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OPERATING REFERENDUM
Where Excellence Grows.
Learn More About the Upcoming Operating Referendum
This page provides detailed information about the upcoming Operating Referendum, including how school funding works, the specific financial needs of our district, and the data and presentations shared at public school board meetings over the past year. You will also find tools such as a household impact calculator and additional resources to provide transparency and help you stay informed.
The Two Main Fund Types at NACS...
What is an Operations Fund?
- Primary Revenue Source:
- Local Property Taxes (including Commercial Vehicle Excise Tax, License Tax)
- Transfer from Education Fund
- How funds are used:
- Salaries & Benefits (non-instructional staff)
- Custodial/Maintenance Supplies
- Property/Casualty Insurance
- Maintenance
- Utilities
- School Buses
- Capital Project Improvements
- Equipment
- Staff involved:
- Custodial Staff
- Transportation/Bus Driver Staff
- School Resource Officers
- Business/HR Departments
- District Level Staff
What is an Education Fund?
- Primary Revenue Source:
- State Tuition Support
- No property Tax Revenue
- How funds are used:
- Salaries & Benefits (instructional staff)
- Curricular Materials
- Instructional Supplies
- Professional Development
- Technology
- Staff involved:
- Teachers
- Instructional Assistants
- Office Staff
- Administrators
- Nurses
- Special Education Staff
- Technology Staff
- Coaches
- Did you know - NACS transports...
6,300 kids per day - 5,387 miles per day - 26,935 miles per week.
- Did you know - NACS feeds...
5,962 lunches per day - 990 breakfasts per day - 1,049,485 student lunches per year - 22,556 adult lunches per year - 174,118 breakfasts per year.
- Did you know - NACS was the only...
Allen County School district to NOT increase their tax rate from 2024 to 2025 AND has the lowest tax rate among the four school districts.
Understanding How School Funding Works
The graphics below illustrate how funds from State Tuition Support and Property Taxes are allocated in our district. The first visual highlights the current gap between available resources and district needs, and the impact that shortfall has on students and staff. The second visual shows how the proposed Operating Referendum would help close that gap by supplementing existing funding with additional support.
NACS receives approximately $8 million less in annual funding than the state average, creating a significant gap that impacts both daily operations and classroom learning with $4.39 million missing annually from the Operations Fund and $3.56 million annually from the Education Fund.
Without an Operating Referendum
With an Operating Referendum
When you pay property taxes in Allen County, only a portion of those dollars go directly to our Northwest Allen County Schools (NACS). The rest is distributed among other local entities such as the city, county, township government, libraries, and public safety services.
The pie chart illustrates how your tax dollars are divided. Please note that NACS is just one part of how your property tax dollars are used.
For example, NACS receives only 54% of the total property tax support, the remaining 46% supports other vital services that keep our community running, including fire departments, libraries, and local governments.
This breakdown helps clarify why school funding often requires additional support through referendums or grants. Every dollar counts, and understanding where it goes empowers us all to make informed decisions about our schools and our community.
Thank you for making NACS your home!
How will funds be used and how does it impact me?
Presentations & Data
Below are downloadable presentations that were shared during public school board meetings.
These documents provide insight into the district’s funding challenges, proposed solutions, and plans to support and expand opportunities for students.
NACS Revenue & Expenditures per Student
Questions and Resources
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Curious to know how the proposed 2025 NACS Operating Referendum might impact your household? Click the button below to use our calculator and estimate your potential tax impact.
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Click here to view the NACS Strategic Plan – a community-driven roadmap shaped by input from students, staff, families, and community members. Centered on belonging, personalized learning, wellness, and transparency, this living document guides our efforts to build a strong community where everyone can grow, connect, and lead.
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Policy Analytics, LLC is an Indiana based company specializing in economic research, public finance, and policy analysis. Since 2004, Policy Analytics has been working with educational institutions, civil governments and other organizations throughout Indiana to conduct actionable quantitative analyses to inform fiscal policy decisions.
Baker Tilly is a top ten advisory tax and assurance firm dedicated to customized business solutions that generate and sustain growth. We lead with purpose, and we walk with you every step along your journey.
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Need to register to vote? Click the button below to access the Allen County Voter Registration Website.
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Do you have a question about the Operating Referendum? We encourage you to reach out and share your thoughts.
You can email us at: Operating.Referendum@nacs.k12.in.us
CHARACTER.
We aim to help our students become individuals who are kind, honest, empathetic, respectful, and hard-working.
GROWTH.
We value the learning process and lead our students to understand that they can achieve their goals through dedication and hard work.
CONNECTION.
We strive to create an environment where students and families feel supported and cared for by the school community.
ACHIEVEMENT.
We are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality educational experience where they can excel and achieve in all areas of their educational careers and beyond..