“Avon shouldn’t need a referendum because I saw that the Indiana State Legislature ‘increased K-12 funding by $640 million – a 5% increase and the highest funding level to date for Hoosier students’.” Don’t believe the chatter. When Indiana leaders tout broad state-level increases in education funding, it’s important to understand all that is included and how that information fails to translate to adequate increases in state funding to traditional public schools. ACSC’s per-student funding is projected to increase 1.8% this year and 1.5% next year – well below inflation.

“Holding the referendum renewal vote during an off-cycle year is sneaky. Avon Schools is doing this because they’re hoping for low voter turnout while they pump their base to come out, vote, and force the referendum through.” Don’t believe the chatter. There are very important reasons why Avon Schools is holding the referendum renewal vote this November — involving new Indiana laws that contradict one another and could have led to a budget deficit of millions of dollars.

“Vote NO! Avon Schools must be held accountable.” Don’t believe the chatter. As a publicly funded institution, Avon Schools is held to an incredibly high standard of accountability – and they keep receipts. A vote to punish Avon Schools is seriously misled and only punishes students, educators, and our community. Trustworthiness, openness, transparency, and accountability are the values that guide and direct ACSC’s use of public funds.

In 2018, when Avon-Washington Township voters approved the Operating Referendum, the question on the ballot had 82 words. In the last seven years, state lawmakers have made the question even more confusing. It now has 137 words. Bottom line: Your YES vote will ensure the 2018 voter-approved Operating Referendum will continue. Vote YES 4 Avon Schools.

As you see YES 4 Avon Schools canvassing teams out and about, make sure to support them with a honk and a wave. Better yet, join them! You can play an important role in helping us reach all the likely Referendum Renewal supporters in Avon/Washington Township by putting on your walking shoes and joining our canvassing efforts.

“You promised us the 2018 Operating Referendum was supposed to be a one-time thing.” Don’t believe the chatter. The only promises district leaders made in 2018 were that Referendum funds would only be used for low class sizes, improved teacher pay, and student supports. Avon Schools kept those promises, never using a dime for administrator salaries, construction, technology, or transportation.

Fall break wraps up this week, but our work has continued throughout — even from vacation locations. Did you snap a photo in your YES 4 Avon Schools gear while you were away? Share it with us or post it on Facebook or Instagram. Be sure to tag @yes4avonschools. You can also email us your photos.

You don’t need to wait until Election Day (11/4) to vote YES 4 Avon Schools. Early voting will occur at Avon United Methodist Church. Monday through Friday, October 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, you can vote YES from 8 am to 4 pm. Saturday, November 1, you can vote YES from 8 am to 3 pm. Be sure you don’t miss your chance to cast your vote of support for Avon’s Operating Referendum Renewal.

If you cannot make it to a polling place during early voting (10/24-11/1) or on Election Day (11/4), you can still vote YES 4 Avon Schools. You must request an absentee ballot no later than Thursday, October 23. Absentee ballots must be received by the county election board no later than 6:00 pm local time on Election Day. To be safe, mail it no later than Thursday, October 30.

Recently, we asked our Facebook followers why they’re voting YES 4 Avon Schools. (If you’re not following us on Facebook yet, make sure you do!) Here are just a few of the responses.

“Just look at Avon’s ILEARN scores. Money makes things worse.” Don’t believe the chatter. Standardized testing results can be misrepresented if they’re not interpreted correctly. The constantly changing standards and assessment measures in Indiana are why Avon shares test scores in terms of overall state ranking. This compares Avon Schools to other districts across the state who are all impacted by the changing measures. The Operating Referendum has made things better!

Did the voter-approved 2018 Operating Referendum make an impact? There’s nobody better positioned to answer that question than Avon educators. These teachers — all of whom are also Washington Township residents — have first-hand experience about Avon education before and since 2018.

Todd Singer and Valerie Rieger explain why the Executive Committee of the Avon Oriole Advocates would like you to join them in voting YES 4 Avon Schools on Tuesday, November 4.

Shane Sommers serves our community in two major roles. First, he serves as an elected member of the Washington Township Board. Second, he's the COO of Hendricks Regional Health, our county’s largest employer. Most importantly: he's an Avon resident and the father of Avon students. He knows how vital strong schools are in growing a strong community.

Print, TV, radio — YES 4 Avon Schools has made several recent appearances in multiple media outlets. Staff, PAC members, and district leaders have all taken full advantage of opportunities to share Referendum Renewal facts. Keep your eyes and ears open; you never know where YES 4 Avon Schools will be featured next.

“Students don’t need clubs, so any referendum dollars Avon spends on extracurriculars, clubs, and student supports is a waste.” Don’t believe the chatter. Club Opportunities at Avon are not just nice to have. They are a strategic investment in our students’ skills, a vital component of their preparation for higher education, enlistment, and careers.

Fall break is here, but our work continues — even if it’s from a vacation location. Show your support by taking a selfie or group photo wearing your YES 4 Avon Schools swag.

“Avon teachers are overpaid. Did you see they got a 52% pay increase?” Don’t believe the chatter. It doesn’t provide the full story. Because of the voter-approved 2018 Operating Referendum, Avon’s teachers are now paid more competitively, although they’re still not the best paid teachers around.

Cassie Mecklenberg is an Avon High School graduate and Avon resident. She's and her husband are now the guardians of a foster child who attends Avon Schools and they are experiencing the school corporation in a brand new way. Her experience has reinforced the good things she already knew. She's proud to vote Yes 4 Avon Schools in the Nov. 4, 2025, Operating Referendum Renewal. Join her.

“Avon Schools is using $100,000 of taxpayer money for Vote YES materials.” Don’t believe the chatter. Vote YES materials are paid for by generous donations to Taxpayers 4 Avon Schools Political Action Committee (PAC). No school corporation or tax dollars are being used for PAC materials or activities.