Letter to the Editor

As Westfield residents prepare to go to the polls on Tuesday, April 16 to vote on an additional spending proposal in the 2024-2025 school district operating budget, I want to share with you how the process differs from last year and why this continued investment in our students and our schools is vital.

We currently have 5,982 students in grades Pre-K-12 supported by our school district operating budget. In partnership with families and the community, our mission is to educate all students to reach their highest potential as productive, well-rounded, and engaged citizens who value individual differences and embrace diversity.

As educators, it is a responsibility we take very seriously. Our sincere commitment to the success of all students led every conversation in the development of the 2024-2025 budget, as we worked to create a fiscally responsible spending plan that moves the district forward in meaningful ways. 

On March 26, the Board of Education approved the base budget for the 2024-2025 school year with a tax levy increase of 2.62%. This base budget allows the school district to:

• Maintain all current programming, including visual and performing arts and athletics programs,

• Upgrade technology education equipment and offerings,

• Provide funding for curriculum writing and professional development, along with curriculum management software to increase ease of navigation and access for the community,

• Begin replacing classroom furniture,

• Fund instructional media center materials,

• Introduce a staff wellness program, and

• Add staff to create two new Special Education in-district programs.

When the Board made the decision in June 2022 to put the current year’s school district operating budget before voters for the first time in more than a decade, we explained at that time that years of a state-mandated 2% cap on tax levy increases had become unsustainable. That remains the case today, as our costs continue to rise above the 2% cap.  Even with state aid and allowable adjustments, this makes it impossible to not only maintain educational continuity, but also provide crucial improvements to enhance student learning.

With that in mind, on March 26, the Board also approved an additional spending proposal to go before Westfield voters on April 16, with a tax levy increase of 1.49%.

When voters go to the polls, they will see on the ballot a spending proposal in the amount of $1,675,397 that encompasses funding for:

• The retention of 7 current staff members whose positions were not able to be provided for in the base budget,

• 3 elementary teachers for enrichment that targets computer science and design thinking standards for all K-5 students,

• 1 high school teacher to support additional electives,

• 1 special services supervisor,

• 1 assistant buildings and grounds supervisor,

• 2 maintenance / groundskeepers,

• 3 part-time security personnel, and

• Enhanced compensation for paraprofessionals.

If approved, the additional spending proposal combined with the base budget, equates to an average annual tax increase of $347 from the current school year, based on the assessed value and school tax of the average Westfield home. That’s $29 per month for the average taxpayer.

Additionally and importantly, at the forefront of the development of the 2024-2025 school district operating budget was the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, the district’s roadmap that defines our values and priorities and specifies our action steps to achieve our stated goals and objectives over the next 5 years  Please visit the Strategic Plan portal at www.westfieldnjk12.org to learn more.

As Westfield voters prepare to go to the polls on April 16, consider this:

• 92% of the school district’s operating budget relies on the local tax levy.

• 78% of the operating budget is spent on staff salaries and benefits.

• Teachers and paraprofessionals account for more than 75% of our staffing.

More than 80% of the 2024-2025 school district operating budget supports classroom learning, special services, athletics, the arts, and co-curricular programs for Westfield students.This Tradition of Excellence is proven year after year by the success of our graduates. Ninety-eight percent of Westfield High School seniors graduate, while 97% of them pursue further education.  Our visual and performing arts programs and athletics teams continue to win awards and championships.  And we will never stop striving for a school culture in which all students and staff feel safe, welcome, and supported.

In order to make an informed decision, I encourage all Westfield voters to visit the April Budget Vote portal at www.westfieldnjk12.org, which includes the user-friendly budget, ballot language for the additional spending proposal, a Budget Snapshot infographic, and much more.  I also urge all of you to go to the polls on Tuesday, April 16 to cast your vote.

With greatest appreciation,

Raymond A. González, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Westfield Public Schools