The future for Noblesville Schools is now clearer as Noblesville city and townships residents have voted 60 percent to 40 percent in favor of both referendums - capital building projects and operating fund - Tuesday.
"We've been really excited to see the numbers come in," said Noblesville School Board President Julia Kozicki. "It helps to know the dollars are coming - there is light at the end of the tunnel."
School officials said last year's failed referendum was due in large part to a lack of information and misinformation among voters - something they worked hard to correct this time around.
"We have a very educated community dedicated to supporting our schools," said Kozicki.
"My biggest hope was to have better informed voters and not have as much misinformation this year, that makes a huge difference," added Noblesville Schools Superintendent Libbie Conner. "It's one thing is the people disagree based on facts and another if based on misinformation - that's really a tradegy. The education of 9,000 students is riding on this. We gave it everything we have."
Since the fall, Conner and Kozicki have held public forums, met with community groups and spoken at length about the referendums - the reasons behind and benefits for. Now the two can begin focusing on other aspects and implementing the district's plan rather than promoting it.
"I can't wait for this knot in my stomach to loosen up," said Conner. "The community's just been awesome. I'm looking forward to being 90 percent superintendent and 10 percent politician instead of vice versa."
The community voted 62.52 percent (7,070 votes) in favor of supporting the Operating Fund Referendum - with 37.48 percent (4,238 votes) against - and the Capital Building Referendum had 6,870 votes (60.48 percent) in support with 4,490 votes (39.52 percent) opposing.
"The community rallied around its schools to continue to promote excellence," Pat Berghoff, chairman of the Educate Noblesville PAC and Noblesville School Board member elect.
"It was a big sigh of relief, especially when the veterans around here were saying, 'Hey you're going to do it,'" added Conner. "We're absolutely elated."
© 2024 The Times a division of Sagamore News Media