Editor,
We are writing in support of the Westfield Washington Schools operating referendum, Public Question No. 3 on the ballot. Our board unanimously adopted a resolution in June 2026 to put this question before our community. We understood the fiscal impact of state funding shortfalls and changes, and the negative impact on our students. We are counting on our community to unite and vote yes to support Westfield Washington Schools, vote yes to support our excellent community.
Voting yes will ensure we can attract and retain excellent teachers. Our starting salary is about 10 to 12 percent below neighboring districts. The growth in our district requires more teachers to support current classroom sizes and maintain academic success. Voting yes will place a trained school resource officer in every building. This would significantly increase the SRO presence WWS has today and change the current funding model in our partnership with the City of Westfield and the Westfield Police Department, providing $2.43 million to the city and allowing it to reinvest approximately $1 million to directly support our broader community’s public safety. Voting yes will increase student support and addr...