Strong Foundations for Bright Futures
Budget Vote & Bond Referendum: April 15
A proposal to invest in our students' future
Westfield residents will have the opportunity to vote April 15 on a comprehensive bond proposal to address the needs of our school buildings. On the same ballot, voters will be asked to approve an additional spending proposal for the district’s operating needs for the 2025-2026 school year. Together, these financial tools reflect the Westfield Public School District’s unwavering commitment to maintaining safe, sustainable, and future-ready schools.
Proposed projects for bond funding emerged from a thorough assessment of all district buildings and grounds by professional advisors, as well as extensive input from the community. These projects aim to solve pressing needs for buildings and instructional space.
Without more space, WPS cannot expand to full day kindergarten. That foundational programming is such a strong expectation that of nearly 600 public school districts in New Jersey, only seven do not have full day kindergarten or a funded plan to start it. Westfield is in that minority.
THIS PORTAL HAS BEEN UPDATED
March 12 - Budget & Bond Tax Impact Estimators, School by School breakdown, additional Videos, updated FAQ
March 6 - Budget Tax Impact Estimator now available. (Bond Tax Impact Estimator coming soon)
March 5 - Short videos added to help you learn more about the budget and bond referendum, including how to vote by mail.
March 5 - Ballot language added for Additional Funding Proposal for Annual Operating Budget. (Bond Referendum Ballot Language coming soon)
Feb 28 - Links for Remote Sessions added to Community Engagement Schedule
Feb 25 - Community Engagement Presentation
Feb 19 - Board Meeting Presentation Parts I + II
Feb 11 - Mail-in Ballot Instructions
Feb 10 - Community Engagement Schedule
Jan 29 - 2025-2026 District Operating Budget
Jan. 22 - Long-term Solutions, Full Day Kindergarten, How to Vote, and Terminology
Check back often, as this portal will be regularly updated with new details about the bond referendum and the 2025-2026 school district operating budget.
Building Needs
Improved function and efficiency of heating/cooling systems in all schools
Improved air conditioning for gyms, cafeterias and kitchens (Intermediate and High Schools)
Modifications for safety and accessibility
Modernized learning environments
Continued support for high-quality education for every student
Instructional Space Needs
Repurposed rooms to meet modern needs, especially for special education
Increased space to accommodate increased enrollment
Added classrooms to enable expansion to full day kindergarten
Renovated media centers (Intermediate and High Schools) and auditorium (High School)
More space to reduce the chances of cart-based art and music elementary schools
What is 'State Debt Service Aid?'
A special state program helps school districts make facility improvements, such as media center renovations and classroom modifications. To qualify for this financial assistance, a district must use bond funding. As the school district uses local property taxes to pay off that debt, the state also contributes “debt service aid” to pay a portion.
This debt service aid comes from the state’s annual budget – a funding source every taxpayer pays into. Tapping into this aid would bring taxpayer funds back to Westfield.
Only school districts that use bonds for facility improvements qualify for debt service aid. If the same projects are paid for from the district’s operating budget, there is no debt service aid.
A BOND REFERENDUM
A bond referendum asks voters to authorize the sale of bonds. A school district can sell bonds to generate up-front funding for large-scale building improvements. Those funds cannot be used for daily operating costs. Property taxes are used to buy back the bonds. For public entities, this is similar to a homeowner’s use of a home equity loan to renovate a kitchen or build an addition.
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET
The annual budget funds the daily expenses of running Westfield’s schools, from salaries and supplies to heat and water. General maintenance and minor upgrades are part of this plan, but there are two reasons to finance large-scale projects outside of it: That approach keeps operating funds focused most directly on education, and it also qualifies the district for state debt service aid.
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS
WPS manages 10 buildings with continual repairs and renovations. The bond referendum proposes a path beyond short-term fixes, with an infusion of state funding much more significant than the annual budget gets. An investment in long-term solutions can ensure safe, modern learning spaces that truly support the needs of students and staff.
MULTI-PART VOTE ON TUE., APRIL 15
February 2025: Bond referendum plan finalized, after state debt service aid is determined.
April 15, 2025: Public vote on bond proposal, operating budget, and school board candidates.
If voters approve: Construction 2026-28, with the goal of full day kindergarten estimated to begin in 2028-29.
Timeline
