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REFERENDUM

2026 Community Survey

Early in 2026, BCSC surveyed the community to gather community input related to the potential renewal of the 2020 operating referendum. This feedback will play an important role in guiding our decisions in the months ahead.

At a board work session held in March, the board heard results of the survey from School Perceptions. 63.3% of the over 4,500 survey respondents indicated they would support the renewal of an operating referendum at a lower average total cost to taxpayers.

You can view the full presentation about the results of the survey from Monday's school board work session meeting in the recording of the livestream here:

Information About the 2020 Referendum

On June 2, 2020, 61.3% of the voters in Bartholomew County voted to approve a property tax referendum for BCSC. The funds generated by this referendum have been used to create an environment where all BCSC students learn from great teachers in safe schools. As of early 2026, BCSC is proud to deliver clear and measurable results thanks, in large part, to the referendum’s approval.

BCSC identified six key goals and targets, all of which are being met or exceeded five years into the eight year referendum. Here are some highlights of how BCSC has used the referendum to retain staff and increase positive student outcomes:
  • BCSC is proud to retain 93% of its staff from the 2024-25 school year to 2025-26, an increase of more than four percentage points since the referendum’s approval. 
  • The corporation has hired seven new School Safety Officers in addition to previously hired School Resource Officers, ensuring students have a safe environment for learning.
  • BCSC has increased childhood literacy scores by seven percentage points since the passage of the referendum.
    A bar graph showing an increase in IREAD scores for BCSC
  • BCSC has increased the high school graduation rate by over five percentage points since the passage of the referendum. 
    A graph showing an increase in the graduation rate at BCSC.
  • Each BCSC elementary school has a dedicated STEM lab, ensuring all K-6 students have access to engaging STEM activities and lessons taught by certified educators.

Other Important Information:


If you have any questions, please contact us at: phillipsc@bcsc.k12.in.us or 812-378-3887.
 

The approved public question:

“For the eight (8) calendar years immediately following the holding of the referendum, shall Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation impose a property tax rate that does not exceed fifteen and six tenths cents ($0.1560) on each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation and that is in addition to all other property taxes imposed by the School Corporation for the purpose of increasing compensation for teachers and support staff and maintaining student safety?”