Supporting Noblesville Schools is an investment worth making

By SCOTT BALDWIN
State Senator

Nobody likes paying taxes. I don’t either. But we all expect certain things from our community, and good schools are high on that list.

Noblesville has excellent schools in part because local taxpayers have chosen to do a little extra for our kids. This November, we will decide whether to continue that commitment.

Before asking anyone to support a referendum, I think we owe taxpayers an answer to a basic question: Are our schools taking good care of the money we already give them?

I have met with the Noblesville Schools administration multiple times and reviewed their finances. Based on that review, I believe they are working hard to manage our tax dollars responsibly and put our kids first.

They have made approximately $4 million in cuts, including reducing administrative leadership positions and freezing administrative salaries. They have also renegotiated contracts and found ways to operate more efficiently.

The district has lowered its portion of the property tax rate for seven consecutive years and holds an AA credit rating. You don’t earn that kind of rating by mismanaging money.

That doesn’t put any spending decision beyond scrutiny. It does give taxpayers a reason for confidence.

We can also see results in what our students accomplish. Noblesville has reported a 98 percent graduation rate, along with recognition for its STEM and music programs and opportunities for students to earn college credit while still in high school.

Our community’s investment helps make those opportunities possible.

The current operating referendum expires at the end of this year. It provides roughly 20 percent of the district’s operating funding, supporting teachers, manageable class sizes, career preparation, school safety and mental health services. These dollars cannot be used to build schools or athletic facilities.

At Dr. Dan Hile’s recent State of the Schools presentation, he outlined what losing that funding could mean: fewer teachers, larger classes, reduced programs and services, and potentially closing an elementary school.

Those decisions would reach well beyond a spreadsheet. Our kids, teachers and families would feel them.

Taxpayers also deserve a clear explanation of the cost. Unfortunately, the required ballot language is misleading about how much more homeowners should expect to pay compared with what they pay today.

The ballot calculation does not account for what residents already pay under the existing referendum, and it assumes the district will charge the maximum authorized rate. That makes the increase appear much larger than the district actually projects.

The ballot lists a maximum rate of 57 cents per $100 of net assessed value. The district has committed to using 38.5 cents in 2027 and says its updated projections do not anticipate needing the maximum.

For a home valued at $350,000, the district estimates an average increase of about $1.88 per month over the eight-year referendum compared with what the homeowner pays today. Individual circumstances will vary, and I encourage residents to check the district’s calculator.

I believe the legislature needs to fix this ballot language. Taxpayers deserve to understand both what they are authorizing and how it compares with what they already pay.

Every family has its own budget, and I respect that this is a decision each voter must make.

For me, supporting this referendum comes down to responsible management, results for our kids and the kind of community we want Noblesville to be.

I have asked questions, reviewed the finances, and considered what is at stake. I believe supporting Noblesville Schools is an investment worth making.

I will be voting yes on Nov. 3, and I encourage you to join me.

State Senator Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) represents Senate District 20, which includes Noblesville and Wayne townships and portions of Clay and Jackson townships.