Silver Creek Schools face capacity crunch—and a potential 44% tax hike is on the ballot

SELLERSBURG, Ind. (WDRB) -- Silver Creek Schools said it needs more space—and fast. But the solution could cost taxpayers big.

Voters in the district will decide Tuesday whether to approve a nearly $63 million referendum that would fund new construction and upgrades across the district. If it passes, property owners could see their taxes rise by as much as 44%.

The special election has sparked strong reactions in Sellersburg, where signs urging residents to "vote no" are posted throughout neighborhoods. But while opposition is visible, many residents are hesitant to speak out publicly.

“Gonna hurt a lot, a lot of people,” one resident, who didn't want to go on camera, told WDRB.

Some community members told WDRB off-camera and via text messages that they fear retaliation for opposing the referendum. One woman even said she’s worried she’ll have to sell her home if the tax hike goes through.

“We do not want the increase,” she said. “There’s got to be another way that they can get the money to do what they want to do.”

If approved, the referendum would raise about $63 million over the next 25 years. The district said the money would be used to build a new school, add classrooms, and renovate existing facilities.

For a home valued at $250,000, the increase would amount to roughly $520 more per year in property taxes.

“There’s a lot of people in this area where I’m living right now that are retired, on social security, fixed income, and they just cannot afford that type of a tax increase,” she said.

This is not the district's first major investment. A $100 million project already underway has included updates to athletic fields and significant renovations at the high school.

John Colburn, a vocal opponent of the referendum, criticized the school board’s financial decisions.

“I wanted to express the magnitude of our discontent with how the current board has managed the money and how they are trying to push this community into a very expensive and short-term solution,” Colburn said.

Of the nearly 13,000 registered voters in the district, more than 700 have already cast early ballots.

Silver Creek Middle School is one of the polling locations open for Tuesday’s vote. For a full list, click here.

WDRB reached out to the superintendent for comment but has not yet received a response.

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