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Highland board approves financial feasibility study as trustees debate referendum transparency
Summary
The School Town of Highland board hired Policy Analytics for a financial feasibility study to model property-tax and revenue scenarios; trustees and public commenters debated transparency and the study's role ahead of possible referendum years 2026–2032.
The School Town of Highland board on March 17 authorized a financial feasibility study to model property-tax impacts and long-term revenue scenarios, a step trustees described as essential before considering any future referendum.
The board approved a letter of engagement with Policy Analytics to perform a comprehensive analysis of property-tax and revenue projections using district operating and bond funds. Superintendent Dr. Smith and other trustees said the study will provide a 10-year roadmap for decisions about whether and when to seek voter approval for additional funding.
"This is going to give us a really clear picture…whether we do referendum or not," a trustee said, calling the study the district’s roadmap for planning. Board members noted state funding changes and the mechanics of Indiana’s referendum timing — under current rules districts may only run certain referendums in specific years — as factors the study must account for.
At the public-comment period, resident Greg Baldrick urged greater transparency around that planning. "I'm not against the referendum per se, but what I'm against is a lack of transparency," Baldrick said, asking who serves on advisory committees such as the Sports Hall of Fame panel and asking the board to share information openly with the community.
Trustees responded that the study will reflect current law and available data and that its findings are intended to be shared with residents before any decision to pursue a referendum. The board voted to approve the engagement; the administration did not specify the final vote tally during the meeting.
The board instructed staff to move forward with the contract and said the feasibility report will inform discussions about timing, options and any community outreach required should a referendum be recommended.
Next steps: the district will work with Policy Analytics on the scope and schedule for the study and update the board and public as results become available.
