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2026 Operating Referendum

Collage of MCAS students

 

Thank you for visiting the Michigan City Area Schools 2026 Operating Referendum information page. And thank you for making the Michigan City Area Schools your choice for public education.

At Michigan City Area Schools, we are committed to Maximizing Community and Students by providing excellent educational opportunities while being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources and protecting property values.

For several years, MCAS has carefully reviewed and evaluated district operations, streamlined administrative costs, reorganized staffing, pursued grants and community partnerships, and implemented operational efficiencies to maximize available resources while protecting students and classrooms. These efforts have helped the district responsibly manage financial challenges and continue providing the services our students and families rely on.

The locally elected School Board has approved seeking community support for a proposed 2026 Operating Referendum. Like many districts across Indiana, MCAS is facing new financial challenges. Recent changes to Indiana's school funding system, including SEA 1, combined with declining enrollment, property tax caps, and rising operational costs, have changed the district's long-term financial outlook.

If approved by voters, this operating referendum would continue to support: 

  • Student Programs and Services
  • Transportation
  • School Safety
  • Recruitment and Retention of High-Quality Educators and Staff
  • Student Behavior and Health Services
  • Essential Daily Operations

This page is your central source for information about the proposed Operating Referendum. Here, you can learn about the proposal, how public schools are funded, the financial factors affecting Michigan City Area Schools, and the potential impact on our residents, schools, and community. We encourage you to explore the resources, review the frequently asked questions, and attend a community meeting to learn more.

Superintendent's Message

At Michigan City Area Schools, "Maximizing Community and Students" reflects our commitment to creating opportunities that benefit both our students and the community we serve. Together, we are a diverse community of residents, students, staff, businesses, and community partners who take pride in our schools, contribute positively to society, and prepare students for lifelong success.

Maximizing Community and Students Graphic

Thank you for your continued support of Michigan City Area Schools and for the many ways you help shape the experiences offered in our schools each day. Whether through being a taxpayer, volunteering, mentoring, attending events, supporting our students, or partnering with our schools. Your involvement helps create meaningful opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and succeed.

A flyer announces community meetings for the 2026 referendum campaign, featuring a graduation photo in the background and details about meeting dates, times, and topics in the foreground.

YOU MAY BE WONDERING

2026 REFERENDUM PRESENTATION

A logo with a lighthouse and figures stands above bold text announcing %22Securing Our Future%22 and details about a financial referendum for Michigan City Area Schools, dated June 2026.
A legislative squeeze, represented by a clamp, narrows a cone labeled with years from 2025 to 2031, leading to a locked padlock, while text boxes above detail the impact of SEA-1 on the local tax base.
A bar graph shows a steady increase in tax cap losses from 2016 to 2026, with accompanying text boxes detailing circuit breaker and homestead residential credits.
A graphic lists services funded by %22The Operations Fund: Keeping Schools Running Safely%22 on the left, with a graduation cap and a disclaimer about classroom instruction on the right.
A comparative tax burden matrix in the foreground shows MCAS with the lowest tax rate of $0.8241, while Duneland, Valparaiso, LaPorte, and Portage are displayed above it with higher rates, all set against a white background with a title about operating leaner than peers.
A framed infographic highlights 25 total positions reduced and over $2 million saved in salary and benefits, with text above detailing proactive stewardship actions.
Three downward-pointing arrows labeled %22Force 1,%22 %22Force 2,%22 and %22Force 3%22 converge on a text box stating that external legislative forces have outpaced internal efficiency, all set against a dark blue background with a metallic grid pattern.
A draft ballot language about a property tax increase is presented in the foreground, with a %22MISLEADING%22 label and explanation in the background.
A dark blue background with white text contrasts two scenarios for a November referendum, with the left side detailing negative consequences if it fails and the right side outlining positive outcomes if it succeeds.
A line graph shows projected total liability for taxpayers with and without a referendum, with the referendum's impact illustrated by a widening gap of net taxpayer savings in the background.
A graphic explains why money cannot be moved from other funds for schools, showing fund restrictions, enrollment impact, and two options for addressing revenue loss, with a lock and government building in the foreground and text and icons in the background.
A white box in the foreground details a modest monthly investment for homestead taxpayers, while the background displays text about transparent taxpayer impact and community and student costs.
A silver arrow pointing upwards over a cluster of schools and text about a statewide referendum surge, with a dark blue background and a grey bar at the bottom detailing potential cuts.
In the foreground, a grid of seven boxes displays statistics about MCAS's return on investment, while the background is a dark blue solid color with the title %22MCAS Return on Investment: Excellence Worth Protecting%22 at the top.
Three pillars representing academic, educationally related, and safety programs are displayed in the foreground, with a title and funding breakdown in the background.
A large blue arrow points downwards in the foreground, listing potential negative consequences of inaction on funding, while the background displays the title %22The Crossroads: The Cost of Inaction%22 and a subtitle about devastating cuts.
A graphic highlights %22Transparent Taxpayer Impact%22 with a calculation showing a $48 total impact over 8 years, equating to %22$0.50 a month.%22
A timeline graphic titled %22The Referendum Runway: Mapping Our Path to November%22 displays four chevron-shaped stages detailing the process from analysis and development to election day, with each stage outlining key actions and dates.
A logo with a lighthouse and two figures in the foreground is next to the words %22MAXIMIZING COMMUNITY AND STUDENTS%22 in the background.
A slide titled %22What Have We Done to Reduce Expenses?%22 lists five bullet points with icons, including a handshake and a document, against a white background with a blue title and a small logo in the bottom right corner.
A graphic outlines the impact of a $4,000,000 annual reduction on transportation, student support, academic programs, and operations, with icons representing each category.
A collage of images shows smiling graduates in the foreground and a street scene with a crowd in the background.
MCAS Summer Connections Graphic
Understanding School Finance Graphic

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

VOTER INFORMATION

If you'd like to schedule a referendum meeting for your group or organization, you can submit a request below.

Request to meet with Dr. McCollum