What does a YES vote on Shelbyville Central Schools mean?

Shelbyville Central Schools would raise property taxes for up to eight years, at a rate of up to $0.22 and no more than $3,606,064 a year, to fund current programs, including transportation, class sizes, school safety and staff retention; a median $200,000 home's yearly tax bill would rise by $191.

What does a NO vote on Shelbyville Central Schools mean?

Shelbyville Central Schools would not raise property taxes for this purpose.

How many votes does Shelbyville Central Schools 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 Shelbyville Central Schools?

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.

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.

Shelbyville Central Schools — Operating Referendum

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:07 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Shelbyville Central Schools school district voters

What it does: Shall Shelbyville Central Schools increase property taxes paid to the school corporation for no more than 8 years for the purpose of funding and maintaining current educational and operational programs in response to reductions in property tax revenue, including student transportation, maintaining class sizes, school safety, and recruiting and retaining staff, by imposing a property tax rate that does not exceed $0.22 and results in a maximum annual amount that does not exceed $3,606,064. If this operating referendum public question is approved by the voters, for a median residence of $200,000, this property's annual property tax bill would increase by $191 per year.
A YES vote means: Shelbyville Central Schools would raise property taxes for up to eight years, at a rate of up to $0.22 and no more than $3,606,064 a year, to fund current programs, including transportation, class sizes, school safety and staff retention; a median $200,000 home's yearly tax bill would rise by $191.
A NO vote means: Shelbyville Central Schools would not raise property taxes for this purpose.
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: Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

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 Board of School Trustees of Shelbyville Central Schools adopted a referendum tax levy resolution on June 15, 2026, stating that based on current revenue calculations for 2027 through 2034 the district 'will not be able to carry out its public educational duty' without a referendum levy of up to $0.22 per $100 of assessed value and $3,606,064 a year.

The district's Revenue Spending Plan estimates the levy would be spent each year on student transportation ($1,500,000), maintaining class sizes ($702,021), recruiting and retaining staff ($702,021) and school safety ($702,021).

The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance approved the ballot language (Findings and Final Determination No. 26-019-REF); the Shelby County Auditor certified a $200,000 median residence and a $191-per-year increase on it.

GIANT fm reported that the board voted 6–0, and that Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance attributed the request to a 'dramatic reduction in local revenue' expected under Senate Enrolled Act 1.

Put on the ballot by Shelbyville Central Schools Board of School Trustees, June 15, 2026 (Referendum Tax Levy Resolution; 6–0 per news report, roll call not in the published resolution); ballot language approved by the Indiana DLGF (No. 26-019-REF).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

In the news

SCS board approves operating referendum for Nov. 3 ballot · GIANT fm, 2026-06-18

See your members of Congress and every race and measure on your ballot in Shelby County, from your address. Your address stays in your browser.Look up my races

Next elections here

2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Shelbyville Central Schools mean?: Shelbyville Central Schools would raise property taxes for up to eight years, at a rate of up to $0.22 and no more than $3,606,064 a year, to fund current programs, including transportation, class sizes, school safety and staff retention; a median $200,000 home's yearly tax bill would rise by $191.
What does a NO vote on Shelbyville Central Schools mean?: Shelbyville Central Schools would not raise property taxes for this purpose.
How many votes does Shelbyville Central Schools 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 Shelbyville Central Schools?: 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.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Shelby County ballot.

See something wrong on this page? Report a problem · Corrections