2026 Referendum Renewal Frequently Asked Questions

A: On July 7, 2026, the locally elected MSD of Decatur Township Board of Education approved a resolution to place an operating referendum question on the November 3, 2026, General Election Ballot.

If approved by voters, the referendum would replace the district’s current voter-approved operating referendum, which expires at the end of 2027. The proposed referendum would establish a new maximum referendum tax rate not to exceed $0.2690.

The current maximum referendum rate is $0.2890. The proposed maximum rate would be lower than the current maximum approved rate.

A: No. The proposed referendum would not be an additional referendum tax on top of the current voter approved referendum.

If approved by voters, it would replace the current operating referendum with a new referendum rate not to exceed $0.2690. The current referendum is set to expire at the end of 2027.

A: The current operating referendum was approved by voters in 2019 and is scheduled to expire at the end of 2027. Due to changes in Indiana law, school district referendum questions may only appear on the ballot during fall general elections in even numbered years.

Because of that timing requirement, the district is placing the referendum question on the ballot in 2026 rather than waiting until 2027.

A: The referendum question will appear on the November 3, 2026, General Election Ballot.

All registered voters who live within the MSD of Decatur Township boundaries will have the opportunity to vote on the question.

A: Registered voters who live within the boundaries of MSD of Decatur Township may vote in the referendum.

Residents can check their voter registration status, register to vote, and find their polling location through the Indiana Voter Portal.

A: If approved by voters, the referendum would take effect beginning with the 2027 budget and tax year and extend 8 years total.

A: MSD of Decatur Township is facing several financial pressures that affect the district’s ability to maintain current operations and services.

These include:

• An anticipated annual revenue loss of approximately $3 million due to Senate Enrolled Act 1 and House Enrolled Act 1454.  
• Rising operating costs caused by inflation, including increases in transportation, utilities, staffing, maintenance, instructional materials, and student services.  
• A lower local tax base compared to many other school districts. MSD of Decatur Township’s net assessed value per student is 41.5 percent lower than many other Marion County school corporations and 17.6 percent below the state average.  
• The expiration of the current voter approved operating referendum at the end of 2027.

Together, these factors have created a growing funding gap for district operations.

A: If approved, referendum funds would help support essential district operations, including:

• Student transportation
• Utilities
• Building maintenance
• School safety
• Student well-being services  
• Programs and services that support student learning

The referendum is an operating referendum, which means funds are intended to support the ongoing costs of operating schools.

A: The 2019 voter approved operating referendum was used to support essential district operations, including student transportation, electricity, building maintenance, and student and staff safety.

Since the referendum was approved, the district has continued to use referendum funds to help maintain core services while managing rising costs and changes in school funding.

A: The current maximum referendum rate approved by voters is $0.2890. However, MSD of Decatur Township has not levied the full amount authorized by voters in recent years.

The district has consistently lowered the actual referendum tax rate since 2023 and currently levies a rate of $0.2277. By choosing not to levy the full approved amount, the district has collected $6,795,408 less in property taxes than it was authorized to collect.

A: The proposed maximum referendum rate would not exceed $0.2690.

This is lower than the current voter approved maximum rate of $0.2890.

A: Yes. MSD of Decatur Township has taken several steps to reduce costs, manage debt, and use taxpayer resources responsibly.

Examples include:

• Reducing the district’s debt service tax rate from $0.91 in 2021 to $0.57 in 2026.  
• Reducing outstanding debt by $133,844,564 since 2011 while also adding a Career Center and renovating Decatur Township School for Excellence, Lynwood Elementary, and Valley Mills Elementary.  
• Refinancing existing debt to reduce interest costs.  
• Participating in an insurance trust to reduce healthcare costs.  
• Establishing two employee health and wellness clinics.  
• Upgrading lighting throughout the district to more energy efficient LED systems.  
• Using federal ESSER funds to upgrade building controls, boilers, and chillers for more efficient heating and cooling.  
• Participating in cooperative purchasing for natural gas and school bus purchases.  
• Maintaining operating cash reserves and a Rainy Day Fund.  
• Having district finances reviewed by the Indiana State Board of Accounts.

The district’s 2026 budget is $98,086,975.

MSD of Decatur Township was also the only school district in Marion County that reduced its total budget from 2025 to 2026.

A: Transportation is a significant operational responsibility for MSD of Decatur Township.

Approximately 72 percent of students rely on buses for transportation to and from school each day. The district also transports more than 1,100 students each week for co curricular and extracurricular activities and events.

District buses travel more than 4,500 miles per day.

A: Since 2021, electricity costs have increased by 19.4 percent, and maintenance costs have increased by 28.7 percent.

MSD of Decatur Township maintains 20 buildings totaling more than 1.8 million square feet and nearly 377 acres throughout the district.

To help manage these costs, the district has upgraded lighting to energy efficient LED systems and used federal ESSER funds to improve building controls, boilers, and chillers.

A: Safety is one of the district’s highest priorities. MSD of Decatur Township invests in a comprehensive approach to school safety, including the Decatur Township School Police Department and school resource officers.

The district employs the Decatur Township School Police, including a Chief and several school resource officers. These officers support school safety and also serve as public safety educators, informal counselors, and mentors for students.

Funds would also be utilized to support safety infrastructure and policies such as camera system updates, software, and equipment.

A: The district provides student support services through staff and community partnerships.

MSD of Decatur Township employs resource personnel, including Communities in Schools Site Coordinators, who help support attendance, behavior, interventions, small groups, and connections to family resources.

The district also partners with Square One to provide mental health services to students and works with community based organizations such as the Goodwin Center, Decatur Township Drug Free Coalition, and Excel Center.

A: Legislative changes (House Enrolled Act 1454 & Senate Enrolled Act 1) made in 2023 & 2025 have significantly reduced funding while historical levels of inflation increased expenses over the past 5 years for Decatur Township schools.

A: 

• Initial estimates from the developer indicate the school district and township could receive an increase in tax revenue each year.
• However, it is likely that a new TIF district will be created to fund the expansion of Ameriplex Parkway which would include the data center. If this occurs, the district would only receive data center taxes on the baseline assessed value of the current empty land and referendum taxes. Any additional tax revenue generated by new development would likely be diverted into a special fund to pay for local improvements.

A: Public schools are connected to the overall strength and stability of a community. MSD of Decatur Township serves students and families throughout the township, supports local employment, maintains public facilities, and helps prepare students for college, careers, military service, and participation in the local workforce.

The referendum would affect local property taxes, so all residents are encouraged to review the information, understand the proposed tax rate, and make an informed decision.

A: This proposed referendum is an operating referendum. Operating referendum funds are used for ongoing district expenses such as transportation, utilities, maintenance, safety, student services, staffing, and educational programs.

A: If the referendum does not pass, the current voter approved operating referendum would still expire at the end of 2027. The district would need to evaluate how to address the loss of referendum revenue along with the anticipated revenue reductions from recent state legislation and continued cost increases.

Potential decisions could involve reductions in staffing, educational programs, student services, transportation, maintenance, and safety investments. Specific decisions would be determined by the School Board and district administration through the public budget process.

A: Residents are encouraged to review the information provided on the referendum webpage, watch available district presentations, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, follow us on Facebook, and contact the Superintendent, Dr. Scott Collins, with questions: 317-856-5265 or scollins@decaturproud.org.