We are Whitko

Whenever issues regarding funding come up in our current Indiana economic climate, individuals begin to speculate and rumors start flying. Let me answer a couple of those rumors.

Whitko is closing its doors!

This simple answer in no we are not. We are far from that. If we talk about the maximum amount of the referendum we are only talking about 12% of what it takes in general fund to run our schools. Yes, we need to address the funding shortfall created during this economic downturn. Yes it is serious but the sky is not falling and we are Whitko so we will figure out what we need to do in solving this issue.



If this referendum passes we'll just create a budget that uses the maximum amount.

If the administration was so inclined the Board you elected would never allow that. In fact the draft budget we are working on is balanced for 2011, meaning that no additional tax would be levied in 2011. That balance would only be changed if the state further reduced what they said they are going to fund. The Board and administration are committed to balanced budgets. Our problem continues to be the politics of when the state will say you are reduced by a certain amount. We simply, by law, cannot reduce significant amounts once the school year starts. I hate to be pessimistic but I must say that politically I do not expect any reductions to be announced until after the November elections. The timing if that occurs will make it extremely difficult to make expenditure changes on the fly.

I obviously hope you will support our referendum and vote YES on the question in November but I also realize you may choose not to support the referendum. My desire is simply that you consider the facts shared previously on this blog and that will appear as we look at various options. I only want you to make an informed choice. These are your Whitko Schools help us make them what you want them to be.

Referendum

Did you every have one of those tasks you did not want to do but knew it was the right thing?


The School Board and I are faced with just that situation. We do not want to ask for a tax increase but yet we know we must for the good of all our children and the community they will grow up in.


Last year we reduced our general fund budget by more than 10%. This was due to state funding shortfalls and we all know the economy is just not doing great right now. That 10% means when school opens next fall we will have 26 fewer adults trying to do the same or even better at providing the quality education and services our students deserve.

Now the state hints they may reduce us another 5 to 10%. We simply cannot provide what our children deserve with that hanging over our heads. Of course we will continue to look for further savings but there comes a point where we simply need more funding to be able to “Keep our Schools Excellent for All”.


That is why I recommended to the Board a referendum that would provide a property tax option to make up what the state shorts us in the funding. More details will be shared in public meetings and mailing but until then I have attached a couple items that will answer some questions regarding the upcoming referendum.

Please support our kids and help us provide the education they need for their futures.


Email questions or comments to steve.clason@whitko.org

Questions and Answers About the Referendum

How we got here and what we've done.  Watch for this to be updated!