Record number of school referendums expected this fall
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Indiana appears headed toward a record-breaking school referendum year as districts try to offset funding losses caused by state policy changes.
Why it matters: Schools are feeling the effects of last year's property tax cuts and looking for ways to stay afloat without cutting staff or services, but asking voters to raise property taxes during tough economic times could prove a difficult sell.
- Without increased taxes, though, schools are facing tough choices — cuts to transportation services, increased class sizes, or fewer school resource officers.
- "We're trying to offset the damage caused by legislative changes," Tom Oestreich, superintendent of Carmel Clay Schools, explained during a recent referendum discussion with his board.
State of play: On Monday night, Bartholomew Consolidated Schools in Columbus voted to renew its referendum and Mississinewa Community Schools voted to advance one for the first time.
- At least 11 districts statewide have officially voted to place a referendum on the November ballot.
- An Axios Indianapolis analysis of documents for school boards around the state identified at least a dozen more that are considering a referendum.
- Barr-Reeve and Beech Grove schools are expected to vote on theirs Tuesday night.
Context: State lawmakers made a number of changes driving the increase in school referendums this fall.
- The property tax cuts passed in 2025 are costing districts hundreds of millions in revenue annually.
- Lawmakers also changed referendum procedures.
- While districts used to be able to place questions on either the primary or general election ballots in any given year, those rules were changed so that a district may place a referendum only on the general election ballot in an even-numbered year.
What they're saying: "Our sense is that there's going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 or so school districts around the state," Matthew Parkinson with Policy Analytics told the Pike Township Schools board during a recent meeting.
- Pike passed a referendum in May 2024, so it isn't considering a renewal this year, but leaders said they'll be watching the passage rates for this spate of referendums as they consider their own renewal in the next few years.
Stunning stat: The most referendums the state has seen in a single year so far is 20 in 2010, but that was split between the primary and general elections.
Between the lines: It's not just one type of district pursuing referendums this year.
- Parkinson said some districts are considering a referendum for the first time, while others are looking to renew an existing referendum early to raise the rate and offset losses from both property tax cuts and new rules on sharing funds with charter schools.
Zoom in: At least 10 districts in Central Indiana have passed or are considering referendums this year.
- Anderson, Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville, Sheridan, Washington Township, Westfield Washington, and Zionsville schools have all officially approved their ballot questions.
- Beech Grove, Carmel Clay and Indianapolis Public Schools are expected to vote soon.
What we're watching: School districts have until Aug. 1 to approve a referendum question for the November ballot, so we're waiting to see just how many end up going for it this year.