What's included in the Proposed Plan?
Ballot Question
Shall the Hanover Community School Corporation continue to impose increased property taxes paid to the school corporation by homeowners and businesses for eight (8) years immediately following the holding of the referendum for the purpose of funding current educational and operational related programs including transportation, managing class sizes, retaining teachers, and student safety and school security measures, with the maximum referendum tax rate of $0.29? The property tax increase requested in the referendum was originally approved by the voters in 2015, extended in 2020, and if extended would increase the average property tax paid to the school corporation by 42.33% and if extended will increase the average property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a business property within the school corporation by 42.33%.
Potential Tax Impact
Footnotes
- Homestead parcels are assumed to have homestead and supplemental homestead deductions according to I.C. 6-1.1-20.6-7.7. For 2025, homestead properties are assumed to have a $48,000 homestead deduction and 37.5% supplemental homestead deduction. For 2026, homestead properties are assumed to have a $48,000 homestead deduction and 40.0% supplemental homestead deduction.
- In 2026, it is assumed that 2% properties, agricultural, long-term care and residential rental properties have a 6.0% deduction, per I.C. 6-1.1-12-47. No deductions are assumed for business and business personal property.
- Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA1) 2025 was signed into law on April 15, 2025, and includes several changes impacting property taxes to be phased in through 2031. SEA1 increases homestead deductions and provides a supplemental homestead credit of the lesser of $300 or 10% of the prior year’s property tax bill.
- The existing operating referendum was originally approved for a rate not to exceed $0.2900 in 2015, renewed in 2020, and set to expire in 2028. In 2025, the operating referendum tax rate was $0.2674, $0.0226 less that the maximum approved tax rate. The total tax bill for 2025 is calculated based on the 2025 current tax rates per the Lake County Budget Order. For 2026, it is assumed that overlapping tax rates remain the level with 2025 rates and the operating referendum tax rate is renewed at $0.2900. Â
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Renew the Operating Referendum?
We’re sharing this information to help our community understand the importance of renewing Hanover Community School
Corporation’s operating referendum on November 4, 2025.
Renewal is essential to maintain the high-quality education Hanover is known for, while addressing ongoing state and federal funding shortfalls. It allows us to preserve small class sizes, strong academics, fine arts, CTE, and college-prep programs.
This is not a new tax. The current rate of 29 cents per $100 of net assessed value will remain unchanged –Â helping us stay financially stable without increasing the burden on taxpayers.
Preserve Educational Excellence
Continue delivering a high-quality education that supports every student’s path to college, career, and lifelong success.
Protect Critical Programs
Sustain valuable opportunities in fine arts, career and technical education (CTE), and advanced placement (AP) courses that prepare students for the future.
Support Small Class Sizes
Maintain manageable class sizes to ensure students receive the individual attention they need to thrive.
Bridge Funding Gaps
Help offset inadequate state and federal funding so that our schools remain strong, stable, and student-focused.