Why vote ‘yes’ on Westfield Washington Schools referendum?

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Dear Editor:

As I completed voting this morning, I took time to reflect on the importance of voting in this important midterm election. Along with the political offices up for a vote, we had the opportunity to vote for three Public Questions. The most important one in my mind was the referendum for Westfield Schools.

When property taxes became based on 1 percent of the assessed value, the formula for school funding changed. Schools were told if you want more than the basics, use referendums, and they did. With the passage of SEA1 by the state legislature to give homeowners some relief with their property taxes, schools, cities, towns, and other taxing bodies lost tax revenue. Now, all local government bodies must determine what they must do to meet their budget needs with the reduction of tax revenue they will receive from property taxes.

The Westfield-Washington School Board has determined that it is necessary to ask the voters to approve a referendum if they are to continue their successful mission to make Westfield students “Life Ready” when they graduate.

Two of our grandsons attended Westfield Schools for all their K-12 classes. They both played soccer while in high school, so we enjoyed many exciting games, including some in the sectional playoffs. We have many fond memories to be certain. They both graduated from Westfield High School and attended college classes at Ivy Tech and Purdue. Both have been successful since finishing their education and going into jobs in the private sector.

They both were made “Life Ready” with the education and life experiences they received in the Westfield Washington School System. We are so proud of both.

There is much data provided by the school district measuring student achievements compared with other school districts within Indiana as well as nationwide, and the fact that they graduate “Life Ready.”

However, I would like to give you some real-life examples I observed while on a tour of the high school during sixth period with former Superintendent Dr. Paul Kaiser a couple years ago:

• In one classroom we entered, there was a freshman girl using computer technology to create a logo for a local business as one of her class projects. The result was outstanding.
• In another area of the school, we were able to watch several students building a wooden structure as part of a trades class.
• In the third area, we watched as an exercise/physical fitness class was wrapping up for the day.
• In an encounter with a senior, we asked what she was working on and she replied, “My college application.”
• Finally, in an open area near a group of classrooms, approximately a hundred students were all intently watching, and recording with their cell phones, two of their fellow students, originally from Venezuela, performing several native dances for different occasions while in the native dress of their former home country. Later I was stunned to learn that over 70 different native languages are spoken by Westfield students. Truly a cultural melting pot.

The amazing fact is none of these students had to be there for any of these activities, which were all conducted on their personal time with dedicated educators and staff in support of their efforts.

NOW, think about how that one-hour tour might have been seen had there been no referendum funding to support these activities and more.

We have a tremendous school district with outstanding teachers and dedicated staff, and we will continue to support their efforts. We no longer have any family members attending Westfield Schools, but we voted YES for the referendum. We encourage you to do so also.

We owe it our future generations having them to be the best they can be.

Joseph Plankis
Westfield