A vote NO is not a vote against our children

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Dear Editor:

I love our Noblesville community, and I believe deeply in the importance of providing every child with an excellent education. I have tremendous respect for the teachers who pour their hearts into our classrooms every day, often going above and beyond to help students succeed. They deserve our appreciation, our support, and the resources necessary to do their jobs well.

Our students deserve nothing less than the very best we can provide.

That is why my position on the proposed Noblesville Schools referendum is not one I take lightly. I recognize that school funding is complicated, that operating costs continue to rise, and that difficult decisions must be made. I also recognize that many families, seniors, and homeowners in our community are facing those same financial pressures.

I believe we can support our teachers, prioritize academic excellence, protect opportunities for our students, and still demand responsible fiscal stewardship. These are not competing priorities. They are responsibilities that should work together.

The current school board has expressed concern about the potential loss of programs, staffing, and opportunities if the referendum fails. Those concerns deserve to be heard and taken seriously. But I believe taxpayers also deserve more than a choice between higher taxes and the possibility of losing programs they value.

Before asking our community to make another eight-year financial commitment, we should be willing to take a comprehensive look at how our existing dollars are being spent.

With an annual district budget of approximately $170 million, every dollar matters. We have a responsibility to examine administrative expenses, operational efficiencies, spending priorities, and opportunities to direct more resources where they matter most: our classrooms, our teachers, and our students.

I am committed to advocating for a thorough, independent financial audit and comprehensive spending review, regardless of whether this referendum passes or fails. Our community deserves transparency, clear answers, and confidence that taxpayer dollars are being used as effectively as possible.

I want our teachers to be well compensated and supported. I want our classrooms equipped for success. I want students challenged academically, prepared for life beyond graduation, and given opportunities to discover their God-given potential.

And I want the hardworking taxpayers of Noblesville to know their voices matter, too.

We should never have to choose between loving our schools and holding them financially accountable.

A vote NO is not a rejection of our teachers. It is not a rejection of our students. And it is certainly not a rejection of the value of public education.

For me, it is a call to take a closer look, ask difficult questions, establish clear priorities, and pursue sustainable solutions that respect both the needs of our schools and the financial realities of our community.

I believe in Noblesville Schools. I believe in our educators. I believe in our students. And I believe that strong schools and responsible stewardship must go hand in hand.

Our children deserve academic excellence. Our teachers deserve meaningful support. And our taxpayers deserve accountability.

We owe all three nothing less.

Denise Dye
Candidate, Noblesville School Board