After weeks of presentations to groups across the district, Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ top two officials made their referendum case again Monday night at Hub & Spoke.
The crowd was small, but the questions were plentiful.
Superintendent Dr. Matt Kegley and Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown covered enrollment, budgets and tax rates. Much of the discussion centered on the wording voters will see on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The format of that language is set by state law. HSE’s question asks voters to replace the operating referendum approved in 2023 with a new one lasting up to eight years. The new referendum would carry a maximum rate of 36 cents per $100 of assessed value. The ballot also states that for a median residence of $400,000, the annual tax bill would rise by $700 per year.
District officials say that figure reflects the maximum rate, which HSE does not plan to charge at the start. Under the rate schedule presented to the school board in May, the referendum rate would begin at 22.1 cents in 2027. It would then rise about 6 percent a year, reaching roughly 33 cents by 2034. The district projects the median homeowner would pay about $3 more per month on the 2027 tax bill.
HSE’s current referendum rate is 19.95 cents. District leaders say they would not be seeking a higher rate if not for Senate Enrolled Act 1, the 2025 state property tax overhaul. They estimate the law will cost HSE roughly $45 million in planned revenue over the remaining years of the current referendum. The district eliminated nearly 60 positions earlier this year.
Enrollment trends were also part of the conversation. Kindergarten numbers are falling, while upper-grade enrollment remains relatively steady. Kegley said HSE is seeing more new students enroll at the middle school level. He believes many young families can’t afford homes in the district when their children are small, but are able to buy in by the time those children reach middle school.
Kegley also pointed to a national decline in birth rates. He said Westfield Washington Schools is the only Hamilton County district with growing overall enrollment.
Fishers resident Judy Knafel said she arrived understanding why the district is seeking the referendum but wanted a clearer picture of the numbers.
“I learned that the ballot language was confusing, and this was very helpful in making me understand what the ‘actual’ is versus the ballot language,” Knafel said.
She plans to vote yes.
HSE is one of five Hamilton County school districts with operating referendums on the Nov. 3 ballot. Early voting continues through Monday, Nov. 2.