Why I support Noblesville Schools

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Dear Editor:

I don’t like taxes.

As a fiscally conservative Republican, I believe government has an obligation to be disciplined with every dollar it receives. Taxes should never be taken lightly, and taxpayers deserve to know exactly what they’re being asked to support.

That’s why I took a hard look at the Noblesville Schools referendum that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

And I support it.

I support it not just as the mayor of Noblesville, but as someone who grew up here, benefited personally from the schools, and whose children now attend Noblesville Schools.

I attended Noblesville Schools from Hinkle Creek Elementary through Noblesville High School. Some of my best memories are from those years. More importantly, the teachers who invested in me helped shape my life and my career.

I know firsthand what a strong school system can mean to a kid. As a child raised by a single mother, also an educator, I know the significant impact educators have on students and their families.

I also know what it means to a community.

As mayor, I regularly talk with businesses considering Noblesville. One of the first questions they ask is simple: “How are the schools?”

They ask because schools matter to economic development. Businesses want to locate where their employees want to live. Families consider schools when deciding where to put down roots. Strong schools help make Noblesville an attractive place to live, work, and invest.

My perspective on education isn’t shaped only by being a graduate. I was raised by a public educator, I married a public educator, and I’m a father of four kids who go to Noblesville Schools. I’ve seen up close the commitment educators make to our community and our children.

This referendum isn’t about building a new stadium or school building. According to Noblesville Schools, the proposal would continue existing operating funding that supports teachers, academic programs, career and technical education, school safety, mental-health services, and other student programs. The current referendum represents about 20 percent of the district’s operating funding.

I also wanted to understand what it means for taxpayers.

So I used the district’s calculator myself. For my household, the projected increase came to 47 cents per month.

Every taxpayer should run the numbers for their own property and make their own judgment. The district’s current estimate for a $350,000 Noblesville home is an average increase of approximately $1.88 per month over the eight-year period.

For me, this comes down to a simple question: What are we willing to invest in the community that we want Noblesville to be?

I don’t believe fiscal conservatism means saying no to every expenditure. I believe it means asking whether the investment has value.

I know the value of Noblesville Schools because I lived it.

The teachers who encouraged me. The education I received. The friendships and memories I made. The foundation that helped lead me to where I am today, and that now leads my children.

As mayor, I see every day how much strong schools contribute to the community we are building.

Noblesville gave me a great start.

I want to make sure the next generation has that same opportunity.

That’s why I support the Noblesville Schools referendum on Nov. 3.

Chris Jensen
Noblesville Mayor, Resident & Noblesville Schools Parent