Voters leave some township schools out in the cold

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - School referenda were on the ballot in three Marion County districts Tuesday night, but only one superintendent was smiling Wednesday morning. Beech Grove voters approved the referendum: 62 to 38 percent.

But the referendum was soundly defeated in Franklin Township.

Perry Township's referendum also went down in defeat, but it was close: 49 to 51 percent. Perry's Abraham Lincoln Elementary needs new heating and cooling systems, more classroom space and improved security. But it will have to wait, as will the $98.9 million in improvements for all 17 of the township’s schools and academies. That's because Perry Township voters said "no" to the referendum to fund the improvements.

Perry Township Superintendent Thomas Little said voters contend district administrators are advocating the right measure at the wrong time. Little feels fairly confident that the referendum could pass next year.

Meanwhile, Franklin Township's referendum was soundly defeated by a two-to-one margin. Now the tough work begins of carving $9 million out of next year's budget.

"I'm certain there's going to be a period of time here before we actually determine where those cuts will be made when anxieties will be high," said Dr. Walter Bourke, Franklin Township Superintendent.

The general fund from which salaries and benefits are paid is short $3 million.

"There will surely be teachers, administrators, maintenance staff, everyone else involved in the reduction in force," said Bourke.

Translation: layoffs.

That makes parents of school children nervous. One parent, who has a first grader at Bunker Hill Elementary School, said she's afraid fewer teachers could mean bigger class sizes.

"Our school is full to the brim. I mean we can't put another kid in our classrooms. We just really needed it to pass so that our teachers don't have to have 30-something kids in our classrooms," said Tammy Just, parent and secretary of Bunker Hill's Parent Teacher Organization.

Just said she urged everyone she knows to vote "yes." But she admits even her best friend voted against referendum. It's indicative, perhaps, of the tough sell for voters in tough times.

Times are sure to get tougher for Franklin Township board members and administrators. On November 23, they'll meet to outline priorities deciding which cuts will have the least impact on students.

In the spring, the pink slips will begin.