The Noblesville School Board voted Tuesday to seek an expansion of their current operating referendum by asking residents to vote on a proposal that would add an additional 18.1 cents per $100 of assessed property value.
Noblesville Schools report the new referendum would replace the existing one passed in 2016 and would provide funding through 2026.
The expanded referendum would provide Noblesville Schools with a reported additional $6.25 million increase over seven years for school safety, mental health and recruiting / retaining top teaching staff.
The current operating referendum tax rate is 18.9 cents. The proposed referendum would replace the 18.9 cents rate with a new rate of 37 cents.
Niedermeyer
“The referendum we passed in 2016 was about maintaining the status quo of our staffing, programming and services, and was a 10.5 percent reduction in the tax rate,” said Dr. Beth Niedermeyer, superintendent of Noblesville Schools. “This referendum is asking the community to support an increase in funding so we can address school safety and mental health enhancements, as well as teacher recruiting/retention needs.”
In addition to school safety and mental health, the additional 18.1 cents per $100 assessed property value will likely be used to provide the district with the opportunity to provide teacher pay raises.
The proposal comes on the heels of Noblesville receiving a $50,000 safety grant and an $800,000 counseling grant.
In a release provided by Noblesville Schools, the district noted that the teacher shortage in Indiana continues to make recruiting and retaining talented teaching staff a significant challenge.
“As the teacher shortage continues to intensify and as other area school districts have recently increased teacher compensation, we must do the same or we will continue to lose talented staff to other districts and the private sector,” added Niedermeyer. “Strong teachers are the most important factor for student growth and academic excellence.”
Noblesville School officials say, due to state law regarding referendum communications, residents won’t find information about the referendum on the district website or social media. A political action committee has been formed to support the referendum campaign and is providing a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions and a tax calculator on its website, milleryes.org.
Additionally, Niedermeyer will present referendum details to various groups in the community in the coming months. She is also available for questions at her open community Table Talk meetings, which are held at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at Noble Coffee and Tea, 933 Logan St., Noblesville.