UNDERSTANDING THE TAX IMPACT
The 2026 referendum continues the operating referendum Culver voters first approved in 2018. It is not a brand-new source of school funding. The question is whether to continue referendum funding for another eight years under Indiana's new property-tax system.
WHY DOES THE BALLOT USE A $200,000 HOME?
The actual median home value across the four counties that make up Culver Community Schools is $161,100.
Indiana law requires the median value used on the ballot to be rounded up to the next $50,000. That is why the ballot must show the tax impact on a $200,000 home rather than the actual $161,100 median home.
HOW DOES SEA 1 AFFECT THE REFERENDUM?
Indiana's 2025 property-tax law, SEA 1, created and expanded deductions and credits that reduce property taxes for many property owners.
Deductions reduce a property's net assessed value, or NAV, which is the taxable value used to calculate the property-tax bill. Under SEA 1, several of those deductions phase in over multiple years.
That is good news for taxpayers, but it also means the same referendum tax rate can generate less revenue for Culver Schools as the district's total taxable value declines.
WHY COULD THE RATE CHANGE OVER TIME?
Think of it this way:
Lower taxable value + the same tax rate = less school revenue.
As SEA 1 continues to phase in and lowers NAV, Culver may need to adjust the referendum rate modestly over time simply to keep referendum funding stable and help keep pace with rising operating costs.
That does not mean the maximum rate will automatically be charged. The ballot establishes a ceiling of $0.24 per $100 of assessed value, while the amount needed each year is determined through the annual budgeting and property-tax process.
CONTINUING A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Culver voters approved the current operating referendum in 2018. Since then, referendum funding has helped support teachers and staff, manageable class sizes, student safety, academic programs, preschool, student services, and the opportunities Culver students experience every day.
The 2026 referendum is about continuing that funding in a changing property-tax environment and giving Culver Schools the flexibility to maintain stable funding as SEA 1 is phased in.
CAVS: COMMUNITY. OPPORTUNITY. SUCCESS.
For years, our community has invested in strong schools, talented teachers, student opportunities, safety, and support for local families.
This November, voters will decide whether to continue that commitment.
