District overview
Portage Township Schools
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How Portage Township Schools are paid for and who decides
Portage Township Schools serves about 6,600 students in Portage, Ogden Dunes and nearby Porter County, Indiana, at seven elementary schools, Fegely Intermediate, Willowcreek Middle School and Portage High School. Classroom costs are paid mostly by Indiana's per-student tuition support through the education fund. Local property taxes pay for the operations fund (buses, buildings, utilities, safety) and the debt fund. An elected five-member Board of School Trustees sets the budget and policy and oversees Superintendent Dr. Amanda Alaniz. In 2026, state property-tax changes (Senate Enrolled Act 1) and the tax caps are cutting the local money the district can collect.
State money per student
Tuition support follows enrollment, which is declining. Staff say the per-student amount has not kept up with inflation.
Local property tax
The 2027 budget sets a total levy of about $27.3 million. Staff expect the tax caps to cut about $3.5 million from the operations levy.
Bonds for buildings
A construction program of about $99.85 million is paid for with bonds that fit under the tax caps, without a voter referendum. A $15.7 million bond for 2027 was approved in August 2026.
Elected board
Five trustees vote on every action by roll call. A board vacancy in May 2026 was filled by board appointment.
A January 2026 state fiscal indicators report called the district financially healthy with strong cash balances, even as it warned of an operations fund deficit.
Where the district stands
From the federal NCES Common Core of Data; not a collected district document.
Major projects
New Wallace Aylesworth Middle School
under constructionA new middle school replaces the aging buildings. Bids of about $57.4 million were awarded in December 2025, Aylesworth Elementary was emptied and is being demolished, and the district held the groundbreaking in October 2026. Students are expected to move in for 2028-29.
- Construction bids awarded
- Abatement contract at Aylesworth Elementary
- About $55 million in Series 2026 bonds approved
- Groundbreaking (reported Oct 26)
- Planned move-in for 2028-29
Funding
Building-corporation and general obligation bonds within the tax caps (no referendum)
School reconfiguration
in effect 2026-27Seven elementary schools now serve K-4, Fegely is a grade 5-6 intermediate school and Willowcreek serves grades 7-8. Aylesworth Elementary closed. Bus routes and boundaries changed, and some parents objected to how transfers were grandfathered.
- Plan presented
- Aylesworth Elementary farewell
- Board affirms new configuration
Funding
Operating budget
Portage High School gym, media center and cafeteria renovation
bids awardedBids opened on September 16, 2026 and were awarded on September 28. Work starts with the cafeteria and media center; the gym follows after basketball season. Substantial completion is set for August 27, 2027.
- Construction-management amendment
- Bids awarded
- Substantial completion target
Funding
2026 and 2027 bonds
Recovery from the August 11, 2026 derecho
in progressThe storm closed schools until August 25. The district is documenting damage with its insurer and talking with FEMA, and the state said no makeup days are needed.
- Derecho and tornadoes
- Students return
- Insurance and FEMA update
Funding
Insurance and possible FEMA aid
Recent news
Built from the district's own YouTube channel of school board meeting recordings (October 27, 2025 through October 26, 2026), read through YouTube's auto-generated captions.
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