The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Corp. 2027 budget was presented to the HSE Board of Trustees and the public for the first time Sept. 23, with district officials detailing an advertised $325.9 million spending plan — about $15 million lower than the current budget.
Raises for teachers and other staff are anticipated in the proposed budget.
Superintendent of Finance Tim Brown led the presentation, but acknowledged the work of many people leading up to the completed — and complicated — budget. He noted that the advertised budget is about $2 million more than the predicted budget, which is a common practice that allows a cushion in case expenses are higher than expected.
Brown led the board through the budgeting process, including reduced revenue projections following Senate Enrolled Act 1, the 2025 overhaul of the state’s property tax law. Overall assessed value for homes within HSE’s district boundaries continue to rise, but with the additional deductions from SEA1, net assessed value — used to determine how much tax is paid — has meant lower revenue.
HSE, along with many other Indiana school districts, is asking voters to approve a new referendum Nov. 3 to make up for some of that...