Following the financial footsteps of fellow Hamilton County public school corporations of Noblesville, Hamilton Southeastern and Carmel Clay, Westfield Washington Schools (WWS) is asking voters to approve an operating fund referendum to help replenish monies lost from recent state funding cuts.

Westfield Washington Schools is asking voters to pay $4.6 million over seven years - a tax rate impact of $0.23 per $100 of assessed value.

"It replenishes lost state funding and allows us to keep the programs and staff we currently have," said Nick Verhoff, WWS director of business. "It's not to add additional programs or higher salaries."

While the county's other large school districts have already approved operating referendums, Verhoff said Westfield waited as long as it could to ask for the lowest possible amount from the community.

"We started planning in January but waited to make sure we could make all the cuts we could before going to the public. The cuts are starting to affect the budget positively, but the economy hasn't turned around," he said. "We are pleased to be in a county that supports education. They know it comes at a cost. Our community has higher demands from their school system than other communities do."

By 2011, WWS will have lost $7 million in state funding. With the referendum, the district wants to replace a portion but not all of the funds lost. Westfield receives $5,006 per student in state support while the average school in Indiana receives $5,864 - funding across the state ranges from $4,900 to $9,000. With an approved referendum and state funding, WWS will receive $5,700 per student.

WWS Executive Director of Learning Systems Dave Mundy said the operating referendum will help the district control class, prevent layoffs and teacher cuts, keep WWS students competitive, support a growing enrollment, and maintain the district's high level of technology.
© 2011 The Times