The Bremen School Board members will present a referendum request on the fall ballot that will ask voters to vote on added resources to employ assistance to students.
Superintendent Dr. Jim White recently stated the residents in Bremen will be asked to increase property taxes up to $300,000 for eight years in order to add key positions at the school corporation. A school nurse would be added which would create two nurses on staff to help all of the students. A mental health therapist would be included as well as a behavioral health specialist, and another guidance counselor.
Dr. White presented the board with wording of the referendum suggested by ICE Miller for consideration Wednesday night.
Dr. White read, “Shall Bremen Public Schools impose a property tax rate that does not exceed six cents on each $100 of assessed valuation and is in addition to all other property taxes imposed by the school corporation for the purpose of funding student health services including an additional nurse, and student mental health support?”
Dr. White said in full disclosure he thought that the money generated from the referendum may provide a little more funds that may be needed, but funding for the positions would be covered. If there is extra money, Dr. White said there is a constructive plan for that.
“We’d use that to kind of offset some budgetary things that would pay for existing mental health people – counselors and guidance counselors that we already have employed. That would offset some expenses and free up some more for education.”
A resolution will be presented to the board members during the July board meeting for approval. After that, it will be sent to the Department of Local Government Finance for review. Eventually, it would be sent to the Marshall County Election Board to be included on the November General Election ballot.
