Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township — Operating Referendum (Marion County)

What it does

Shall the Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township increase property taxes paid to the school corporation for no more than eight (8) years for the purpose of funding the #Decatur Community and School Improvement Program by (1) repealing the existing referendum fund tax levy approved by the voters in 2019, and (2) replacing the existing referendum fund tax levy with a new referendum fund tax levy which will provide funding for student transportation, utility expenses, school safety and security programs, building maintenance and support services by imposing a property tax rate that does not exceed $0.2690 and results in a maximum annual amount that does not exceed $9,000,000. If this operating referendum public question is approved by the voters, for a median residence of $250,000, the property’s annual property tax bill would increase by $306 per year. The most recent operating referendum public question proposed by the school corporation was held in 2019 and passed.

A YES vote means

The Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township would raise property taxes for up to eight years, at a rate of up to $0.2690 and no more than $9,000,000 a year, to fund transportation, utilities, school safety and security, building maintenance and support services, replacing the levy approved in 2019; a median $250,000 home's yearly tax bill would rise by $306.

A NO vote means

Decatur Township would not replace its existing referendum tax with this new levy, and property taxes would not rise under this question.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance received Decatur Township's resolution on July 7, 2026 and approved the ballot language. The question would repeal and replace the operating levy voters approved in 2019.

The district's Revenue Spending Plan estimates $8,300,000 a year at the anticipated $0.2690 rate. It allocates $4,300,000 to student transportation (about 75 bus drivers, monitors and mechanics, plus fuel), $2,050,000 to utilities, $900,000 to building maintenance, $825,000 to safety and security including three school resource officers, and $250,000 to support services.

The plan also projects about $70,769 a year distributed to participating charter schools, based on October 2025 enrollment.

Put on the ballot by MSD of Decatur Township Board of School Trustees, resolution filed with the DLGF July 7, 2026 (board vote date/tally not found in an online official record).

From official source 1, official source 2.

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Also on Marion County ballots

• School City of Beech Grove — Operating Referendum
• Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township — Operating Referendum
• Indianapolis Public Education Corporation — Operating Referendum
• M.S.D. of Washington Township — Operating Referendum (Extension)

All Marion County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township mean?

The Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township would raise property taxes for up to eight years, at a rate of up to $0.2690 and no more than $9,000,000 a year, to fund transportation, utilities, school safety and security, building maintenance and support services, replacing the levy approved in 2019; a median $250,000 home's yearly tax bill would rise by $306.

What does a NO vote on Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township mean?

Decatur Township would not replace its existing referendum tax with this new levy, and property taxes would not rise under this question.

How many votes does Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.