Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance statement following a failed referendum for Shelbyville Central

Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 9:25 PM

By Johnny McCrory

Shelbyville Central Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance offered the following statement regarding the failure of a referendum to fund the school system:

Tonight, the voters of our community have made their decision, and we respect that decision. While the outcome may not have been what we hoped for, I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to learn about our referendum, ask questions, share information, and participate in the election.

I am incredibly proud of our students, staff, and community, and I remain confident in the future of Shelbyville Central Schools. However, I also want to be honest about what this outcome means. Without the additional funding provided through the referendum, we will be faced with difficult financial decisions. We will have to make additional cuts, programs and services will be impacted, and ultimately, our students will feel the effects of those decisions. These are not decisions we take lightly, and we will do everything possible to minimize the impact on our students and staff.

As we move forward, we will continue to carefully evaluate our financial position, make responsible decisions, and explore every opportunity to preserve the educational experiences and opportunities our students deserve. We will also likely need to prepare for another referendum in the future as we continue working to maintain the programs and services that are important to our students, staff, and community.

Although tonight's outcome presents significant challenges, it does not change who we are or what we believe is possible for our students. Our commitment to providing the best possible educational opportunities remains unwavering.

The referendum was about funding, but our commitment to students has never been dependent on the outcome of an election.

Thank you for your continued support of Shelbyville Central Schools. Our work continues, our commitment remains, and our students will always be our priority.