INDIANA — A record 38 public school districts across Indiana will ask voters to approve property tax referendums on the November general election ballot, collectively seeking roughly $500 million in local tax revenue.
The surge in ballot measures stems from state property tax reform legislation passed last year—specifically Senate Enrolled Act 1—which significantly restricted when local school boards can put tax levies before voters.
Under the updated state law, school referendums can now only appear on general election ballots held in even-numbered years (once every two years), eliminating the former option for districts to hold referendums during spring primary elections. As a result, any school corporation that opts out of filing a referendum this fall will be forced to wait until November 2028 to ask taxpayers for additional local funding.
Why Districts Are Heading to the Ballot
Facing reduced local revenue ceilings, inflation, and upcoming expirations of existing tax levies, 17 of the 38 districts are asking voters for early renewals or rate adjustments to maintain their operational baselines.
“For the 38 districts pursuing the referendum, it’s not really for program expansions — new programs, new expenses,” said Terry Spradlin, executive director of the Indiana School Boards Association. “It’s really to maintain status quo.”
According to tracking by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) and school advocacy groups:
- Operating Referendums (36 districts): The vast majority of districts are seeking operating levies to fund everyday expenses, such as teacher and staff salaries, academic programming, transportation, and classroom supplies.
- Construction Referendums (1 district): The School City of Whiting is the only district in the state pursuing a facility construction levy (a $39 million capital project), alongside an operating measure.
- Safety Referendums (1 district): The Wa-Nee Community School Corporation in Elkhart and Kosciusko counties is the sole district pursuing a standalone school safety referendum.
School Districts Seeking Referendums
According to filings with the DLGF, school corporations across rural, suburban, and urban communities have placed measures on the November ballot.
While the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) continues to process final county certifications ahead of the fall ballot deadline, 38 public school corporations across the state have filed or initiated property tax referendum resolutions for the November 3, 2026 general election.
The majority of districts are pursuing operating referendums to sustain staff compensation, academic programming, and daily school operations following revenue shifts under Senate Enrolled Act 1.
Operating Referendums (36 Districts Total)
- Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (Bartholomew County)
- Carmel Clay Schools (Hamilton County)
- Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) (Marion County)
- Mississinewa Community School Corporation (Grant County)
- MSD of Shakamak (Clay & Greene Counties)
- MSD of Wayne Township (Marion County)
- Noblesville Schools (Hamilton County)
- School City of Whiting (Lake County — pursuing both operating and capital)
- Smith-Green Community Schools (Noble & Whitley Counties)
- Zionsville Community Schools (Boone County)
Dedicated School Safety Referendum (1 District)
- Wa-Nee Community School Corporation (Elkhart & Kosciusko Counties)
Construction & Capital Projects Referendum (1 District)
- School City of Whiting (Lake County — $39 million facility project)
Breakdown of the Referendums
- Levy Renewals (17 Districts): Seeking early renewal of existing levies that are set to expire between 2026 and 2028, adjusting rates to match updated state property tax caps.
- First-Time Applicants (~10 Districts): Floating an operating levy for the first time to cover structural budget deficits.
- Repeat Filings (7 Districts): Re-submitting measures previously rejected by voters in prior election cycles.
(Note: The complete county-by-county ballot listing is available directly via the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) Referendum Dashboard at in.gov/dlgf/referendum-information as local county election boards complete final ballot printing).
High Stakes for Local Communities
Statewide property tax caps and recent legislative adjustments have reduced the local tax dollars available for day-to-day operations, forcing more districts to rely on voter-approved referendum levies to bridge funding gaps.
Historically, Indiana school referendums have enjoyed a strong success rate, with roughly 60% passing statewide since referendums were established in 2009. However, with 38 separate measures on a single general election ballot, education leaders and local taxpayers face a pivotal vote that will dictate district budgets through at least 2028.
