District overview
Union Township School Corporation
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How Union Township schools are paid for
Union Township School Corporation runs four schools west of Valparaiso: Union Center and John Simatovich elementaries, Union Township Middle School and Wheeler High School. State money per student pays most costs, but the district gets less per student than most of Indiana, so a voter-approved operating referendum pays for part of its staff and programs. That referendum ends in 2027, and renewing it is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Referendum on the ballot
Up to 35 cents per $100 of assessed value for 2027-2034, at most $3,374,291 a year. Staff said failure would mean cutting more than $2.5 million.
Low state funding
Staff said the district ranks about 270th of 290 in state money per student, about $7,299.
State tax law cuts
Indiana's new property tax law (SEA 1) cuts about $467,000 to $477,000 a year in local revenue.
Growing through transfers
Enrollment rose 31 students to 1,432 this fall, mostly from students transferring in from other districts.
Voters approved the district's referendums in 2013 (58%) and 2020 (81%), and the district keeps a AA- bond rating. Cut estimates are the district's own projections.
Where the district stands
Major projects
Operating referendum renewal
on the November 3, 2026 ballotReplaces the current referendum (about 21 cents) that ends in 2027.
- Board starts referendum process
- Board approves ballot question
- Election day
Funding
Property tax, if voters approve
Building repairs with Performance Services
in progressPhase 1 (art room, restrooms, gym floors) is done; Phase 2 covers middle school hallways and lighting, Wheeler LED lights and John Simatovich brick repair, with more planned for summer 2027.
- Design-builder chosen
- Phase 1 approved (about $1 million)
- Phase 2 approved
Funding
Bond money (including 2023 bonds)
Recent news
View the news feed →Resources
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Thirteen board meeting recordings (November 2025-October 2026) on the UTSC Board YouTube channel, read from captions. The district website blocks our collector, so written agendas, minutes and budget documents were not collected.
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