School City of Mishawaka's board voted Tuesday evening to pursue two referenda on this November's ballot. Tribune File Photo
MISHAWAKA — School City of Mishawaka's board gave its approval Tuesday night for the district to pursue two ballot issues this fall totaling $25.6 million.
The first question on November's ballot will be for an annual operating referendum for $1.8 million per year for seven years to pay for technology upgrades, new school programming options and employee raises. The second will be a capital referendum for $13 million to be repaid over 15 years. That money will be used for security upgrades to the district's buildings, as well as "core infrastructure" upgrades, such as roofs, windows and heating and cooling systems repairs.
If both referendums pass, the owner of a home with an assessed value of $100,000 will pay an additional $134.66 per year until 2023. From 2024 to 2032, the tax impact would decline to $54.95 per year for the same homeowner.
The next step in the process is for the board to have a public hearing on the capital referendum. That'll take place at its next regular meeting on June 14.
Nearly three years ago, almost 70 percent of taxpayers in the district shot down a $28 million school referendum for building, technology, security and other upgrades.
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