Sheridan Community Schools seeks referendum renewal in November

Submitted by Sheridan Community Schools

The Sheridan Community Schools Board of Trustees has announced plans to place a referendum question before voters this November as the district works to maintain current educational programming, staffing, and student opportunities in the face of significant changes to Indiana’s property tax laws.

District officials emphasize that the proposed referendum is not intended to generate additional revenue, but rather to preserve the level of funding previously approved by voters in 2023 and protect the progress Sheridan schools have made in recent years.

Board President Tyler Henning explained that the need for a new referendum stems directly from changes enacted by the Indiana General Assembly through Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1).

“This was not part of our original long-range financial planning that we initiated four years ago,” Henning said. “We worked very hard to ensure Sheridan Community Schools was on strong financial footing following the successful 2023 referendum. Then the legislature passed Senate Bill 1 in the Spring of 2025 and it affected the future tax base of the district. We spend a tremendous amount of time planning and making sure every dollar is used wisely, but SEA 1 has dramatically changed the financial landscape for school districts across Indiana.”

The district’s current referendum rate is $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed value. The proposed referendum would establish a maximum rate of $0.40 per $1,000 of assessed value. However, district officials note that the actual amount collected each year may be significantly less than the maximum rate. Each year the school board can analyze the upcoming year and determine the rate needed to keep the district pushing forward. If this new amount was to pass, then it would replace the original rate of $0.25. The two would not run simultaneously.

Superintendent Dr. Dave Mundy said many property owners may see little to no increase – and some may actually pay less – because of new property tax deductions and state-mandated tax caps included within the legislation.

Mundy

“While it may sound unusual to increase the referendum rate from $0.25 to up to $0.40, many property owners will actually see reduced tax obligations due to the changes included in SEA 1,” Mundy said. “Our goal is to remain fiscally responsible and continue the prudent financial management that has long been a hallmark of Sheridan Community Schools.”

Unlike previous referendums, the amount generated will be affected by a sliding scale based on property classifications, making annual collections less predictable. District leaders say the proposed rate provides flexibility to maintain the same level of net referendum funding approved by voters in 2023.

The district points to a number of recent successes as evidence of the positive impact of community support, including academic growth, expanded career and technical education opportunities, facility improvements, and continued success in attracting and retaining high-quality educators.

“Our district is excelling on many levels right now, and we do not want to lose that momentum,” Mr. Henning said. “To continue providing outstanding opportunities for students, we must remain competitive in attracting and retaining top-notch educators and staff. This referendum is about maintaining what we have built together as a community.”

District officials also noted that cost-saving measures have already been implemented, including reductions totaling several hundred thousand dollars in expenditures during the current budget cycle.

Sheridan Community Schools expressed appreciation for the strong support the community has demonstrated over the years. The district’s 2023 referendum was approved with approximately 84 percent voter support.

“We are blessed to have one of the most supportive communities in the state, and we never take that support for granted,” Mundy said. “We are committed to being transparent throughout this process. If residents have questions, we encourage them to reach out. I would be happy to meet with anyone individually, and we will do our best to provide clear and accurate information every step of the way.”

Additional information regarding the referendum will be shared by Sheridan Community Schools in the coming months leading up to the November election.