Kenley: Noblesville Schools referendum is about local decision making among voters

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Dear Editor:

Noblesville Schools, under the leadership of the School Board and the school administration, have prepared for two years to determine what they need in terms of the referendum renewal. They have examined every area of expense, and have made cuts amounting to more than $2 million in terms of administrative salary expenses alone.

Despite a careful and thorough effort to reduce costs, they have, in public meetings supported by district-wide informational meetings, determined that they must ask the taxpayers to support the current ballot initiative.

The State of Indiana supports a large share of public education for all school districts, but they leave the final decision up to the discretion of each school district to determine what levels of spending they want to make for the education of their children in their own community. Property taxes are controlled by local elected officials, decision makers, and citizens. Noblesville has an enviable record of preparing our young people to be able to succeed in their future.

I am proud of Noblesville’s commitment to education and consider it to be one of the most important uses of tax dollars. Other communities may make different decisions, but this is true local decision making in Indiana, and even though I no longer have children of school age, I am willing to pay my fair share.

I hope you will join me in that decision and vote for the referendum on the ballot this November.

Luke Kenley
Noblesville