Tipton school board approves district’s first operating referendum to appear on November ballot

Submitted by Tipton Community School Corp.

At the June 30 Special Meeting of the Tipton Community School Corporation (TCSC) Board of Trustees, members voted to approve the Operating Referendum Tax Levy Resolution. With this action, an operating referendum question will be placed on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, giving Tipton voters the opportunity to decide the future of this funding measure.

This decision follows more than a year of detailed financial review, community conversation, and growing pressure from statewide property-tax reform, particularly Senate Enrolled Act 1 (2025), which significantly reduces local revenue for schools.

Over the past several months, the Board has examined budgets line by line, implemented cost reductions, evaluated every alternative available, and listened closely to community feedback. This vote reflects the Board’s conclusion that an operating referendum is the most viable path to sustaining essential services for students in a public school system nearly 150 years strong.

TCSC continues to face rising financial pressures, including circuit breaker losses caused by property-tax caps. These losses reduce the dollars available for school operations each year. The referendum would help stabilize funding and protect core student services.

The proposed ballot language asks voters whether TCSC may impose an operating tax rate not to exceed $0.25 for up to eight years, generating no more than $2 million annually.

For a median Tipton residence valued at $180,600 to $200,000, the estimated impact in 2027 is approximately $174 to $216 per year (about $14 to $18 per month). These figures are estimates based on current projections and will read:

Shall the Tipton Community School Corporation increase property taxes paid to the school corporation for no more than eight (8) years for the purpose of providing funding to maintain academic programs, class sizes, student support, health and safety services, attract and retain teachers and support staff, maintain student transportation services, and sustain educational and operational funding stability by imposing a property tax rate that does not exceed $0.25 and results in a maximum annual amount that does not exceed $2,000,000. If this operating referendum public question is approved by the voters, for a median residence of $200,000, the property’s annual property tax bill would increase by $216 per year.

TCSC is not alone in this request. Roughly one in five Indiana school districts already has an operating referendum in place, many at rates higher than what TCSC is proposing.

If approved by voters in November 2026, the operating referendum would provide revenue to help TCSC:

• Maintain class sizes and preserve academic programs
• Support student services, including counseling, special education, and intervention
• Retain and recruit qualified teachers and staff
• Protect transportation, safety, and operational needs
• Sustain long‑term financial stability

Without additional operating revenue, the district will continue to face difficult decisions that could affect staffing, programming, and student opportunities.

Regardless of where community members stand on the issue, the Board’s action underscores the importance of staying informed. Public education belongs to the entire Tipton community, and the referendum decision ultimately rests with voters.

Click here to watch the Board meeting. You can also find more information at tcsc.k12.in.us.

The Board encourages residents to follow upcoming informational sessions, review district materials, and engage in the process leading up to the November 2026 election. A well‑informed community is essential to making thoughtful decisions about the future of TCSC.