All the recent construction projects were properly planned and budgeted in 2022 without raising taxes — before the April 2025 changes in school funding. Short- and long-term plans were carefully executed — again, before the recent changes in school funding. 

Construction projects and district-wide improvements were scheduled according to the district’s long-range facility plan and were financed through the debt service fund with bonds, which function like a mortgage. By law, the funds raised in debt service to pay for those mortgages cannot be used for salaries or day-to-day educational costs of running the school district. 

Construction projects were initiated to meet the then-current and future needs of the school district. Multiple subdivisions were being built and thus preparing for possible increases in student enrollment. Furniture, carpeting, and paint were in need of replacement after 20-30+ years, and aspects of the high school athletic facilities were on the verge of dilapidation.  Furthermore, cost-saving measures were included in the bonding for installation of LED lighting at the two largest schools, Lowell Intermediate/Middle School and Lowell High School, as a means to save money and get a return on investment within a short amount of time. 

Again, there was no tax rate increase for the projects. The bond payments were planned to begin as the debt from the 2005 Lowell High School renovation was paid off to prevent any increases in taxes.

Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1) is a 2025 Indiana law that overhauls aspects of the state’s property tax and local tax systems.

SEA 1 changes homestead deductions, reshapes Local Income Tax (LIT) distribution, adjusts business personal property rules, and places new limits on certain local levies.

SEA 1 changes how property tax burdens and local revenue flows are calculated and distributed, which can affect school funding, municipal budgets, and homeowner tax bills.

The net assessed value of homes in Tri-Creek over the next six years will be reduced to one-third of the current value, which will result in an estimated loss of $2,500,000 in property tax revenue to the school district yearly.

Tri-Creek School Corporation works hard to be responsible with taxpayer dollars and to stretch every dollar as far as possible. 

• Conducts regular budget reviews to identify inefficiencies
• Closely evaluates staffing levels and adjusts through attrition
• Utilizes shared services and cooperative purchase whenever possible
• Maximize grant funding and alternative revenue sources

We also renegotiate contracts, invest in energy-saving improvements such as LED and solar, and pursue grants and outside funding when available. 

Even as costs like utilities, insurance, and state-required expenses continue to rise, such as transportation, the district focuses on making smart financial decisions that protect classrooms and support students without unnecessary spending.

Over the past three years, Tri-Creek School Corporation has cut $1,581,000 from the budget to make ends meet.

The 10 new active subdivisions in Lowell have been designated by the Town of Lowell as Residential TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Districts. 

This means new tax growth from those subdivisions is temporarily directed to the TIF fund instead of being shared among taxing units such as the schools, town, county, library, and township. Tri-Creek Schools continues to receive taxes based on the original, undeveloped assessed value, but the additional growth goes to support the development itself until the TIF expires.

The school district does not receive any taxes from the new growth in those subdivisions.