You know where I am going . . .

$1.33

Remember that number.

They thought it could never happen. But it did.

So, a referendum didn’t pass in the Ohio school district where my friend Kim taught. Now there is no bus transportation. NONE. Did you know that in Indiana, schools aren’t required to provide bus transportation? School activities and programs once taken for granted no longer exist. Her district drew top teachers. That no longer happens. Students who struggled are now struggling even more. Class sizes are larger. There are fewer teachers. It’s sad. If only …

It could happen here.

May 25, 2018. I was sitting with my mother in her room at Riverview Hospital when calls and texts started coming in on my phone. I had two grandchildren in the Noblesville Schools. An “incident” at Noblesville West sent the town into a frenzy. This wasn’t supposed to happen in our town, but it did. A heroic teacher and a young girl were nearly killed. Soon after, law enforcement officers were assigned to each school. The LEOs aren’t just there for safety. They get to know the students and often notice changes in behavior. The blue line protects our students physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The LEOs could be forced out if … well, you know where I’m going.

Mental health issues are rampant among teenagers in every community, including ours. We have well-trained counselors in the Noblesville School System who recognize when help is needed and know how to take action. Programs have been put in place. If you are the parent of a child who struggles with their mental health, then you know the value of these counselors and the programs they have established.

What happens if … well, you know where I’m going.

Perhaps you’ve never had a child or grandchild who struggled with a learning challenge. You don’t know what it’s like to see them struggle to keep up. You don’t understand the value of them having a teacher who goes out of their way to help.

Increase the class size and, well … you know where I’m going.

When the Indiana State Legislature passed SEA 1, they struck a blow to public education that has caused so much harm to public schools that the repercussions will be felt for years. Shame on every legislator and state official who voted for this. But they are sure proud of the stockpile of money the state has in its coffers.

At the same time, public schools suffer and have to … well, you know where I’m going.

Last week I told you I would go ten fingertips down and be willing to die on a hill. Now you know the name of that hill: Referendum. Noblesville Schools has my heart. I stand with every teacher who goes above and beyond their call of duty. We have attracted and hired the cream of the teaching crop.

To the teachers in Noblesville Schools … I see you. I’m sorry you have been disrespected and dissed. I’m sorry you are tossing and turning at night, worrying about whether you will have a job and whether your students will lose out as well. Without strong schools, we all lose.

Our administration is truly doing their due diligence. They can only budget the money available. They can’t take from Peter to pay Paul if Peter doesn’t exist. The state legislature made sure of that.

Our Noblesville School Board has worked diligently to do everything needed to make our school system the best it can be. They spend hours going over numbers and making adjustments. They have been willing to meet with groups and individuals over the past few months. Kudos to them. They have worked overtime for our students and teachers.

My family has three generations of Noblesville High School graduates. I know our community’s strength lies in our schools. Do you know how many families are three-generation graduates of Noblesville Schools? People want to raise their families in a strong school system, and many stay here.

The STEM program at Noblesville High School has allowed students to choose a path of science, technology, engineering, and math as they enter adulthood. My 20-year-old grandson was part of the program. He is now employed by Eli Lilly as an electrician. There were over 500 applicants. They hired seven. Because of the education and training he received from the STEM program, he is living proof of its value. The referendum will make it possible to continue. STEM has many success stories.

The referendum does not fund sports or construction.

Read that again.

Lots of untruths are being circulated. People are believing what they want to believe. Just because a friend tells them something, they believe it. They won’t listen to the facts. Sadly, they don’t care to go to a meeting with Dr. Hile, ask questions, and learn the facts. They are even using AI to spread their untruths. Those untruths will cause even more damage to our schools.

For me, real heroes wear lanyards. My ten fingertips will champion them and stand on Referendum Hill singing their praises. Teachers, you have made our community what it is today. We are black and gold strong. We are thriving.

You can go to noblesvilleschools.org/referendum to see exactly how much more you will pay each month. Or you can believe the untruthful numbers being circulated. It depends on how much you value the truth, our teachers, and our students. It’s your choice.

I’ll be here with my ten fingertips down, ready to die on Referendum Hill and vote YES on the ballot.

I’ll gladly pay $1.33 more a month to support our schools, their teachers, but most of all our children.

Please join me on Referendum Hill by voting YES.

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). She is the recipient of the Reporter’s Spring 2025 Ink-Stained Wretch award. Visit janethartleonard.com. You can purchase her book “When the Hart Speaks” at amazon.com/dp/B0B1C7QKF6.