Anderson schools’ referendum cleared for November ballot with $2.9 million annual levy request

Indiana’s Department of Local Government Finance has approved Anderson Community School Corporation’s operating referendum for the November 3, 2026, ballot, giving voters a decision on whether to renew the district’s operating tax levy for eight years.

The referendum would cover 2027 through 2034. It would authorize a maximum property-tax rate of $0.1077 per $100 of assessed value and a maximum annual levy of $2,903,078.

What Anderson voters will decide

The Anderson school board adopted the referendum resolution June 8, 2026, and the district submitted the proposed question to DLGF on June 10. The state agency’s final determination approved the language for the November election.

The measure is a renewal of Anderson’s 2018 operating referendum. A yes vote would authorize the district to continue collecting referendum revenue within the approved limits for up to eight years. The rate and levy are maximum authorization limits, not a guarantee that the district will collect the full amount every year.

The certified question says the money would fund daily operational needs and academic and support programs. The district’s revenue-spending plan divides the estimated 2027 amount equally between academic and support programs and operational needs, while noting that the plan may be amended as revenue and district needs change.

Estimated effect on property-tax bills

DLGF’s approved ballot language estimates that rejecting the referendum would reduce the annual tax bill for a median $100,000 residence by $54.

That is the state-certified estimate for the median residence used in the ballot language. Individual tax effects can differ based on assessed value, deductions, exemptions and other components of a property-tax bill.

The $54 figure also should not be read as a guaranteed increase for every property owner if the referendum passes. The question establishes maximum rate and levy authority; actual collections and individual bills may vary.

Why the district says it is seeking renewal

Anderson Community School Corporation’s referendum presentation identifies several financial pressures, including state property-tax changes, required charter-school revenue sharing beginning in 2028, current deficits and rising transportation, utility, fuel and insurance costs.

The presentation says the district currently faces about $6.1 million in annual deficits and projects at least $23.8 million in combined financial impacts over eight years from state property-tax changes and required charter-school revenue sharing. Those are projections presented by the district; they are not described here as an independent audit or final financial finding.

The district says the referendum would help maintain ongoing operations and academic and support services. Its presentation identifies transportation, utilities and insurance, building operations, safety, special services and academic programming among the areas the funding would help support.

What happens next

Anderson voters are scheduled to decide the referendum on November 3, 2026. If approved, the district would proceed under the state-authorized limits and subsequent levy and implementation requirements. If rejected, the district would not receive the referendum authority described in the ballot question, and DLGF’s stated estimate for the median residence would be an annual tax-bill reduction of $54.

The decision before voters is whether to renew Anderson schools’ operating referendum for up to eight years at a maximum rate of $0.1077 per $100 of assessed value and a maximum annual levy of $2,903,078.

Sources

• Indiana DLGF final determination for Anderson Community School Corporation
• Anderson Community School Corporation Resolution No. 2026-20