Boy opposes passage of bill that imposes limitations on school referendums

Today, Feb. 1, State Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) voted against House Bill 1376. HB 1376 will change when local public questions – including school referenda – appear on an election ballot. Under the bill, a referendum will only be on the ballot during general election years, or in municipal general election years if a school district falls entirely within a municipality. After today’s vote, HB 1376 passed the House of Representatives 51 to 43 and is heading to the Senate for consideration. 

Boy released the following statement regarding the bill:  

“Our public schools are severely underfunded, and many school districts need referenda to fill the gaps. House Bill 1376 severely restricts our school's budget flexibility. It removes even the possibility of a municipal election if a school district extends beyond municipal boundaries. This is the case in Michigan City, where some school districts cross both municipal and county lines. HB 1376 also removes the option for a special election for a referendum.  The biggest problem with school referenda that I’ve personally witnessed is the wording of the question. It will not make a difference if it's held in the primary, the municipal, or the general election if voters can't understand what the question means. 

“Most importantly, I believe this bill prohibits local control over a local issue. Parents, other residents of the community and the elected school board should be able to decide when to do a referendum – not the state. I believe that our local communities understand what their schools need more than legislators at the Statehouse. We should let school districts who want a referendum do it on their own timetable.”