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Referendum FAQ

Q: The community approved an initial referendum in 2012 and a renewal in 2019.  Is another renewal required and when will that vote take place?

A: State law limits the duration of a referendum to seven years. The referendum that was renewed in 2019 will expire at the end of 2026.  Should the School Board decide to ask the community to renew the referendum, the vote would likely be in May 2026.

Q: How many Indiana school corporations have sought a public referendum in order to financially support their schools?

A: Over the last decade, 84% of Indiana public school corporations have sought a local referendum in order to provide additional funding for their schools.

Q: Have any other regional school corporations chosen to seek a referendum to financially support their community's public schools?

A: Yes. Many regional communities, such as: Valparaiso, Munster, Crown Point, Lake Central, Hanover, Union Township, Hebron, Hobart, Griffith, and River Forest have all successfully passed a referendum to provide additional funding for their schools.

Q: My tax bill keeps going up.  Is this due to all the construction taking place with the schools?

A: Duneland homeowners are seeing an increase in their tax bills due to their home values going up (5-15% in 2023 & 2024).  The school tax rate has remained flat (0.98-1.08) over the past 20 years.  The school corporation funded the 2021-2024 school construction projects by replacing debt from the financing of the high school in 1999.

Q: I often hear 22 cents mentioned in reference to the amount that the taxpayer pays for the referendum.  What exactly is that 22 cents?

A: In 2012, Duneland voters passed a referendum that resulted in an annual tax collection of up to 22 cents per $100 of assessed value on property. As of 2023, the median home value in the Duneland School Corporation is $265,800.00.  Accounting for standard deductions, the 22 cents results in the homeowner paying $25.96 per month for referendum funding for our schools. 

  • Pursuant to HEA 1260, the standard Homestead deduction has been increased to a maximum of $48,000 with the Mortgage deduction no longer available.  While the supplemental Homestead deduction has also increased, none has been assumed in this calculation as the increase is anticipated to be temporary.