Crosser & Lambert: vote for us & we’ll help keep Noblesville Schools strong

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Dear Editor:

There have been a lot of letters in recent weeks regarding the Noblesville school board race. We appreciate the community members who have written in support of us, but also feel strongly that it’s important for voters to hear from us directly.

We have been honored and proud to serve on the school board these last four years and take our roles of representing Noblesville residents very seriously. We are passionate about taking care of students, teachers, and taxpayers, and want to take this opportunity to highlight a few facts about us.

• One of our proudest accomplishments during our time on the board has been the hiring and retention of our award-winning superintendent, Dr. Dan Hile. Our board, Dr. Hile, and his team are leading a school district here in Noblesville that is the envy of many communities throughout the state. The important role board members play in creating and supporting this success cannot be overstated. Strong leadership begins at the top.
• We take our role as stewards of your taxpayer dollars very seriously. As home values have continued to increase in our area, we are all feeling the pinch of higher tax bills. During our time on the board, the school tax rate has decreased each year, we have been paying down long-term debt, and we are working within the means we have here in Noblesville. Other neighboring communities may have different school tax rates because they have different assessed home and business values, lower revenue losses as a result of tax caps, or different students with fewer needs.
• With our careful focus on finances, we will also be taking a critical eye to whether we could reduce the rate for any future referendum funding. It is important to remember that the community ultimately decides what they want for their schools and whether they want to vote to support a referendum or not.
• Academics are at the heart of what Noblesville Schools does and our district continues to perform at high levels. On state testing we are a top 10 percent public school for ILEARN and a top 4 percent public school for SAT. Additionally, we offer dozens of real-world career training opportunities, save parents hundreds of thousands of dollars on college tuition, and provide access to hands-on STEM learning at all grade levels.

We have a strong relationship with Dr. Hile, his leadership team, and our educators. They are carrying through on the vision and expectations we have set for them. Unlike some other school districts, we have been able to establish and grow a respectful, supportive, and effective working relationship between the board, administration, and teachers which ultimately serves to benefit our students and Noblesville overall. Strong schools make for a strong community and we hope you will help us keep Noblesville Schools strong. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and would be honored to earn your vote.

Christi Crosser
President, Noblesville School Board
Christi_Crosser@nobl.k12.in.us

Stephanie Lambert
Vice President, Noblesville School Board
Stephanie_Lambert@nobl.k12.in.us