Key Takeaways: The district received better-than-expected assessed valuation numbers and plans to keep the referendum tax rate at 37 cents next year. The Education Fund remains stable, while the Operations Fund faces greater long-term financial pressure. The district is preparing for the upcoming referendum vote through community meetings and outreach focused on the district’s finances and how referendum funding supports schools and programs. The board interviewed three candidates for the school board’s appointment to the West Lafayette Public Library Board. Each candidate offered a different perspective on representing the schools and strengthening communication and collaboration between the library and school community.
Agenda with links to board documents
Topic Timestamps: YouTube Recording
- 0:22 School Resource Officer Program Update
- 5:02 West Lafayette Elementary School Data and Goals
- 17:57 Public Comments on CPR education and Library Appointment
- 24:09 Consent Agenda
- 24:46 Superintendent Update
- 30:16 CFO Report
- 31:03 Budget Presentation
- 51:58 Fiscal Plan
- 1:37:46 Budget Hearing
- 1:38:42 First Reading with Legislative Updates of Policy A200 Firearms, Weapons and Destructive Devices; Policy A275 Wellness; Policy A300 Responsible Use of Technology and Internet Use; Policy C175 Attendance, Academic Engagement and Truancy Prevention; Policy C525 Medical Needs at School
- 1:55:57 West Lafayette Library Board Interviews
- 1:57:11 Interview of Faraz Ahmad
- 2:06:56 Interview of Ted Fondak
- 2:20:02 Interview of Martha Altschaeffl read by Austin
- 2:24:04 Library Appointment Process
- 2:24:21 Board Reports
The following is my summary of the public school board meeting, not the official meeting minutes. My personal thoughts and opinions are given in italics and represent my own views which do not necessarily reflect those of any other member of the school board. I identify myself as Mumford in the summary but use first person when describing my personal thoughts and opinions.
Yue Yin was out of town, so only six board members were present.
0:22 Sergeant Dave Smith of the West Lafayette Police Department provided a School Resource Officer Program Update. Smith has served with the department for 25 years and has been involved with the SRO program since it began in 2004. He explained that Marcus Slifer serves at the intermediate school and Brandon Bonnell serves at the elementary school. Smith tracks SRO reports by school, officer, type of incident, and whether additional law enforcement action is involved. He noted that reporting practices have varied among the officers and said they are working to make reporting more consistent. Smith emphasized that the overwhelming majority of SRO reports are documentation of routine matters, with very few incidents involving searches, arrests, juvenile justice referrals, or other police action.
5:02 West Lafayette Elementary School (WLES) Principal Sara Delaney presented WLES data and goals. WLES currently has 620 students, including 18 preschool students, with 80 students receiving special education services. She highlighted improvements in academic performance, including a 94% IREAD pass rate, an increase in ILEARN math proficiency from 82% to 87%, and an increase in English language arts proficiency from 72% to 74%. Delaney also described significant improvement in student writing and credited teachers’ collaboration across preschool through third grade and their focus on preparing students to successfully approach writing prompts.
Delaney discussed implementation of Indiana’s new math requirements, including the use of i-Ready screening in kindergarten through second grade and the ILEARN Checkpoint in third grade. Grade-level teams are reviewing multiple sources of data for students who fall below established thresholds to determine appropriate interventions, while also identifying ways to extend learning for students who are excelling. She highlighted continued support from three literacy interventionists, a math interventionist, the school counselor, student support specialist, and special education teachers. Delaney also described efforts connected to the school’s “Shine Through Kindness” theme, including kindness activities, family events, parent volunteers, and partnerships with therapy dogs through Love on a Leash.
17:57 Communication from the Audience (those who had signed up before the meeting began)
- Jalen, senior at WLHS, advocated for introducing age-appropriate CPR and AED education before high school. He shared that his grandfather survived cardiac arrest in 2022 after his mother immediately began CPR and explained that the experience inspired him to teach CPR to more than 700 children, adults, senior citizens, and people with disabilities in the community, including students at the intermediate school. He noted that children can begin learning CPR skills at a young age and pointed to other Indiana schools that provide CPR education before high school. He asked the district to teach younger students how to recognize an emergency, call 911, and understand AEDs, followed by hands-only CPR practice as students get older. He emphasized that early training could give students the knowledge and confidence to respond during the critical minutes before emergency personnel arrive.
- Mark Pugh, JSHS social studies teacher, said he served on the West Lafayette Public Library Board for 16 years and spoke in support of Martha Altschaeffl continuing to serve on the board. He described Altschaeffl as “a grumpy, maddingly direct pain in the neck,” while also emphasizing her decades of service as a Friends of the Library member, financial contributor, and library board member. He said that opposition to Alshafel serving on the library board may be based on something other than her qualifications, saying that, “maybe Martha insulted someone at a dinner party, which I can completely believe she would do, or donated to a candidate that you do not approve of.” He concluded that serving on the library board is not an elected position and should not be treated as political. I agree that serving on the library board should not be political. The comment about Altschaeffl making a donation to a political candidate most likely refers to Altschaeffl’s $10,000 contribution to the RDP-PAC, which raised $40,000 (including from companies that worked on the recent school construction) and then supported the political campaigns of current board members Amy Austin and George Lyle. In the last election, Amy Austin’s PAC supported George Lyle, David Purpura, and Maria Koliantz. My view is that each candidate should run independently and demonstrate that they will represent the community rather than a handful of donors. Since 2020, the PAC (each time under a different name) has pushed a slate of candidates in every school board election.
24:09 Consent Agenda:
- Agenda for the September 14, 2026 Regular Board Meeting
- Minutes of the August 10, 2026 Regular Board Meeting
- Field Trip: German 3-4 Classes to Christkindlmarkt and Goethe Institute
- WLCSC Transportation and Indiana Band Agreement
- Personnel Report
- Accounts Payable
Voted 6 out of 6
24:46 Superintendent Report: Greiner reported that the district’s certified net assessed valuation decreased by only 1.1%, rather than the previously anticipated decline of more than 10%. The assessed valuation used for the referendum increased 8.28%. Given this positive financial news, Greiner said that he will recommend maintaining the current referendum tax rate of 37 cents for the next year. Greiner also described ongoing referendum outreach, including presentations to parent groups, community organizations, town halls, a districtwide mailer, and an informational video. He said the goal is to provide factual financial information and opportunities for questions so community members can make informed decisions. Greiner reported current enrollment of 2,039 students, slightly higher than the previous year, while kindergarten enrollment remains at a record low of 125 students.
30:16 CFO Report
31:03 Budget Presentation: Cronk presented the proposed 2027 budget and explained the state budget process, including appropriations for the education, operations, debt service, referendum, and rainy day funds. She reported that estimated enrollment is slightly higher than the previous year, although the official count will not be finalized until October 1. Cronk reviewed historical state funding and said current basic tuition support is $7,184.01 per student, an increase of $104.94 from the previous year. Over the 19-year period she presented, per-student funding increased by an average of only 0.74% annually. She also reported that teacher salaries, wages, and benefits totaled approximately $15.98 million in 2025-26, representing 92.2% of the district’s $17.328 million in state tuition support. State tuition support must also cover other educational expenses, including paraprofessionals, nurses, technology, supplies, and building-level costs.
Cronk said the district received better-than-anticipated assessed valuation numbers. Operational assessed value declined by 1.1%, compared with an earlier estimate of a 10% decline, while referendum assessed value increased by 8.28%. She recommended maintaining the referendum tax rate at 37 cents for 2027. Cronk explained that the education fund is projected to receive approximately $19.5 million in revenue with about $20 million budgeted in expenditures, while the operations fund is projected to receive approximately $4.35 million with a $5 million appropriation. She emphasized that the operations fund is particularly affected by circuit breaker losses and the new homestead credit, with approximately $1.32 million in estimated losses. The referendum fund is projected to generate approximately $9.42 million and supports teacher compensation, transportation, maintenance, custodial services, and other expenses identified in the district’s referendum spending plan.
Cronk emphasized that the district continues to face financial uncertainty from changes in state funding and property tax laws. She noted that new deductions and credits, limited growth in assessed value, property captured within TIF districts, and higher circuit breaker losses reduce revenue available to the district. She said the district’s referendum revenue allows it to maintain existing programs and provide competitive employee wages and benefits. Cronk also cautioned that because of the district’s size, relatively small changes in student enrollment or assessed valuation can have a significant financial impact.
51:58 Fiscal Plan: Consultant Mike Reuter said enrollment and assessed valuation are the two primary factors driving the district’s budget, with enrollment determining much of the state funding and classroom expenses and assessed valuation determining available property tax revenue. He noted that the state foundation funding amount is increasing 1.49% and that West Lafayette receives comparatively little complexity funding because of its low complexity index. He emphasized that the district keeps 100% of its state funding in the Education Fund rather than transferring any of it to Operations. Reuter described the 2027 assessed valuation figures as positive overall, with operational assessed value declining 1.1% while referendum assessed value increased 8.28%. The referendum growth resulted in part from updated commercial property cost tables and new development, offset somewhat by new property tax deductions. The increased referendum assessed value allows the district to recommend maintaining the referendum rate at 37 cents.
Reuter said the Education Fund is projected to remain balanced in 2027, although future enrollment, particularly declining kindergarten enrollment, will be important to monitor. He identified the Operations Fund as the area facing the greatest financial pressure. Although the state is allowing a 6% increase in the operations levy for 2027, the district will not necessarily collect the full increase because of circuit breaker losses and the new homestead credit. He noted that West Lafayette receives approximately $1,680 per student for operations compared with a state average of $1,952. The district has recently spent more from Operations than it has received, although some of the decline was planned for a large high school project. Reuter said future options for balancing the fund could include additional spending reductions, transferring money from the Education Fund, or shifting more eligible expenses to the Referendum Fund. He said the district still has sufficient cash reserves and does not need to make those decisions immediately.
Reuter explained that the referendum fund is projected to receive approximately $9.42 million in 2027 and that increased assessed value provides more flexibility while maintaining the 37-cent rate. He cautioned that future finances remain uncertain because property tax deductions will continue phasing in through 2031 and additional property tax changes may be considered by the legislature. Reuter said the board will receive updated assessed valuation information and a recommended referendum rate each year, allowing it to adjust the rate within the voter-approved maximum based on financial conditions. He anticipated significant discussion of property taxes and school funding during the 2027 legislative session and emphasized that future legislative changes could affect the district’s long-term financial projections.
1:37:46 Budget Hearing: The official budget hearing opened with an invitation for public comment. No members of the public commented, and the hearing was closed.
1:38:42 First Reading with Legislative Updates of Policy A200 Firearms, Weapons and Destructive Devices; Policy A275 Wellness; Policy A300 Responsible Use of Technology and Internet Use; Policy C175 Attendance, Academic Engagement and Truancy Prevention; Policy C525 Medical Needs at School
Mumford asked where the district currently stands in meeting the requirements of Policy A300 regarding parental filtering capabilities for take-home student devices. Hamilton said the district’s software already provides the required capability. The district piloted the feature last year and rolled it out this year, with many parents already signing up. Hamilton explained that although the policy states the district will comply by the January deadline, the required technology is already in place.
Mumford raised two concerns about proposed changes to Policy C175 regarding attendance. She questioned whether the district should provide parents more than the state-required minimum of one day’s notice for educationally related non-classroom activities, suggesting that, when possible, three days’ notice would give families more time to receive and respond to the information. Mumford also expressed greater concern about language limiting participation in these activities to students in good academic standing. She questioned whether the proposed language was broader than required by state law and said she was concerned that students struggling academically could be excluded from activities that might benefit them. Mumford was asked to submit her specific questions so administrators could review them and consult with legal counsel as appropriate.
1:55:57 Library Board Applicant Interviews Indiana code gives school boards the right to appoint some of the members of local library boards. Our interview questions were sent to the library board applicants before the interviews. Austin explained that one of the library board applicants, Martha Altschaeffl, was unable to attend due to health reasons and asked for a vote to allow Altschaeffl’s responses to be read into the record, noting that Altschaeffl would be willing to meet with the board at a later time.
Voted 6 out of 6
1:57:11 Interview of Faraz Ahmad: Ahmad is a fifth-year PhD student in mechanical engineering at Purdue University and previously served as a faculty member in Pakistan. He currently serves as president of the Purdue Fulbright Association, vice president of the Engineering Academic Career Club, and president of the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette. Ahmad said he applied for the library board because he wants to serve the community that has given him so much during his four years in West Lafayette. While acknowledging that his organizational experience is not specifically related to libraries, he said he is willing to learn, grow, and contribute to the community.
Ahmad said he views the school board-appointed library trustee as a bridge between the schools and the library board. He said the trustee should communicate the schools’ needs and perspectives to the library board while also understanding the library’s available resources and limitations. Ahmad said the role requires communication in both directions, including explaining to the schools when the library may not have the resources to meet a particular request.
When asked about opportunities for collaboration and strengthening communication among the library, schools, and school community, Ahmad suggested meetings that bring together the library board, school board, parents, students, and teachers to share ideas and concerns and work toward shared decisions.
Ahmad asked how long the library board appointment would last and was told it is a four-year term. He said he had not realized the length of the term and may not remain in the area for four years. Ahmad said he would be willing to serve for one or two years but did not expect to be available for the full term.
2:06:56 Interview of Ted Fondak: Fondak is the parent of two children in West Lafayette schools and described his family as longtime patrons of the West Lafayette Public Library. He has a master’s degree in social studies education, coursework in librarianship, and experience in teaching, information technology, and supporting teaching and learning. Fondak has also served on nonprofit and community boards, including an organization supporting underprivileged youth and the Lafayette Master Chorale. He said his experience has centered on collaboration, relationship building, and fostering community, and he views the library board position as an opportunity to give back and build stronger connections between the schools and library, which he described as having complementary missions.
When asked how he would represent the schools’ interests as a school board-appointed library trustee, Fondak said the schools and library have complementary missions centered on education, community, and serving youth and families. He said his priority would be to clearly communicate the school board’s positions to the library board, report the library board’s work back to the school board and school community, build relationships with school stakeholders, and strengthen connections between the two institutions.
When asked about opportunities for collaboration and strengthening communication among the library, schools, and school community, Fondak emphasized relationship building and becoming more involved with the schools. He suggested partnerships with school media centers, music and art teachers, STEM programs, and other educators to bring student performances, exhibits, projects, educational programs, and community events into the library. Fondak also proposed exploring a student advisory board to give students a greater voice in library governance and said he would like to engage students and families with the library early so they view it as an important part of participating in the community.
2:20:02 Interview of Martha Altschaeffl (answers read by Austin): Altschaeffl said she applied because she has been a member of the community since 1962 and has spent much of that time working, volunteering, and spending time at the library. She described the library as a significant part of her life and her “home away from home.”
When asked how she would represent the interests and perspectives of the schools, Altschaeffl responded, “Since this is a courtesy appointment, I’m not sure whether or not representing the school’s interests falls under our jurisdiction. As educational institutions, the libraries, and the schools should already be aligned in their missions.”
When asked what opportunities she sees for collaboration between the library and schools, Altschaeffl responded, “The library has a children’s room, a room for pre-teens, a room for teens, a craft area for kids, and hosts frequent programs for children of all ages. Just as the school board doesn’t plan classroom activities, the library board does not plan children’s programming. I’m not sure how the library board could collaborate with the schools any more than they already do, but I’m open to reasonable suggestions.”
Altschaeffl has served eight years, or two terms, as the school board’s appointee to the library board. During that time, she has not communicated with the school board about the work of the library board or used her role as the school board’s appointee to bring the two organizations together, create opportunities for greater involvement with our schools, or establish an ongoing connection with our students, families, and staff. Given that this seat is specifically appointed by the school board, I believe the person serving in this role should bring the perspectives of our students, families, and staff to the library board while also ensuring that the school board and school community remain connected to its work.
2:24:04 Library Appointment Process: Austin said the board would complete the library board appointment process similarly to how it filled the previous vacancy on the school board. She said she would accept a motion regarding the appointment at the October meeting. This new library application and interview process shows how far our school district has come in creating a more open, transparent, and clearly defined process for appointments. This is meaningful progress.
Austin and Lyle may decide to abstain from voting on the library appointment in October because of the appearance of a conflict of interest. One of the applicants donated a significant amount ($10,000) to their political campaigns through the RDP-PAC.
2:24:21 Board Reports
2:36:07 The meeting was adjourned
Upcoming Public Meetings in the Central Office Board Room, located at 3061 Benton Street:
- Regular Board Meeting: Thursday, October 1st at 6pm (Note date change due to Fall Break)
This document is my summary of the public school board meeting, not the official meeting minutes. My personal thoughts and opinions are given in italics and represent my own views which do not necessarily reflect those of any other member of the school board. I identify myself as Mumford in the summary but use first person when describing my personal thoughts and opinions. Previous agendas, minutes, and audio recordings can be found at the WLCSC website.
