Fact Vs. Fiction: The 2018 Referendum was a One-Time Thing
“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.
Unfortunately, the Indiana public-school-funding situation is the same in 2025. Maybe worse.
When the Operating Referendum succeeded in 2018, planning for this Renewal began almost immediately. This is because:
State law requires Operating Referendums be renewed every eight years.
Avon’s Referendum funds were dedicated to hiring 173 personnel – primarily teachers – and without renewed funding there’s no way to retain these employees.
District leaders doubted state funding would improve enough after 2018 to make a Referendum Renewal unnecessary.
Construction Referendums are the only realistic one-time Referendums. In 2018, Washington Township taxpayers were clear in supporting reduced class sizes, more competitive teacher compensation, and more opportunities and supports for students. District leaders listened, and have fulfilled that promised to keep Operating Referendum dollars as close to students as possible.
The 2018 Operating Referendum was necessary because the state was failing to fund public schools at an appropriate level. The state essentially told school districts like Avon that if they felt their students deserved more, their communities needed to vote for increased funding. That’s what happened, and Avon’s students and educators have benefitted greatly.
Unfortunately, the Indiana public-school-funding situation is the same in 2025. Maybe worse. The state is still funding schools well below inflation. As they did in 2018, it is up to the Avon-Washington Township community to step up to say, “Our students and teachers deserve more.”
Vote YES 4 Avon Schools on November 4 and help our schools maintain success.