WEST LAFAYETTE – West Lafayette Community School Corp superintendent Rocky Killion will speak with the New Chauncey Neighborhood Association Wednesday, March 24 about the May 4th referendum at the Morton Community Center.

The session will begin at 7 p.m. with Killion discussing the referendum. Following this overview, the association will open the floor to questions from the attendees.

A moderated open discussion will follow the formal question and answer session so that all opinions and thoughts can be shared, according to a New Chauncey Neighborhood Association e-newsletter.

The announcement also includeded Killion’s public message about referendum below.

West Lafayette Community School Corporation:

A Tradition of Excellence Worth Continuing

The West Lafayette Community School Corporation (WLCSC) is truly one of the finest school systems in Indiana.  It's been that way for generations.  Although the school district would love to claim all the credit, we know our success is due to many factors - including being located in a university community where families value education, create high expectations for their children and support the work of their schools.  West Lafayette parents expect high quality schools for their children, yet our schools benefit the community as a whole by helping businesses attract excellent employees and keeping property values up for all residents. 

The New Chauncey neighborhood continues to be an important part of our school district.  The patrons of the New Chauncey area have helped the West Lafayette Community School Corporation maintain its tradition of academic excellence over the years.  As superintendent, I am very grateful to the positive support we continue to receive from the New Chauncey neighborhood.

For all those still considering whether or not to support the referendum question on May 4, here are four points to consider:

1) West Lafayette Schools help make our community a great place to live.

The fabric of a great community is woven with many attributes, but one of the most important is how we position ourselves for a vibrant future. For decades, West Lafayette has successfully planned for the future. Adequately funded schools help us build for what is on the horizon in West Lafayette and pave the way for our success.  

2) West Lafayette Schools are critical to economic development of our community.

Whether it is staff and faculty retention, or the ability to attract the best and brightest researchers to its campus, West Lafayette Schools' excellent academic, artistic and extra-curricular successes are what those associated with Purdue University seek. New businesses in the Purdue Research Park indicate the quality of the WLCSC is a key reason for locating here.

3) Despite the difficult economy, the success of West Lafayette Schools is one reason why West Lafayette property remains in high demand.

A recent local study of real estate values found that homes in the West Lafayette Community School district sold for 19 to 31 percent more than comparable homes outside of the West Lafayette district. Real estate agents and appraisers confirm this is a result of the academic excellence of West Lafayette Schools.  This is good news for the Chauncey Neighborhood as well as for all of our school neighborhoods.

4) West Lafayette Schools are a great value and perform at the highest levels.

In the last year, WLCSC was recognized by BusinessWeek for best overall academic performance in Indiana and honored as one of seven schools in the state to earn a silver medal from US News & World Report. Two of our schools were given the Four-Star School Award from the Indiana Department of Education, and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce recently named West Lafayette a "Best Buy High School."

The problem lies not with our schools, but with our state revenue.  WLCSC, as well as all Indiana Schools, will not be able to maintain its current academic, co- and extra-curricular programs unless we find additional sources of revenue.  WLCSC class sizes will grow from just over 20 students to more than 40 per classroom.  Without additional revenue, the state's new funding formula will force WLCSC into the bottom 2% of schools statewide in spending per pupil, and class sizes will increase.
 WLCSC will be forced to run schools with $60,000 less per classroom than Indianapolis schools.

Some opposed to the referendum question have suggested that we cut or diminish our fine arts, co-curricular and extra-curriculum programs.  However, many of our patrons have asked us to consider all other options, like a referendum question, before making these kinds of decisions.  As we see what is happening around us and throughout the state, school districts either have to cut programs or find new revenue since our state leaders continue to cut public education funding.  Our school district leadership has decided to ask our community which do they support.  On May 4, our school district community will decide to either maintain or cut our current award winning programs.  This, indeed, is a community decision.

If you would like more information about the referendum question, please visit www.isupportwlcsc.com .  This website provides more detailed information plus the financial study written and presented by Dr. DeBoer and Dr. Hummels.   I am also available to speak at any neighborhood function.  You can contact me at 765-269-4002.