Tri‑Creek leaders warn of multimillion‑dollar property‑tax losses under state law; November 2026 referendum proposed

Superintendent Dr. Anderson told the board the district faces large, multi‑year operations‑fund shortfalls due to changes in state law (identified in the meeting as Senate Enrolled Act 1, signed 04/15/2025). He said the district expects an immediate tax‑credit loss of about $2,045,000 when the law began to affect rolls and that estimates show losses could approach roughly $2,627,000 at a future 'watermark.' The superintendent said those funds pay for operations (transportation, custodial, maintenance, some technology) and that 80% of operations costs are driven by market prices out of the district’s direct control.

"This referendum is not asking for anything above and beyond our current status quo. It is to maintain bus service," the superintendent said, urging the community to attend town halls and consider a November 2026 referendum. He described potential automatic cuts the board is preparing to notify the state about, including termination of bus services effective August 2028 and dissolution of many sports and clubs effective August 2027, unless new revenue is secured. He framed those steps as legally required notices and planning actions rather than immediate service cancellations.

Board members and staff discussed the magnitude of possible cuts and the district’s prior 2023 referendum defeat; the superintendent emphasized that the district has already eliminated positions (the transcript referenced 34 positions removed since 2023) and that further reductions would force cuts to items closely tied to student safety and classroom support.