Civic
Every race on your ballot, with sources. Races by stateJoin the Luminary network

2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Hamilton Noblesville School Board

2 seats on the Noblesville Schools's board are on this year's ballot, with 3 names on them, alongside a question for the same voters. Which seats appear on your ballot depends on where in the corporation you live.

Find your exact ballotAll school boards

What a school board does

A school board is the elected or appointed governing body of a public school corporation, the legal unit that runs a local school district [1, 2]. The board hires and evaluates the superintendent, adopts policies, and approves the annual budget, while the superintendent and staff run schools day to day [3]. Most boards have five or seven members serving staggered four-year terms [3]. Starting in 2026, candidates may list a political party, run as independents, or list no affiliation on the ballot, and there is no primary for these seats [2, 4].

Term
4 years, with elections staggered so part of the board is chosen every two years [3]
Elected
At the November general election (November 3, 2026, or November 2028 for some seats); depending on the local organization plan, members represent the whole school corporation (at large) or a district within it, and some boards are wholly or partly appointed [2]
Ballot label
Each candidate chooses a party label, 'Independent', or no affiliation, shown next to the name; no primary and no straight-ticket voting for these races [2, 4]
Pay
Set by board resolution: an annual amount of no more than 10% of the lowest starting teacher salary in the school corporation, plus a capped per diem [5]
On the 2026 ballot
632 races in 276 school corporations; 1,035 candidates, 197 races contested [6]
What the law puts in this job (12)
  • Hires, evaluates and can dismiss the superintendent, and approves the hiring and firing of principals, teachers and other staff recommended by the superintendent [1, 7, 3].
  • Adopts the annual budget, appropriates funds and oversees school finances [1, 3].
  • Decides whether to ask voters to approve an operating referendum (an extra property tax levy); the board adopts the resolution and the Department of Local Government Finance reviews the ballot language for compliance with state law [8].
  • Approves contracts, buys and sells property, and decides on construction, repair and demolition of school buildings [1].
  • Bargains with the teachers' union over salary, wages and wage-related benefits such as health insurance and retirement; state law excludes teacher evaluation procedures from those bargaining subjects [9].
  • Writes and updates policies and rules for schools, often in a policy handbook, including the student handbook [1, 3].
  • Buys curricular materials, provides them to students without charge, and runs programs such as student transportation and school lunch [1].
  • Must adopt a process for parents and residents to ask that library material be removed as obscene or harmful to minors, review requests at public meetings and keep a public catalog of library materials [10].
  • Hears written appeals of student expulsions, unless the board has voted not to hear them [11].
  • Must take official action openly; Indiana's Open Door Law says public agencies' official action is to be conducted openly so the people may be fully informed [12, 13].
  • A school board member must have lived in the school corporation (and, for a district seat, the district) for at least one year before the election, and a teacher or other employee of the school corporation may not serve on its board [2].
  • What the board does not control: the State Board of Education adopts statewide academic standards [14], the General Assembly sets the state school funding formula in the state budget [15], and voucher (Choice Scholarship) eligibility is set by state law [16].

The job in full — what the Indiana Code puts in it, what it pays, and what to ask a candidate.

About Noblesville Schools

  • Noblesville Schools serves the Noblesville area of Hamilton County. Dr. Dan Hile is superintendent [24]. Board member Joe Forgey's campaign announcement refers to the district's "10,000-plus students" [25]. A July 2026 letter writer opposing the referendum said enrollment has fallen by more than 500 students since 2018; the district has not been quoted on that figure in the sources reviewed [26].
  • The Board of Trustees has five members, all elected at large: Christi Crosser (president), Stephanie Lambert, Joe Forgey, Bret Richardson and Misti Ray [27, 28].
  • Two at-large seats are on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, matching the state list [6]. The district said three candidates are running for two open seats: Denise Dye, Joe Forgey (incumbent) and Misti Ray (incumbent) [29]. Forgey (on the board since January 2019) and Ray (since January 2023) hold the two seats up this year [27, 25]. Crosser, Lambert and Richardson were elected in 2020 or 2024 and are not on the ballot [27]. All three candidates are listed as Republicans on the state list [6].
  • Referendum: the board approved placing an operating referendum (Public Question 3) on the ballot at its June 9, 2026 meeting [24]. The 2018 referendum, at 37 cents per $100 of assessed value, expires at the end of 2026. The district says it brings in about $25 million a year, roughly 20% of the operating budget. The new question asks for a maximum of 57 cents and up to $43.8 million a year for eight years [30]. The district says the higher maximum is needed because the 2025 property-tax law (SEA 1) reduces school revenue [30].
  • Rate commitment and cost: in August the board adopted a resolution committing to a 38.5-cent rate in 2027 and increases of no more than 4 cents a year. The district estimates the average increase for a $350,000 home at $1.88 a month over eight years, down from its June estimate of $2.30 [28, 31, 24]. The state-required ballot language shows a $955 annual increase for a $350,000 median home; the district says that figure assumes no existing referendum and the full 57-cent rate [30, 32].
  • Possible cuts: in his annual Noblesville Chamber State of the Schools presentation (posted by the district in early October 2026), Hile listed what could be cut if the referendum fails. The list included about 20% of staff (for example, 145 teachers), STEM and career courses, elementary specials, arts programs, school resource officers and counselors, larger class sizes, and the closing of an elementary school [33].
  • Referendum debate: the OneZone Chamber endorsed the referendum [34]. Cody White, a Noblesville resident and state director of Americans for Prosperity-Indiana, wrote that he will vote no. He argued that the 2018 levy was meant to expire and that the board should have planned for it [35]. The district says it has lowered its share of the tax rate for seven straight years, frozen administrator pay and cut costs [30, 32].
  • Staffing: in August 2026 the district reported that teacher turnover fell by half over five years and teacher retention is above 93%. It credits salaries paid in part with referendum money, among other factors [36].
  • Forums: Noblesville High School student journalists held a candidate forum on Sept. 21, 2026 with Dye, Ray and Forgey; it was livestreamed and recorded [37, 29]. The recording could not be reviewed for this profile. Letters to The Reporter have tied the board race to the referendum: one urged votes for Forgey and Ray [38], and another urged a no vote on the referendum and a vote for Dye only [39].

At Large

3 candidates · 2 seats

Denise M Dye

Republican

Challenger for one of two at-large seats, listed as a Republican on the state list [29, 6].

How Dye got on the ballot

  • Filed as a candidate for the Noblesville Schools Board of Trustees [29]. Listed as a Republican on the state list [6].

Dye's endorsements and funding

  • Gary Vaught's letter to the editor urged voters to back Dye [39]. No campaign finance reports were found.

What we could not find about Dye

  • No campaign website, social media page, news profile or questionnaire from Dye was found. Her background and positions are unknown.
  • She took part in the Sept. 21 student-led forum, but the recording could not be reviewed.
  • No statement from Dye on the 2026 operating referendum was found. The letter linking her to opposition to the referendum is a third party's view.
  • No statement from Dye herself was found. In an Oct. 9, 2026 letter to The Reporter, resident Gary Vaught criticized the current board's handling of referendum revenue and urged a vote for Dye only. He wrote that Dye "promises to get to the bottom of" how referendum revenue above the 2018 projection was spent. That is his description, not a statement from Dye [39].

Sources for Dye

Joe Forgey

Republican

Incumbent seeking a third term; retired pediatric dentist and board member since January 2019, listed as a Republican [27, 25, 6].

Forgey's background

  • Retired founding partner of Pediatric Dentistry of Noblesville; graduate of Butler University and the Indiana University School of Dentistry [27].
  • Elected in November 2018 and took office in January 2019 [27]. Serves on the Noblesville Parks Board and has coached youth basketball and soccer [27, 25].
  • His children attended Noblesville Schools and some of his grandchildren attend now [27].

Forgey's positions

Budget & taxes

  • His announcement cited a property-tax rate cut seven years in a row, the state's highest school credit rating, faster debt payoff and the district's Dollars + $ense finance website, and said he wants to be "smart with every tax dollar" [25].

Academics

  • Said his goal is "to make sure our kids are ready for whatever comes next," pointing to the district's STEM and Advanced Placement recognitions and workforce-development programs [25].

Teachers & staff

  • Lists recruiting and keeping staff during a labor shortage, and hiring Superintendent Dan Hile, among the board's accomplishments during his terms [25].

School safety

  • Lists increased school safety, suicide prevention and mental health support as accomplishments [25].

How Forgey would run the office

  • Lists facility renovations and expansions and a district solar power initiative among the work he wants to continue [25].

Forgey on the current officeholder

  • Is a current board member. He calls Noblesville Schools "a model district" and says he is running "to keep this momentum going" [25]. He is on the board that placed the referendum on the ballot and adopted the August rate commitment [24, 28].

How Forgey got on the ballot

  • Announced a bid for a third term in May 2026 [25]. Listed as a Republican on the state list [6].

Forgey's endorsements and funding

  • Endorsed by Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen [25].
  • A Sept. 24 letter from Chris Hartig, a Noblesville Democratic precinct chair, supported Forgey and Ray [38].

What we could not find about Forgey

  • No direct statement from Forgey on the 2026 referendum or SEA 1 was found beyond the board's collective actions. His remarks at the Sept. 21 forum could not be reviewed.
  • His campaign has a Facebook page ('Joe Forgey for School Board'), which was not reviewed.
  • No campaign finance reports were found.

Sources for Forgey

Misti Ray

Republican

Incumbent seeking a second term; Realtor and former substitute teacher on the board since January 2023, listed as a Republican [27, 6].

Ray's background

  • Realtor (since 2009) and cosmetologist who has worked as a substitute teacher in the district; Noblesville High School graduate [27, 40].
  • Elected in November 2022 and took office in January 2023 [27]. Has served as a PTO president and on district curriculum and reading review committees [40, 27].
  • Parent of students in the district [40].

Ray's positions

Teachers & staff

  • Says "attracting and retaining excellent teachers and staff is essential to strong schools" [40].

Transparency & community input

  • Says she will keep focusing on "partnership, trust, transparency & communication" among administrators, teachers, parents and the community [41].

Budget & taxes

  • Lists "responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars" among her commitments [40].

Academics

  • Lists strong academics and opportunities for students "regardless of the path they choose after graduation" [40].

How Ray would run the office

  • Says she wants to be a voice for teachers, parents and residents without school-age children [41].

Ray on the current officeholder

  • Is a current board member. She says the board has "made meaningful progress" strengthening partnerships with parents and teachers, but "there is still work to do" [41]. She says voters can expect her "to continue asking questions" [41]. She is on the board that placed the referendum on the ballot and adopted the August rate commitment [24, 28].

How Ray got on the ballot

  • Running for re-election [29, 40]. Listed as a Republican on the state list [6].

Ray's endorsements and funding

  • A Sept. 24 letter from Chris Hartig, a Noblesville Democratic precinct chair, supported Ray and Forgey, saying Ray "is not afraid to ask the tough questions" [38].
  • Her campaign site takes donations; no contribution totals were found [41].

What we could not find about Ray

  • No direct statement from Ray on the 2026 referendum or SEA 1 was found. Her remarks at the Sept. 21 forum could not be reviewed.

Ray's campaign website

Sources for Ray

On the same ballot

  • Noblesville Schools operating referendum

    School referendum · Noblesville Schools

    A new levy of up to $0.57 per $100 and $43.8 million a year for 8 years, as the 2018 levy ($0.37) ends after 2026. Ballot: +$955 a year for a $350,000 median home, counted as if no levy existed.

Forums and debates

Public events where you can see the candidates, from the hosts' own announcements. Check the host's page for changes before you go.

  • Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 6 p.m. · Candidate forum (held)

    Candidate forum: Noblesville School Board and Indiana House District 29 · hosted by Noblesville Chamber of Commerce

    Noblesville City Hall Council Chambers, 16 S. 10th St., Noblesville

    Details (Noblesville Chamber of Commerce)

Key points

  • Also on this ballot for the same district: Noblesville Schools operating referendum. A new levy of up to $0.57 per $100 and $43.8 million a year for 8 years, as the 2018 levy ($0.37) ends after 2026. Ballot: +$955 a year for a $350,000 median home, counted as if no levy existed. (Noblesville Schools)
  • Two at-large seats are on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, matching the state list. The district said three candidates are running for two open seats: Denise Dye, Joe Forgey (incumbent) and Misti Ray (incumbent). (Indiana Election Division)
  • Referendum: the board approved placing an operating referendum (Public Question 3) on the ballot at its June 9, 2026 meeting. The 2018 referendum, at 37 cents per $100 of assessed value, expires at the end of 2026. (The Reporter)

Sources

Researched Saturday, October 10, 2026

  1. Indiana Code 20-26-5-4: Specific powers of governing body (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
  2. 2026 Indiana Candidate Guide (School Board Offices) (Indiana Election Division)
  3. 800 school board seats are up for election in Indiana (Chalkbeat Indiana / WFYI)
  4. Why there are no education elections on your primary ballot (Chalkbeat Indiana)
  5. Indiana Code 20-26-4-7: Compensation of governing body members (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
  6. 2026 General Election Candidate List (Indiana Election Division)
  7. Indiana Code 20-26-5-4.5: Selection and discharge of employees (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
  8. School Tax Levy Referendum (Indiana Department of Local Government Finance)
  9. Indiana Code 20-29-6-4: Subjects of collective bargaining (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
  10. Obscene, or just objectionable? Here's how Indiana schools are tackling library book complaints (Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism / Indiana Capital Chronicle)
  11. Indiana Code 20-33-8-19: Expulsion appeals (FindLaw (Indiana Code))
  12. Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-1: Open Door Law policy (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
  13. What We Do (Indiana Public Access Counselor)
  14. Indiana Code 20-31-3-1: State academic standards (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
  15. Indiana K-12 State Tuition Support Annual Report FY2023 (Indiana Department of Education)
  16. Indiana lawmakers expand voucher eligibility, increase school funding in budget (Chalkbeat Indiana)
  17. Noblesville Schools seeks community's reapproval of operating referendum (The Reporter)
  18. Forgey announces Noblesville School Board reelection bid, endorsed by Mayor Chris Jensen (The Reporter)
  19. Noblesville reader questions narrative around school operating referendum (letter) (The Reporter)
  20. School Board (Noblesville Schools)
  21. Noblesville School Board commits to lower, incremental referendum rates (The Reporter)
  22. Noblesville High School students to lead school board candidate forum (The Reporter)
  23. Referendum 2026 (Noblesville Schools)
  24. Noblesville Schools lowers referendum rate & launches new tax levy calculator (The Reporter)
  25. Superintendent Hile makes case for Noblesville operating referendum (The Reporter)
  26. Noblesville Schools Announces Potential Cuts, School Closure if Referendum is Not Continued (Noblesville Schools)
  27. OneZone Chamber announces endorsement of five Hamilton County school referendums (The Reporter)
  28. Noblesville taxpayers kept their end of the deal (guest column) (The Reporter)
  29. Noblesville Schools reduces teacher turnover by 50%, announces 93% teacher retention rate (The Reporter)
  30. Noblesville High School journalists interview school board candidates (The Reporter)
  31. Beyond party lines in school board elections (letter) (The Reporter)
  32. Noblesville voter explains why he cannot support another referendum (letter) (The Reporter)
  33. About Me (Misti Ray campaign)
  34. Why Misti? (Misti Ray campaign)
What's included
the U.S. House, statewide offices, every Indiana House and Senate district on the ballot, Indiana's statewide public questions and judicial retention questions, and county, township, city, town and school board races from the Indiana Election Division's candidate list.
Everything else
Local races (county, city, school board, judges) and anything else on your ballot are on your official sample ballot: IndianaVoters.in.gov.
Candidate lists
As of Sunday, October 18, 2026.
At the polls
Indiana law lets you bring a list of candidates and public questions into the polling place, including one stored on your phone, as long as you don't electioneer. IC 3-11-8-18.5

This is not an official ballot. Confirm your registration, polling place and ballot with your election office through vote.gov.