Following the official count day of Oct. 1, Shelbyville Central Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance informed the school board Monday that enrollment has decreased once again.
The total number of students in the SCS system is 3,582 – down 13 students from the same time in 2025. Vance said he anticipated the number being 3,575 so the news was encouraging.
The Oct. 1 count also includes 43 virtual school students in the SCS system.
Vance continues to refer to the 2016-2017 school year as the high point for enrollment. The total number of students that year was 3,917 meaning SCS is down 335 students in the last 10 years.
With government support of public schools waning, the school board has put a referendum on the November ballot seeking public assistance with looming financial concerns.
Public question No. 3 on the ballot asks city residents for a property tax rate increase that does not exceed $0.22 which would provide the school system with potentially $3.6 million annually for the next eight years.
Over the last two years, SCS has saved $2 million by eliminating certified positions through attrition. Without the referendum assistance, the school system would have to make tough decisions on transportation policies and staffing needs as classroom numbers would grow.
Shelbyville is one of 38 school systems across the state with referendums on the state ballot.
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