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Zionsville board votes to place eight-year operating referendum on November ballot; officials cite funding shortfall
Summary
The board approved a resolution to place an eight-year operating referendum question on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, citing state funding formula shortfalls and the effects of SEA 1 on local property tax revenue; the board said the proposed ceiling rate would not exceed 0.4128 and projected a maximum levy of $21,463,325.
The Zionsville Community Schools Board on June 8 voted unanimously to place an eight-year operating referendum question on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot, citing funding shortfalls under the state formula and recent legislative changes that affect property-tax revenue.
Superintendent Rebecca Coffman and Chief Financial Officer Regina May outlined the district's four revenue streams — the Education Fund (state-controlled), the Operations Fund (property-tax funded), the Debt Service Fund, and the Operating Referendum Fund (voter-approved). May said the Education Fund formula places Zionsville Community Schools among the lowest-funded districts in Indiana and that the current operating referendum, approved in 2019, expires in December 2027.
CFO May explained how Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1, passed April 2025) will lower certified net assessed valuation through 2031 by changing deductions and adding a Homestead Property Tax Credit after liability is computed; as a result, the district modeled scenarios and identified a maximum rate ceiling of $0.4128, producing a modeled maximum levy of $21,463,325. Using that ceiling as an example, staff estimated an annual property-tax increase of $1,368 for a median $600,000 residence if the referendum were levied at the maximum amount.
Dr. Coffman asked the board to adopt a resolution to place the referendum question on the ballot so the district can sustain current course offerings, specialist positions and class sizes. Board members expressed support and concern about communicating taxpayer impacts under the new law. Mr. Michael Berg moved to approve the Operating Referendum Fund Levy Resolution as presented; Dr. Christy Wessel-Powell seconded. The motion passed 4–0.
Votes at a glance • Consent agenda accepted (motion: accept consent agenda as presented) — Passed 4–0 (SEG 034–035) • Adopt supplemental instructional materials (motion: approve the adoption of the supplemental instructional materials as presented) — Passed 4–0 (SEG 056–057) • Adopt Operating Referendum Fund Levy Resolution to place question on Nov. 3, 2026 ballot — Passed 4–0 (SEG 065–066)
The resolution directs district staff to place the referendum question on the Nov. 3 ballot and to prepare required communications and postings; the board adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
