus riders
• Reduce paper costs/use technology
• Stagger start times for secondary/elementary (transportation)
• Four day school week. That would require state approval.
• Reevaluate administrative positions and combine responsibilities
• Retirement incentives for staff
• Virtual snow days/eLearning days
• Alter bus replacement plan/maintain vehicles so they last longer
• Hire fewer contractors and move mechanical work “in house”

 

Haworth says no decisions have been made about what schools would be consolidated or closed but says enrollment would be a factor. Student population, however, would not be the only factor. School leaders have to consider the schools location within the county and building conditions.

The district’s architect, Fanning Howey, have provided these “utilization” figures. The percentage shows how much of each school is being used.

Davis Park: 77%,

Deming: 72%,

Farrington Grove: 101%,

Franklin: 81%,

Fuqua: 91%,

Lost Creek: 78%,

Meadows: 65%,

Ouabache: 86%,

Riley: 50%,

Rio Grande: 81%,

Sugar Grove: 99%,

Terre Town: 100%,

West Vigo ES: 71%,

Devaney: 118%,

Dixie Bee: 105%,

Fayette: 47%,

Hoosier Prairie: 86%,

Sugar Creek Consolidated: 78%,

Honey Creek: 91%,

Otter Creek: 79%,

Sarah Scott: 46%,

West Vigo MS: 65%,

Woodrow Wilson: 87%,

Terre Haute South: 104%,

Terre Haute North: 107%,

West Vigo: 66%,

Data for Booker T. Washington and McLean was not available at this time.

Supt. Haworth says the district will look at other school buildings, too. This includes the administration building in downtown Terre Haute. Haworth says the property will only go up in value thanks to the projects planned in the downtown area. It could be possible that those offices relocate into unused space in another building.