Board authorizes auditor talks to size a potential referendum after legislative funding changes

The Westfield Washington School Board voted May 12 to allow district leadership and legal counsel to engage the Hamilton County auditor to calculate the levy and median home value that would be necessary if the board later decides to place an operating referendum on a November ballot.

Superintendent Dr. Atha told the board that the district relies on an operating referendum approved and renewed by voters (2010, 2016 and 2022) and that recent changes enacted during the 2025 Indiana General Assembly—specifically a provision in Senate Enrolled Act 1 (2025)—require the district to re-evaluate the levy rate needed to sustain spending priorities such as small class sizes, educator benefits and school safety investments.

"Because WWF remains among the lowest funded school districts in Indiana on a per pupil basis, referendum funding has been essential," Dr. Atha said, urging the board to permit administrators and counsel to verify numbers with the county auditor in order to meet statutory filing deadlines. He stressed the authorization is a procedural step and does not obligate the district to adopt a referendum resolution or place a question on the ballot.

Board members who spoke said the issue had been discussed in prior work sessions and thanked staff for preparing public-facing FAQs and website materials. The motion to authorize the engagement passed by voice vote with no recorded dissents.

Administrators said they expect to return to the board with calculations and a recommendation after the auditor confirms levy and median-value figures; any decision to proceed with a referendum would be presented at a future board meeting for formal action.