Two taxpayer referendums worth nearly $1 billion were approved unanimously by the Indianapolis Public Schools Board Thursday to be placed on the May primary election ballot.

The school district will seek $736 million to increase operating funds and $200 million for construction and building projects.

An increasing number of school corporations have turned to this community-based funding solution, after property tax caps were passed in 2008.

School districts across the state have turned to referenda questions over the last decade as ways to supplement funding for schools.

School districts across the state -- including three in Hamilton County -- are once again asking voters to help fund public schools, with nine districts asking for property tax increases Tuesday.

Eight Indiana school districts, including Washington Township in Marion County, are using referenda in an effort to raise funds to pay for construction projects and operating costs.

Nine school referenda questions are on ballots around the state. Referenda became more common after property tax caps went into place in 2008.

This November, seven districts are posing nine different ballot questions asking voters to fund construction projects or contribute to the district's general fund.

As the May 3 Indiana primary approaches, 10 school districts across the state are asking voters to raise taxes to fund school projects.