Report: May school votes failed at highest rate in 8 years

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A published report says Indiana's May school referendums failed at their highest rate in 8 years.

The Indianapolis Star reports six of the 10 referendums on Indiana primary ballots Tuesday were approved. Proposals to support a new elementary school, school safety projects and money to raise teacher pay were some of the proposals that voters rejected.

Larry DeBoer, an economist at Purdue University who studies government public policy, says the passing rate was especially low for a May election. He says it's the smallest percentage of winners in a May election since 2011.

The newspaper reports a rate hike to $1.19 for every $100 of assessed value to boost River Forest Schools in Lake County was the highest proposed and passed since school districts began running referendums in 2008.

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com