Editor, Times-Union: This letter is written by the members of Warsaw Community Schools Board of Trustees. As elected officials representing Warsaw Community Schools, we have a “dual challenge” as follows: First, we are entrusted by the Warsaw community with providing for excellence in education for our students in a safe and conducive learning environment; and second, we are charged with the task of doing so in the most cost effective manner possible, to avoid undue burden upon the taxpayers in our community. As members of the school board, we can assure you that we take each of these responsibilities very seriously, and we have endeavored to fulfill our obligations with the school capital funding referendum that we have presented to registered voters in the Warsaw Community School District for vote on May 5. As board members, we are held accountable to maintain the tradition of high quality within Warsaw Community Schools. In this regard, we have spent the last few years considering and refining proposed projects that will benefit our students and provide for a proper and safe educational environment in the future. The result of our efforts is a proposal to combat overcrowding and aging facilities by recommending the following improvements to our school system: 1. Build a new Lincoln Elementary School that will provide a technology-ready learning environment while eliminating overcrowding and parking lot trailers as a place of learning. 2. Renovate Washington Elementary School with student-based upgrades that provide for effective and safe learning environments for students in a facility that will serve our community for decades into the future. 3 Renovate Edgewood Middle School to address structural issues and provide classrooms that are free of disruptions and properly address safety issues created by the open concept of the school at the time of construction in 1975. As stated previously, we are also very aware of our obligation to be careful stewards of the funds that are entrusted to us by our community, and in this regard we have refined our recommendations to these key decisions that we believe are critically important to maintaining our high quality schools. If the referendum is successful, Warsaw will continue to have a school tax rate that is well below the state average and also one of the lowest tax rates in our region. We are hopeful that each of you has taken advantage of one of the opportunities that have been made available to learn about these necessary improvements to our schools. Our school administrators, board and community leaders have worked together to host community forums, speak at community-organized events, and participate in one-on-one sessions with community members. We have worked very diligently to present this referendum in a transparent and collaborative process, and we are hopeful that you feel well informed with respect to the funding referendum. As your elected officials entrusted with providing for the educational welfare and safety of children within the Warsaw Community School District, we urge you to vote in favor of the referendum. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns, please make arrangements to speak with Dr. David Hoffert or any of the board members. As stated on the orange signs that are displayed in many yards throughout our community, a vote “yes” is a vote for building our future – the future of our schools, community and most importantly, our students. Respectfully Submitted, Warsaw Community Schools Board of Trustees Jennifer Tandy, President Matt Dick, Vice President Randy Polston, Secretary Jay Baumgartner Dan Metzger Curt Hermann Heather Reichenbach
