NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Noblesville Schools said the district will face significant cuts if voters to do not approve continuing their operating referendum. In a press release on Thursday, the district said it will need to cut 20% of its staff, close an elementary school and reduce or end programs and extracurriculars.
“We would have to really look at pretty much every area and department and program and service that we provide to decide how we would truly come up with about $25 million worth of savings,” Superintendent Dr. Dan Hile said Friday. “As of right now, in 2026, it provides about 20% of our operational funding, which for us is close to $25 million a year.”
The community has approved referendum funding for Noblesville Schools since 2010. If voters do not approve the ballot measure, it will expire at the end of 2026. Hile says the referendum has allowed the district to continually improve salaries and benefits for employees, noting the district has earned recognition in 2024 by Forbes Magazine as one of the best places to work in the country.
“This summer for the first time ever, our teacher retention rate is over 93% this year, which is such a huge win for not only our district, but of course our children that we serve, too,” Hile said.
Hile wants voters to know exactly what they are voting for before casting their ballot.
“This is a community decision. But, what’s really important is that we make sure everyone has all the facts and the accurate facts about not only what a ‘yes’ vote means, in terms of what it might cost, but also in terms of what a ‘no’ vote means in terms of what would have to change if we no longer have that funding,” Hile said.
Hile says average residents with homes valued at $350K, the proposal to continue funding would mean an annual increase of approximately $1.88 more a month than what residents are paying currently.
“Especially for districts like ours, where we have a referendum that’s expiring and we’re just talking about a new one to take its place, the ballot language makes it sound like a much larger increase for people than it really is,” he said.
Noblesville is one of dozens of communities that will face a referendum vote this year. Hile says the district will stand with whatever decision voters make.
“I hope that our community will continue to partner with us in support. Again, we will ultimately honor and respect whatever decision this community makes,” Hile said.
Noblesville residents who live within the district’s boundary will see the referendum appear on the ballot at “Public Question #3.”
More information about the referendum, including an interactive calculator, can be found here. You can also reach out to Superintendent Hile directly by emailing dan_hile@nobl.k12.in.us or calling (317) 773-3171.
The deadline to register to vote is October 5.
