State legislation is cutting our local funding
Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1) reduces the taxable value used to calculate property tax revenue across Indiana. For West Lafayette Schools, that means our existing 37¢ operating referendum rate — approved by voters and currently generating essential funding — will collect far less over time, even though the rate itself hasn't changed.
West Lafayette is not alone. In response to the State legislation, a record number of schools across Indiana have initiated referendums in 2026.
$8.7M
Projected 2026 revenue at the current 37¢ rate
$6.1M
Projected 2031 revenue at that same rate — a loss of $1.6M a year
99%
of Indiana school districts expect SEA 1 to negatively affect their funding
Why this funding matters
Referendum dollars are not extra — they are foundational. They protect the class sizes, teaching positions, and programming that make a West Lafayette education what it is.
~25%
of the district's total operating budget comes from referendum funds
50+
teachers and staff positions funded directly by the referendum
A history of community support
West Lafayette voters have consistently backed our local schools at the ballot box — voting overwhelmingly in support.
66%
Approval
94%
Approval
80%
Approval
A rate that replaces what we're losing
The referendum on this November's ballot asks for a rate of 57.06¢ — not a new source of revenue, but a replacement for funding SEA 1 is phasing out. The new rate phases in starting in 2027, paralleling the effects of SEA 1, giving taxpayers a gradual transition rather than a sudden jump while keeping school funding steady.
$5.7M
Supporting Teaching
Funds teacher and staff salaries and benefits, keeping class sizes small and preserving the personalized instruction families count on.
$3M
Supporting Learning
Covers building maintenance, transportation, and custodial staff so every student learns in a safe, well-maintained environment.
What if it doesn't pass?
The existing referendum remains in place through 2031, but its revenue will keep shrinking each year under SEA 1. Without a new rate, the district would face difficult budget cuts or would need to draw down its fund balance to protect classrooms. If this referendum does not pass, the next opportunity to place it back on the ballot is November 2028.
Minimal tax impact for property owners
Because of Indiana's property tax circuit breaker and ongoing state property tax reform, the actual effect on any individual tax bill depends on several variables outside the district's control. Depending on your property's assessed value and these statewide factors, your taxes could increase slightly, decrease, or stay about the same.
$680
2026 — under the current referendum rate
$708
2027 — under the proposed 57.06¢ rate
That's an increase of about $28 a year — roughly $2.33 a month — for a home at this value.
Does school quality really affect property values?
Yes. Strong public schools consistently attract families and businesses to a community, which strengthens the local tax base and supports higher home values. Research and real estate data both show that homes in highly rated school districts sell for a premium — meaning the investment families make in local schools comes back to them in the value of their homes.