Superintendent Wayne Barker told the Northwest Allen County Schools Board Monday that district teachers will earn higher salaries next year pending ratification of a new contract, but the size of the increase will depend on whether voters approve a referendum in the November election.

 School referendums are becoming more common throughout the state. As public schools try to balance property tax con-straints and meet community expectations, they face financial pressures exacerbated by growing non-discretionary costs such as transportation, utilities and insurance, and a diversion of funding for Indiana’s private-school voucher program.

In the May primary election, four Indiana public school districts sought referendums to increase teacher pay, address inadequate facilities or enact safet

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