Westfield Superintendent Dr. John Atha: referendum decision is up to residents alone

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Dear Editor:

As we approach the Nov. 3 election, I want to share a few final thoughts about the Westfield Washington Schools operating referendum and what it means for our students, staff, and community.

Throughout this process, we’ve striven to provide transparent, accurate information about our district’s finances, the proposed referendum, and its potential impact on taxpayers. I have spent countless hours meeting with residents, answering questions, reviewing numbers, and explaining the challenges we face. My goal has never been to tell people what to think, but to ensure they have the facts needed to make an informed decision.

As I have said before, I do not want to run a referendum.

I recognize that no one wants to pay more taxes. Our families face rising costs, and asking our community to consider additional financial support is not something we take lightly. However, as superintendent, I have a responsibility to be honest about the financial realities our schools face.

Westfield continues to grow, yet changes in state funding and property tax legislation have created significant financial pressures. Today, Westfield Washington Schools receives approximately $558 less per student in state funding than the statewide average, representing nearly $6 million annually. Property tax caps and recent legislative changes have further reduced the revenue available to operate our schools.

We have worked hard to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars through efficiencies, restructuring, and cost-saving measures. However, we cannot continually absorb enrollment growth, inflation, and reduced revenue without eventually affecting the educational opportunities we provide.

This proposed eight-year operating referendum would support school safety, student services, competitive staff compensation, manageable class sizes, student supports, and the programs that help prepare our students to be Life Ready. These dollars are for instruction and learning, not construction and buildings.

$873 messaging is misleading

I also want to directly address the $873 annual tax increase being circulated in recent campaign mailers. Presenting this figure as the increase Westfield homeowners will pay is misleading and inaccurate.

• The proposed referendum replaces our existing $0.17 operating referendum rather than being added to it.
• Individual tax impacts vary based on assessed property values, deductions, and applicable tax caps.

I encourage residents to use the district’s tax calculator to understand their individual circumstances.

A local decision; no status quo

Indiana established school referendums so local communities could decide what level of investment they wanted to make in their public schools. That decision belongs to Westfield residents, who understand our schools and community and deserve accurate information when making this choice.

I respect that residents have different perspectives on taxes and school funding. However, it is important to understand that a no vote is not the status quo. Without additional operating revenue, we will face increasingly difficult decisions affecting staffing, class sizes, safety, student support, and educational opportunities.

As a Westfield resident, a parent of three Westfield graduates, and your superintendent, I understand this decision from several perspectives. As a parent, I have experienced the value of our schools, and I see firsthand the return on our community’s investment through our students’ accomplishments, our educators’ dedication, and the opportunities available to our children. Excellent schools have helped make Westfield an excellent community.

Early voting continues through Saturday in Westfield, with Election Day next Tuesday, Nov. 3. I encourage every resident to review the facts, ask questions, and exercise their right to vote.

These are our schools, our students, and our community. The decision about their future belongs to Westfield.

Dr. John Atha
Superintendent, Westfield Washington Schools