SELLERSBURG, Ind. (WDRB) -- The Silver Creek School Corporation is trying to come up with another plan to pay for school upgrades after residents voted overwhelmingly against a property tax hike to fund it.

More than 90% of voters denied a nearly $63 million referendum in a special election Tuesday that would have raised property taxes to address capacity issues. Had it passed, the referendum would have funded new construction and upgrades across the district by raising taxes for property owners by as much as 44%.

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

According to Angela Cornett, Clark County election administrator, the results were: 3,759 "No" votes and 238 "Yes" votes with a voter turnout of 32.36%.

Superintendent Dr. Chad Briggs said the changes wouldn't have happened until fall of 2028, so they still have some time to figure out what they're going to do next.

"Next steps will be discussed over time," Briggs said in a written statement Wednesday. "Had the referendum passed, it would have been fall of 2028 before any additions or construction would have been completed.

"We have some time to formulate our next plan of action."

The special election sparked strong reactions in Sellersburg, where signs urging residents to "Vote No" are posted throughout neighborhoods. But while opposition was visible, many residents were hesitant to speak out publicly.

Krista Isaacs, who has lived in Sellersburg since 2017 but didn't vote Tuesday, said the tax hike would have been too much to accept.

"We have a lot more expense," she said Wednesday. "Everything has gone up from water, sewer, property taxes ... unbelievable."

A $100 million project already underway included updates to athletic fields and significant renovations at the high school. In the meantime, Isaacs said she's glad voters showed up to the polls, shutting down the tax hike.

"That is a relief that people did go out and vote," she said. "I did not. I should have. But I'm glad people did."

Related Stories:

Voters deny proposed tax hike to address Silver Creek Schools capacity crunch

Silver Creek schools proposes raising property taxes to help pay for school upgrades

Southern Indiana residents voice opposition over Silver Creek School district tax hike

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