Only a handful of people were on hand, but the conversation was lively as Hamilton Southeastern School officials made their case and answered questions about the May 3rd tax referendum.  The ballot measure is asking for 12.75 cents more per $100 of assessed property tax valuations beginning in 2017.

The event was held Wednesday evening at the Delaware Township Community Building.

One lady questioned why the school system was pushing staff raises when she has no children in the school system any longer and had no increase in her Social Security benefits this year.  Administrators said school staff have forgone raises for years, with many years of no pay raises at all, and the referendum is an effort to catch up and be more competitive with neighboring school corporations in attracting and retaining staff members.

Another person in attendance said he supports the referendum, but is involved in marching band parent organizations in the HSE Schools and is getting “roughed up” about the referendum by some band parents.  HSE School CFO Mike Reuter pointed out that there has been a considerable investment in band facilities in recent years.

There will be another opportunity for the public to ask questions about the school referendum on Tuesday, April 26th, also at the Delaware Township community building.