Referendum Resources

What is a referendum?

A school tax levy referendum is a ballot question that asks a community to increase its own taxes to provide adequate resources, hire and retain teachers and staff, or ensure safe and updated facilities. Indiana has three types of referendums: operating, safety, and construction.

Why are so many school districts putting a referendum on the ballot?

Despite it being the duty of the legislature to provide public education for all Hoosier students, state funding for school operating expenses is not keeping up with inflation, and with local funds capped and primarily used for transportation and facilities, over a third of Indiana’s nearly 300 school districts have put more than 270 education referendums on local ballots since 2009. This defunding is a choice, not an accident. Learn more here.

“The Referendum Wave Is Coming – What Communities Need To Know”

ICPE held a webinar about school referenda with a panel of experts on May 6, 2026. You can watch that recording below.

Guest panelists:

Joel Hand, General Counsel and Lobbyist for ICPE. Presentation slides
Robin Winston, Winston/Terrell Group. Slides and example of messaging
Erik Long, Partner, Ice Miller. Legal Dos and Don’ts
Kevin Carr, Avon Community Schools. Successful referendum presentation
Amber Toole, Northwest Allen County public schools. Referendum loss, lessons learned presentation
Emily Callahan Brown County Superintendent. Lessons learned (see video)