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Ballot question

Hamilton Southeastern Schools (Local Public Question)

On the ballot in
Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Vote
Yes or no
Election
Nov 3, 2026

The question, as printed on the ballot

Shall the Hamilton Southeastern Schools increase property taxes paid to the school corporation for no more than eight (8) years for the purpose of funding the HSE Referendum Program by (1) repealing the existing referendum fund tax levy extended in 2023, and (2) replacing the existing referendum fund tax levy with a new referendum fund tax levy which will provide funding for (a) the salary and benefits of approximately 275 staff members, (b) the behavioral health contract that supports therapists in our school buildings with essential mental health support during the school day, (c) the shared salaries and benefits of school resource officers, (d) the salary and benefits of the Director of School Safety, (e) the salaries and benefits of traffic control and after school event security, and (f) the purchase of safety and security supplies and equipment by imposing a property tax rate that does not exceed $0.3600 and results in a maximum annual amount that does not exceed $47,500,000. If this operating referendum public question is approved by the voters, for a median residence of $400,000, the property's annual property bill would increase by $700 per year. The most recent operating referendum public question proposed by the school corporation was held in 2023 and passed.

A “Yes” vote means

Replaces HSE's 2023 operating referendum with a levy of up to $0.36 per $100 of assessed value (at most $47.5 million a year) for eight years, for staff, mental health and safety.

A “No” vote means

The replacement levy is not approved; HSE keeps the operating referendum voters extended in 2023, under its existing terms.

Official plain English statement

Hamilton Southeastern Schools asks voters to repeal the operating referendum extended in 2023 and replace it with an eight-year levy of up to $0.36 per $100 of assessed value (no more than $47.5 million a year). At the 2027 rate the district expects ($0.2275), its spending plan puts about $29 million toward the salaries and benefits of roughly 275 certified staff, $700,000 toward school-based therapists and $1.6 million toward school safety.

On the ballot as "HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN SCHOOLS" (Local Public Question), for voters in Hamilton Southeastern Schools (Hamilton County). The school board sets the actual rate and spending plan each year; the district projects a $26 increase on the median homeowner's 2027 tax bill.

Sources

The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.