Together, We Grow Excellence.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the referendum and for supporting our schools.
Your interest, your questions, and your vote matter. This effort is about ensuring our students have the very best teachers, staff, and opportunities to succeed — and that only happens with community support like yours.
Students Deserve Opportunities – From STEM to career readiness, our kids should be prepared for the future.
Teachers & Staff are the Heart of Our Schools – We need competitive salaries to attract and retain great educators.
Strong Schools = Strong Community – Schools aren’t just for kids; they strengthen property values, workforce readiness, and community pride.
Why Do We Need a Referendum?
How Will the Referendum Funds Be Used?
Career Technology Education (CTE) Center – Expanding programing and fully staffing with teachers, counselors, and admin to better support our students.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in Every Elementary – Expanding related arts teams to give students hands-on STEM experiences, while ensuring teachers have dedicated daily planning time.
Teacher Retention & Support - Offering competitive salaries to retain top teachers and instructional support staff year after year.
Focus on Safety - Increase the number of school resource officers and add a Safety Specialist to coordinate district wide safety planning and emergency preparedness.
Strategically Designed
The needs driving this referendum aren’t just what school leaders want—they come directly from our community’s voices and expectations. Through surveys, focus groups, and a steering team of parents, students, teachers, and residents, the NACS Strategic Plan was built to reflect what matters most to our community.
The referendum is how we bring that plan to life—ensuring excellent schools, strong student support, and opportunities that prepare every learner for the future.
Making Every Dollar Count
Spending Wisely: NACS stretches every dollar to provide students with a high-quality education, consistently doing more with less. Our district receives less funding per student than most Indiana districts, yet we continue to deliver strong academic programs and student opportunities. This careful use of resources highlights both our commitment to efficiency and the reality of a funding shortfall—nearly $8 million less than the state average each year.
Smart Facilities Planning: Capital projects are funded thoughtfully, ensuring schools are maintained without overspending.
Focused Administration: Low administrative costs mean more resources go directly to students and classrooms.
Reductions in Tax Rate - Between 2019 and 2025, NACS built a new elementary school, a new middle school, and expanded the high school due to significant growth in student populations—while reducing the tax rate from $1.0473 to $0.8797, far below the state average of $1.0525.
** Comparisons are made with all Allen County school districts, and the state average.
Expenditures Per Student Compared to all other Allen County Schools and the State Average
Understanding School Funding
Indiana schools rely on state funding formulas + local operating referenda.
Unlike building referendums, this is an operating referendum: money goes to people and programs, not construction projects including proposed projects like the transportation center, or natatorium.
Without it, we risk losing teachers to higher paying districts and losing out on valuable career education programs.
With it, we can retain staff, expand opportunities, and meet the needs of a growing community.
Volunteer
Your time and energy can help us spread the word and build support. Whether you have a few hours or a few days, there’s a place for you! Volunteers are needed for:
Community outreach — Share information with friends, neighbors, and local groups
Yard signs — Distribute and place signs around the community
Phone calls & texting — Remind neighbors about key dates
Social media support — Share posts and updates online
Canvassing / Walking — Go door-to-door to connect directly with community members
Election Day support — Help at polling locations or with last-minute reminders
Every effort, big or small, brings us closer to success. Together, we can support our teachers, staff, and students.