Most Of Indiana School Referendums See Success On Election Night

Updated Nov. 4 at 4:20 p.m.

Three of the four school referendums on the ballot in Indiana this election passed, according to results available Wednesday.

The Wawasee Community Schools referendum failed with about two thirds of voters rejecting the measure. Superintendent Tom Edington said it raises the stakes for the upcoming legislative session, when lawmakers will determine state education spending.

In the meantime, he said the district will have to make cuts as it continues grappling with pandemic-related costs.

"So we will be working to make things fit because that's what we have to do," Edington said.

Edington said he expects federal pandemic-related emergency funds to run out for the district in December.

In Marshall County, voters approved additional funding for Bremen Public Schools with 75 percent voting yes. Voters also approved the Southeast Dubois County schools referendum with about 71 percent voting yes. 

Superintendent Jamie Pund said the margin of yes votes sends a message to teachers and students. 

"That tells me that our community has a lot of faith, a lot of trust, and a lot of confidence in our school system," she said.

Gary Community Schools also won by a comfortable margin. The corporation had tried and failed to pass two referendums in the past five years. 

Manager Paige McNulty said in a statement the school is now on the fastest track to end state takeover, and to offer raises to teachers. The district will form a committee to oversee revenue and spending from the measure.

This story has been updated.

Contact reporter Jeanie at jlindsa@iu.edu or follow her on Twitter at @jeanjeanielindz.