NOTE: This is my answer as of 8/8/2026. I likely will have additional thoughts and my opinion will evolve.
My first thought: HOW DARE the Indiana State Legislature put the burden of having local school corporations be the "bad guys", having to ask their community or communities for additional revenue through an operating referendum proposal. The legislature knew exactly what they were doing when they passed their "property tax relief". Plus, they have a MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS that they are sitting on! THAT'S OUR WALLETS BEING OVERTAXED! It's time to face facts - the majority of Indiana's leadership at the state level does not and has not been a supporter of public education for a long, long time.
I also believe that public schools should have every dollar needed to preform their jobs not just adequately, but at the highest level possible.
I believe that our teachers, teaching assistants, secretaries, cooks, coaches, custodians, nurses and bus drivers should be paid well. It always broke my heart to hear that Tipton's staff was ranked anywhere but near the top when it came to salaries of comparable school corporations in the area.
I believe that an amazing, inspiring and effective principal is worth what we pay them, and then some. I worked for eight principals during my time in Tipton. There were some whom I felt were worth their weight in gold. Quality education costs money!
Having said that, I believe that schools should treat the finances/budgets with the full and complete understanding that they are spending the taxpayers money. THEY SHOULD SPEND IT WELL. I know that not everyone understands how school budgets work. (see another Q&A post about understanding school budgets) There are people who don't understand why you can have building and facility improvements going on but yet are in serious negotiations with the teachers association arguing over a 2% raise vs. a 4.5% raise.
I also believe in optics. I believe that sometimes perception is more real THAN reality!
As a member of the Board of Education from 2019-2022, I believed in being as clear and transparent as possible. Transparency isn't always possible! More than once I had a patron contact me and wanted to know specifics about a teacher or a situation involving a student. NOBODY in administration can be 100% transparent and open all of the time. There are laws surrounding confidentiality.
REGARDING THE SPECIFIC REFERENDUM: I question how forthcoming and transparent top administration (including this Board of Education) has been with the community. I believe the administration could have been more forthcoming with full information and resources, such as the tax calculator that as of today has not been made public. (Special Board Meeting Presentation was 6/30 - it is 8/8 as I write this) I'm not a fan of scare tactics. The "Option 1" slide (shown below) from the presentation has a big red circle entitled "Reductions". That says anything not essential for graduation MAY be cut, such as elective courses at all levels including the Arts, PE, Ag, Family/Consumer Science, Business, Science and Social Studies. There MAY be cuts to Support Staff/Classroom Assistants, Transportation, our School Resource Officer (which the school stated in their newsletter on 8/16/26 is funded by the school safety grant from the Department of Homeland Security) and Custodians. We MAY have to reduce extracurricular activities such as athletics, our band/choir programs. The last bullet point was, on their graphic, Administration.
Let's think about what programs truly ARE essential for graduation and what programs help make a well rounded, well educated student. Let's also think about what positions are most and least tied directly to students on a day to day basis.
I WANT PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROPERLY FUNDED, because our students, staff and society as a whole deserve it. Passing the referendum is a way that WE can make up for the state's ongoing failure to do so.
HOWEVER, I want everyone to know EXACTLY what this will cost in dollars and in local economics.
Businesses WILL BE SUBJECT to this referendum should it pass. Do they know that? I doubt it. You don't need an MBA to know that businesses WILL NOT ABSORB whatever additional cost they will incur as a result of the referendum. THESE COSTS WILL BE PASSED ALONG TO CONSUMERS. Remember, there are a lot of businesses in this county that we all patronize. Restaurants are businesses. Gas stations, doctors, grocery stores, beauticians, florists, hardware stores, farms...are businesses. If you rent, do you think your landlord or complex ownership will just take the hit and not raise your rent? Again, while I want ALL public schools properly funded, I also believe that the school corporation should be forthcoming with as much of "the truth" as possible. It seems to me, from the meetings I have seen on line and the people that I have spoken with, that hasn't happened. I have heard from two people who left their name and contact information asking for a "call back" from the school after the June 30th meeting. They said that hasn't happened yet. It has been over a month since the community presentation.
If this doesn't pass, what will this look like beyond cutting everything that isn't directed towards a student getting a diploma? Will no student attending Tipton Community School Corporation ever have any art, music, agriculture or PE classes? Are we just going to be teaching Math and English all day? With the new Base Credit Requirements beginning with the Class of 2029, in addition to Math and English, there are still 7 credit requirements needed for Science, Technology and Engineering (2 Biology credits, 1 computer science and 4 additional science/STEM credits). There is still a PE and Health/Wellness requirement. You still need at least 2 credits in US History and a Government credit to graduate. Students STILL NEED 15 credits in electives including but not limited to the arts, world languages, and career and technical education. One would think we can't "apprentice" everything out! Does anyone really think TCSC will not have ANY athletic programs for our students? Are we really not going to have custodians maintain our buildings? Again, I am not a fan of scare tactics. I think it is quite telling that administration puts themselves at the bottom of the reduction list.
I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO DO YOUR OWN DIGGING. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. ASK YOUR OWN QUESTIONS OF YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS!!! CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES AND ASK THEM THE TOUGH QUESTIONS!!! THEY work for ME AND YOU! YOU must decide how YOU will vote when it comes to the TCSC Referendum Question. BE AS EDUCATED AS YOU CAN BE!
I can assure you of this: If I am elected to the Board of Education, I will fight like hell to keep as many programs as possible. I will happily look at where there is excess that can be trimmed and encourage that trimming! I would place the upmost priority on staff that have direct day in/day out interaction with students. I will be a vote in favor of necessary spending, paying our teachers and support staff well, and NOT spending what isn't needed. I will also be a voice for consolidation, maintaining Tipton's rich and long tradition, so that we can truly maximize our spending AND savings! The time has come! This is a "no-brainer".