AVON, Ind. (WISH) — It’s a big decision for Avon Schools district’s voters.

They get to decide whether to continue a tax referendum for the school district, which has 11,000 students. Early voting began Monday.

Supporters say renewing the property tax referendum will fund teachers’ salaries, expand student programing, and lower class sizes.

But, some argue, the referendum will make property taxes worse.

The referendum, first established seven years ago, expires after eight years unless it’s renewed by voters.

Avon Schools Superintendent Scott Wyndham said Monday that he’s seen the difference it’s already made. “There is no doubt our success over the last seven years has been unmatched. We have the highest graduation rate at Avon High School that we have on record. We worked our way back to the top 10% on Indiana school districts on standardized testing because of our low class sizes. Our SAT (standardized college-admission test) scores are the best in the state.”

Avon High School ranked 13 of nearly 300 Indiana schools based on SAT Ready High Schools.

Wyndham is pushing for his community to vote “yes.” “I worry a little bit that our community takes for granted the great things happening in our schools and the great class sizes we have, and I get to bring that perspective as a parent who lived it, and got to see those classes and those impacts on my own kids.”

The superintendent said that, before the referendum, his daughters were in class sizes of 29 students or more. After the referendum took effect, the number dropped to 22 students per class, which, he said, gives students higher quality interactions with teachers.

Republican Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith is against continuing the referendum. He knocked on doors at Avon homes and said voting “yes” will make property taxes worse for many homeowners. On social media, Beckwith said, “Property taxes are crushing too many homeowners, and this referendum would only make it worse. Enough is enough. Families deserve relief, not bigger bills.”

The proposal says the maximum tax rate will be 33 cents per $100 of assessed value, a drop from the district’s initially 35-cent proposal.

According to Avon School’s calculator estimate, a home assessed at $250,000 will have an estimated $400 annual referendum tax liability. Property owners can plug in their own home values to get tax estimates.

Wyndham said, “When you drive around our community, there are a lot of ‘vote yes’ signs, which is great, but signs don’t vote. People go vote, and so what we are really working on … early voting started today. We have early voting throughout the week and, of course, Election Day,” on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Avon parents who spoke to News 8 said they cannot yet decide on the matter because they haven’t read up on this issues, but said they will by Nov. 4.

Early voting

Early voting will continue through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Avon United Methodist Church, 6850 E U.S. 36. Early voting also will happen from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the same church.

Where to vote on Nov. 4

On Election Day, five voting precincts will be open from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.: Avon United Methodist Church; Bartlett Chapel; Plainfield Christian Church; Radiant Bible Church; and Our Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Public question on the ballot

Shall Avon Community School Corporation continue to impose increased property taxes paid to the school corporation by homeowners and businesses for eight (8) years immediately following the holding of the referendum for the purpose of providing funding to maintain reduced class sizes, maintain competitive compensation to attract and retain teaching staff, and maintain instructional supports and opportunities for students, while changing the previously approved maximum rate from $0.35 to $0.33? The property tax increase requested in this referendum was originally approved by the voters in 2018 and if extended will increase the average property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a residence within the school corporation by 29.84% and if extended will increase the average property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a business property within the school corporation by 23.95%.