On Thursday, April 19th, The Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously on a resolution to support the General Fund Referendum and to encourage its members to vote “yes” on May 8th. Sixteen of the eighteen board members were present for the vote on Thursday morning and all of them were in agreement, this is too big of an issue for us to remain neutral. Many of the members are business owners themselves and are not overly excited to pay more in taxes but understand the risks to the local economy without a thriving school system.
Duneland School Corporation has consistently been ranked among the best schools in the State of Indiana, combining educational high-achievement and fiscal efficiency in a manner that has led the Indiana Chamber of Commerce to select it as a “Best Buy School”. A strong well-regarded school system helps attract and retain businesses to the Duneland area and provides the foundation for a well-educated and trained workforce. Also, property values and the overall economic viability of the Duneland community are directly impacted by the strength of the Duneland School Corporation.
Furthermore, changes in the funding formula by the Indiana General Assembly have resulted in a growing disparity in the funding of school corporations putting the Duneland School Corporation 23rd from the bottom of all school corporations in per pupil funding.
Having already engaged in severe reductions and cost-cutting the Duneland School Corporation has eliminated more than 30 teaching, administrative and non-teaching positions since 2010. Additional staff reductions and the elimination of extracurricular programming will be necessary unless new revenue is generated.
The Board of Directors also felt it was equally important to resolve to urge the Indiana State Legislature to address school funding in a meaningful way and reduce the increasing disparity between schools.