LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A proposed tax hike to improve Silver Creek Schools has some Sellersburg residents upset.

It was standing room only at a community meeting Wednesday evening held in opposition of the referendum that would increase property taxes in Sellersburg.

Silver Creek School Corporation is proposing a property tax increase of more than 44% for homeowners and nearly 33% for business owners.

The district said the tax hikes will fund upgrades at some of its facilities.

Here's what district leaders want to do: add more classrooms at the primary school, build a new school with the potential for expansion and renovate the elementary school.

Second and third grade students would go in the new building. The elementary school would then house fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Seventh and eighth grade students would be in the middle school building.

The district said the upgrades will address the capacity issues it's currently facing, allowing for potential growth in the future.

People who attended the meeting said a 44% tax hike is just too much.

"We have a large population in this community that is on a fixed income, and when you start increasing their property taxes, just for them to be able to live, they need to know the facts, they need to have an opportunity to say no," John Colburn said.

One business owner said he'd get hit with the tax twice. He said if this passes, he'll lose customers.

"I've got two kids that go to Silver Creek schools," Jordan Dattilo said. "I want to see all kids succeed and the school system thrive, but I can't afford it, honestly. I mean, we would price ourselves out of business where they could go over to New Albany or Jeffersonville and get the same products for less because they can swing a cheaper price."

The referendum is on the ballot come May 6 for voters to vote for or against.

There were a few board members who attended the meeting Wednesday, but they didn't want to do an interview with WDRB.

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