2026 Operating Referendum

If approved by voters on the November 2026 ballot, the four-year referendum will levy a property tax of 37.2 cents per $100 of assessed property value. These dollars will ensure that all families in the IPS boundary have access to a stable, high-quality education. 

The money will support:

• Educator Retention & Compensation: Sustaining competitive teacher and staff pay to ensure classroom stability.
• Student Support Services: Funding for essential programs, including special education services and learning interventions.

For IPS, our operating referendum that was approved by voters in 2018, expires at the end of this year (December 2026). This funding currently provides essential support for teacher compensation and student programming.

Similar to IPS, schools across Indiana are facing budgetary challenges. An unprecedented number of school districts will seek a referendum this fall to bolster their budgets. Changes in state and federal policies, funding reductions, enrollment declines, and cost increases have all contributed to financial hardships for schools in general, including those in the IPS boundary.

We have already cut $24 million from our annual budget this year, but cuts alone won’t be able to fix the district’s budget challenges. Indianapolis schools need the support of our community to continue to provide an excellent education for students.

The property tax dollars collected through the referendum will be divided among all the IPS and public charter schools that students living within the IPS boundary attend. 

IPS advocated for a 55-cent referendum rate, which would have been the amount the district needs to continue operating to support the current model of instructional programming and support, but the IPEC board ultimately landed on a 37-cent referendum. While this raises substantial and important revenue, it means IPS will still need to cut $20 million from its annual budget, on top of the $24 million in cuts already made in 2026.

The IPEC was created by the Indiana Legislature in 2025 to oversee all schools in the IPS boundary, encompassing district, innovation, and charter schools. This nine-member board now has the authority to run future referendums for both district and public charter schools in Indianapolis. 

The IPEC was created to unify the educational landscape in Indianapolis by coordinating resources across both traditional district schools and public charter schools. You can read the law that created this entity here.

Currently, Indianapolis taxpayers pay 19.6 cents per $100 of assessed property value to support Indianapolis Public Schools through the 2018 operating referendum, which will end this year (December 2026). If the 2026 operating referendum is approved, taxpayers will pay a total of 37.2 cents per $100 of assessed property value to support both IPS and public charter schools. 

For example, a homeowner with a house valued at $150,000 would pay about $115 more a year than they’re currently paying for the 2018 operating referendum. If approved, the 2026 operating referendum would replace the 2018 referendum.

Operating Referendum CalculatorEstimate how much your property tax will be

The 2023 Capital Referendum approved by voters was a one-time capital referendum which provided funding for IPS to make major investments in our school buildings and facilities. It was part of the district’s Rebuilding Stronger Initiative. You can read more about the 2023 Capital Referendum here.

The 2026 Operating Referendum that will be on the ballot this fall is about continuing to invest in our youth, driving daily excellence in our classrooms, and ensuring every school in our community can deliver the top-tier services our students deserve.

Unlike previous referendums, the 2026 operating referendum proposal is a community-wide investment. By law, revenue from an operating referendum passed after March 31, 2026, must be shared between IPS and participating public charter schools. Therefore, the funds received through this operating referendum — if approved by voters — will be distributed equally between IPS and public charter schools, ensuring that support reaches students regardless of the school they attend.

IPS has already cut $24 million from our annual budget. If the 2026 Operating Referendum doesn’t pass, we will need to reduce our budget by an additional $40-$45 million annually. 

Without the boost of operating referendum dollars, all schools in the IPS boundary will face a devastating funding deficit starting in 2027. A shortfall like this could lead to staffing freezes, reduced transportation, the potential closure of support programs, and more instability for families and students.