REFERENDUM 2026
Overview
Great Teachers. Safe Schools. Continued.
BCSC is asking Bartholomew County voters to renew the 2020 operating referendum—at the same tax rate, with a lower overall cost—ensuring our momentum in student outcomes, staff retention, and school safety can continue through 2034. The administration is recommending the School Board place a renewal question on the November 2026 ballot.
NOTE: Question language is subject to Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) approval.
The proposed question on the ballot:
"Shall Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation continue to increase property taxes paid to the school corporation for no more than eight (8) years for the purpose of funding and maintaining competitive compensation for teachers and staff and maintaining student safety by imposing a property tax rate that does not exceed $0.156 and results in a maximum annual amount that does not exceed $10.1M. If this operating referendum public question is NOT approved by the voters, for a median residence of $250,000, the property's annual tax bill would decrease by (to be calculated by county auditor, current estimate is $182/year). If this operating referendum public question is approved by the voters, it would be a renewal of the most recent operating referendum public question passed in 2020 with a property tax rate of fifteen and six tenths cents ($0.156)."
2026 Renewal at a Glance
$9.5M avg/year
Lower than the amount collected in 2026, reducing tax impact to constituents
$0.156
Max tax rate per $100 assessed value, which is the same rate as 2020
8 years
The renewal period would begin in 2027 and last through 2034
63.3%
of the surveyed community supported referendum renewal in 2026 survey
Six Years of Measurable Results
In June 2020, 61.3% of Bartholomew County voters approved BCSC's operating referendum. Since then, the investment has delivered clear, data-driven results across every key area of focus. All six goals established for the referendum are being met or exceeded.
94%
Staff retention
Staff retention from 2024–25 to 2025–26 gained more than 4 percentage points since the referendum's approval.
+11pts
childhood literacy
IREAD scores increased from 80% in 2021 to a projected 91% in 2026.
+17pts
Graduation Rate
The high school graduation rate increased from 81% in 2021 to a projected 98% in 2026.
Great Teachers, Strong Student Outcomes
Competitive Teacher Pay
Referendum funds allow BCSC to offer competitive salaries that attract and retain talented educators in an increasingly competitive hiring market across Indiana.
STEM for Every Student
Every BCSC elementary school now has a dedicated STEM lab, ensuring K–6 students have access to engaging, hands-on STEM activities led by certified educators.
School Safety Personnel
11 new School safety personnel have been hired, including new School Safety Officers in addition to previously hired School Resource Officers—expanding our commitment to ensuring every student learns in a safe and secure environment.
Updated Bus Fleet
Referendum resources have supported updates to the district's bus fleet and helped recruit and retain bus drivers — a critical workforce challenge statewide.
Financial Impact
What It Means for Taxpayers
The 2026 renewal holds the tax rate flat at $0.156 per $100 of assessed value — the same rate voters approved in 2020 — while lowering the total levy over the life of the referendum. The dollar amount Bartholomew County property owners pay per year will actually decrease over time.
$0.156
Maximum Tax Rate
Per $100 of assessed value — identical to the 2020 rate. No increase.
$9.5M
Avg. Annual Levy
Lower than the amount collected in 2026, reducing overall expense to taxpayers.
$10.1M
Maximum Annual Levy
The proposed renewal caps annual collections below current levels.
Community Survey
What the Community Said
Early in 2026, BCSC surveyed the community through a company called School Perceptions to gather input related to the potential renewal of the 2020 operating referendum. This feedback plays an important role in guiding our decisions about the renewal.
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.
Watch the full presentation
Here's a video of the March 2, 2026 school board work session reviewing the results of the survey.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an operating referendum?
- How are referendum funds used?
- What is a referendum renewal, and why is it needed now?
- What happens if the referendum is NOT renewed?
- Will my taxes go up if this passes?
- Who can vote on the referendum?
- How can I get involved or learn more?
What is an operating referendum?
An operating referendum is a vote by eligible taxpayers to allow a school corporation to levy additional property taxes beyond standard state-set limits. Indiana fully implemented property tax caps in 2010, which reduced revenue to local governments. The Indiana legislature responded by creating a referendum process that allows schools to request additional funding directly from voters.
How are referendum funds used?
Every dollar collected through the operating referendum goes directly toward people and programs that impact students in the classroom. Operating referendum funds can only be used for day-to-day costs like staff compensation, programs, and student safety. Referendum funds at BCSC are not used for construction, bond payments, administrative salaries, or capital projects.
What BCSC referendum funds ARE used for:
✅ Staff compensation ✅ Programs ✅ Student safety
What BCSC referendum funds ARE NOT used for:
🚫 School construction 🚫 Bond payments 🚫 Administrator salaries 🚫 Capital projects
What is a referendum renewal, and why is it needed now?
State law limits an operating referendum to eight years before a school district must return to voters to renew it. BCSC's 2020 referendum will expire in 2028. Indiana also allows districts to place a renewal on the ballot during the last two years of the current referendum period — which is now. Recent changes by state lawmakers restrict referendums to even-numbered general elections only, making November 2026 the earliest available opportunity.
What happens if the referendum is NOT renewed?
If voters do not approve the renewal in November 2026, the current 2020 referendum will continue collecting until 2028 — then expire. At that point, BCSC would lose approximately $9.5–10.5 million in annual funding. This would require significant reductions in teacher and staff compensation, elimination of School Safety Officers, and a rollback of the student outcome improvements achieved since 2020.
Will my taxes go up if this passes?
No — at least not as a result of this referendum. The proposed renewal maintains the same tax rate of $0.156 per $100 of assessed value as the 2020 referendum. The total levy is actually projected to be lower on average - due to property tax reform - ($9.5M annually) compared to the current referendum's collections (approximately $10.5M in 2026). For the owner of a $250,000 median home, the estimated additional tax attributable to the referendum will actually decrease from about $182/year currently to approximately $149/year by 2034.
NOTE: BCSC is not the only taxing entity responsible for setting the tax levy. Other entities, like police, fire, libraries, or cities and towns may increase or decrease their levies, which could cause fluctuations in your property tax bill.
Who can vote on the referendum?
Any registered voter who resides within Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation boundaries may vote on the referendum as part of the November 3, 2026 general election. You do not need to be a parent, homeowner, or BCSC employee to vote. Visit the Indiana Secretary of State's website at in.gov/sos/elections to check your registration status or register to vote.
How can I get involved or learn more?
Attend the upcoming school board meeting on June 15, 2026—this is open to the public. You can also review the full referendum results update presentation, the proposed referendum budget, and the ballot question presentation listed within the "Resources" section linked above.
Further questions can be directed to Superintendent Chad Phillips at bcscsupt@bcsc.k12.in.us or by calling 812-378-3887.
Board Process
Path to the November Ballot
State law requires three Board actions before a referendum question can be placed on the ballot. Community members are encouraged to attend any of these public meetings.
Monday, April 27, 2026
Administration Presents Renewal Recommendation
BCSC Superintendent Chad Phillips presents the formal recommendation to renew the 2020 operating referendum through 2034 at a rate not exceeding $0.156 per $100 of assessed value. Board members receive the proposed ballot language and supporting data. This is the first of three required actions.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Board Considers Authorizing Tax Impact Calculation
The Board will consider authorizing BCSC Administrators to submit proposed tax information to the Bartholomew County Auditor for calculation of the median home price impact, which will appear on the official ballot question.
Monday, June 15, 2026
Board Adopts Resolution to Renew the Referendum Levy
This is the final Board action — adoption of a formal resolution renewing the referendum tax levy, including the approved ballot question language and the associated spending plan. Once adopted, the question is certified for the November ballot.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Bartholomew County Voters Decide
Eligible voters in Bartholomew County will cast ballots on the referendum renewal question during the general election. A "yes" vote renews the referendum through 2034. State law restricts referendums to even-numbered general elections.
Resources
Documents & Links
📅 2026 Referendum Tax Calculator
Find out how the renewal would impact your property tax bill.
📈 2020 Referendum Results Update
Full board presentation from April 27, 2026, including impact & goal progress
📑 Proposed Budget & Ballot Question
Renewal board presentation from April 27, 2026
📊 Referendum Budget Statement
Updated April 2026
🎯 2020 Referendum Goals & Targets
Current progress of all six performance goals
💻 Fiscal Sense Video Series
An explainer on Indiana School Finance
Why This Renewal Matters
Learning About Indiana School Finance
BCSC created a video series called Fiscal Sense with the intent of helping taxpayers and voters understand the complexities of how schools are funded. Each video in this series focuses on one of four funding streams for Indiana schools, how that money is collected by BCSC, and how it's distributed.