How's this for big kahunas.The Mulberry Street Gang is betting on the come the referendum is a done deal.
So, confident is the Zionsville School Corp. that the referendum tax will pass in November that $5.8 million of the first year's proceeds from the tax was included in the 2011 budget, which the Zionsville school board has on its agenda again at Monday night's meeting (8-23)! Page 8 in the budget shows a line item for "referendum fund" with $5.84 million in it. ZCS apparently feels like they are playing with the house's money because, "The Referendum Fund, if the operating referendum is approved, will also be included in future years." (page 10.) Isn't it grand to play with O.P.M.?
But, perhaps the Robison administration should make some side bets, just as insurance.
It must be in the cards that the referendum will be protested. The 2011 budget is being challenged by a group of local residents, with more than the required number of signatures.
A devoted and die-hard group of anti-tax folks has formed a committee - Zionsville Taxpayers for Responsible Education - to do battle with the Zionsville Community Schools PAC, ZCS Yes. The ZTRE is currently soliciting contributions through a post office box - Zionsville Taxpayers for Responsible Education, P.O. Box 93, Zionsville 46077.
And, from the sounds of the cash register, the money is rolling in - and the group is only two weeks old. But with $5.8 million a year on the table, expect Robison to scramble for his trump card.
David Drexel's money is on the underdog.
