CARMEL, Ind.--A school safety referendum was approved Wednesday night by the Carmel Clay School Board and it could be placed on the November ballot.
It would increase taxes by 5 cents for every $100 of assessed value. For example, property taxes on a $250,000 home would increase by $65 per year. Property taxes on a $750,000 home would increase by $232 annually.
Carmel Clay school leaders say the extra money would generate about $5 million per year over the eight year referendum.
Superintendent Michael Beresford told our newsgathering partners at WISH TV that the plan is crucial to increase school security as the rise in school violence across the nation has grown.
“The days where school safety was on the back burner are over,” said Beresford. “The last decade has been frightening. I do think we just have to keep adding layer upon layer upon layer in order to keep our kids safe.”
The board voted unanimously in favor of the proposal.
Jennifer Goodspeed lives in Carmel and she is concerned about it.
“I am disappointed in the legislature that they would put this type of national issue on the shoulders of local public schools, instead of funding it like they should for all schools at the state level as part of the regular budget,” Goodspeed said.
The referendum also says Carmel Clay Schools would add 11 more school resource officers in addition to the seven already employed by the district. Also, programs addressing mental illness for students and staff will be considered to improve school safety and reduce violence.
It has to be approved by the Department of Local Finance before being added to the November ballot. If that happens, and voters approve it, changes could go into effect as early as January 2020.
(PHOTO: WISH TV)
