Referendum Success Allows District to Continue Key Programs
May 8, 2019
Voters in the MSD of Wayne Township approved an operating referendum May 7 which will allow the district to continue important programs. The referendum will generate an additional $10 million per year for the next eight years for the district.
Monies raised by the referendum will be used to continue programs such as the district’s volunteer reading tutoring program HOSTS, along with Ben Davis University High School, Wayne Township Preschool, and Wayne Preparatory Academy.
“On Tuesday, May 7, the Wayne Township community voted to support our children and our schools,” said MSD Wayne Superintendent Jeff Butts in an email to staff. “We were able to successfully share our stories of success and educate the voters about the critical work that we do each and every day with students. I feel so fortunate to live and work in a community that continues to support its schools and students.”
Dr. Butts said he is grateful to the MSD Wayne Board of Education for being willing to place the referendum question on the ballot. “The Board could have very easily made the decision to cut the budget and reduce programs,” he said. “However, they had the willingness and courage to ask the community to give them feedback regarding the future of our district.”
Dr. Butts said with the referendum vote, the Wayne community overwhelmingly gave the district the message to continue offering opportunities that go beyond those mandated by the state. “However,” he said, “this campaign also made clear that we must continue to search for efficiencies and areas to reduce expenditures. We will be working collectively to identify these areas moving forward with a goal to prepare for a significant change to the 2015 referendum as it ends its statutory life.”
Dr. Butts thanked the hundreds of volunteers who made phone calls, walked neighborhoods, and worked the polls. “By coming together and making sure the facts were shared,” he said, “we were able to have a much more informed voter.”
