‘No’ vote on Noblesville Schools referendum will drive teachers away

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Dear Editor:

Do we want strong public schools or not? I stand on the side of public education and the kids of Noblesville.

There are serious funding issues for public schools in the state of Indiana as evidenced by five of the six school systems in Hamilton County placing referendums on the ballot on Nov. 3.

Specifically, in Noblesville, a referendum is expiring which the community voted for eight years ago. That referendum was passed due at least in part to the tragic shooting at Noblesville West Middle School on May 25, 2018. That referendum addressed a need for enhanced security at all Noblesville Schools, mental health initiatives for both students and staff, and increased teacher pay. The money from the referendum even helped Noblesville Schools provide assistance to students with food and housing insecurities.

The 2026 referendum is only asking to continue the current programs and services that the 2018 referendum made possible. For a typical Noblesville home valued at $350,000, the increase in property taxes will be about a dollar a month or about $12.62 a year over what is currently paid.

For the opponents that say we are just throwing money at the same old problem, I really don’t see the problem. Noblesville Schools is nationally recognized in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and music education. Noblesville Schools has a 99 percent graduation rate and ranks in the top 5 to 10 percent in standardized testing scores. Noblesville has a record number of AP scholars, National Merit Finalists, and Lilly Scholars who earned over $6 million in scholarships in 2026.

The amount of misinformation, misunderstanding and conspiracy theories on social media is astounding. The new referendum, if passed, will raise the amount paid to Noblesville Schools on your property tax bill by about a dollar a month. For 2027, it raises the rate from 37 cents to 38.5 cents. It is miniscule – a very small price to pay for what the community gets in return.

Many opponents believe a NO vote would just keep the funding to Noblesville Schools at current levels. Nothing could be further from the truth.

A NO vote would be a devastating blow to Noblesville Schools and our community. It would take away 20 percent of the annual budget. It would take away $25 million. As many as 140 teachers may lose their jobs. Every single student of the 10,000 who attend Noblesville Schools would be negatively affected.

Noblesville Schools has a 93.17 percent teacher retention rate. Vote NO and our best and most experienced teachers will leave in droves for better paying jobs at Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern, and Westfield.

Dr. Hile and the Noblesville School Board have been completely transparent from the beginning. Go to NoblesvilleSchools.org and watch Dr. Hile’s video regarding the referendum. Pull down the menu to find it. It is clear and concise.

Also, please consider the Indiana State Legislature is sitting on nearly six billion unused dollars of your tax money. I urge you to contact your state legislators and tell them to fully fund public education.

For about a dollar a month, Noblesville Schools can continue the excellence it has shown the last decade. Vote YES for the sake of every student and our entire community.

I stand on the side of public education and the kids of Noblesville.

Tony Oilar
Noblesville