SCS Superintendent implores community for referendum support

Shelbyville Central Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance devoted plenty of time in September discussing the school system’s first ever referendum that is on the November ballot.

Shelbyville is one of 38 school systems across the state, all varying in enrollment size, with referendums on the state ballot.

SCS has spent the past two years trying to quell the financial problems that were coming due to SEA 1 – property tax reform that will produce less funding for public schools – and declining enrollment.

Vance believes he has done his best to inform the community of the need for a referendum, but he admits he has no idea whether it will be passed or not.

“That’s not an easy decision,” said Vance (photo) at Wednesday’s meeting. “I can’t speak for anyone else, but I don’t think there is a school board or a superintendent that wants to be in a referendum. It’s not what we want to do.”

Public question No. 3 on the ballot will address the referendum.

“Shall Shelbyville Central Schools increase property taxes paid to the school corporation for no more than 8 years for the purpose of funding and maintaining current educational and operational programs in response to the reductions in property tax revenue, including student transportation, maintaining class sizes, school safety, and recruiting and retaining staff, by imposing a property tax rate that does not exceed $0.22 and results in a maximum annual amount that does not exceed $3,606,064. If this operating referendum public question is approved by the voters, for a median residence of $200,000, this property’s annual property tax bill would increase by $191 per year.”

The referendum is not an indictment that SCS was unprepared for looming financial difficulties. Over the last two years, SCS has saved $2 million by eliminating certified positions through attrition. And 23 employees were reduced from full-time to part-time.

Vance stressed terminating employees was not considered.

“For a long time, this district has been very frugal and very responsible with taxpayers’ money,” said Vance. “That has not stopped. We knew the legislation was coming so we started making moves to save.”

Without the referendum passing, Vance expects the school system’s Education Fund, which covers teachers’ salaries, benefits, and instructional aides, and the Operations Fund that handles facilities and transportation costs will be significantly affected.

In 2017, SCS’ total enrollment was 3,917. In February of 2026, that enrollment was down to 3,593 – a decline of 324 students.

“We get about $7,500 per student as of right now,” said Vance. “Even though our enrollment has gone down, our needs for our students has increased. A lot of our students have special needs in ways we have to accommodate. It’s very important for our children. That comes with extra costs sometimes.”

Without the referendum passing, transportation policies and overall class sizes will change.

The additional property tax money would not start accruing in an account for SCS until January of 2027.

SCS will not have access to those funds until June of 2027, according to Vance.

For more information on the referendum, go to the SCS website at https://www.scs.shelbycs.org/page/referendum

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