WESTFIELD — Voters in Westfield on Tuesday approved two bond referendum questions to finance major capital infrastructure projects across the local school district and bring free, full-day kindergarten to the town. Roughly 20 percent of eligible residents participated in the vote, which fell during the district’s spring break.
According to unofficial results released late on Tuesday night, voters approved by a 64-percent to 35-percent margin the $168-million bond to expand special-education offerings, renovate restrooms and HVAC systems, and build more multipurpose and individualized learning rooms. A second referendum question for a $34-million bond to bring free, full-day kindergarten to residents was approved by a 61-percent to 38-percent margin.
The district will receive $67 million in state aid for the bond projects — with $55.3 million earmarked for building upgrades and $2.1 million for the kindergarten program.
The raw vote totals were 3,332 votes in favor and 1,847 opposed on the first bond question, and 3,195 votes in favor and 1,981 opposed on the second bond question.
Residents also voted to approve a $300,000 increase to this year’s general operating budget, which will finance salaries and benefits for three teachers across the district. The question was approved by a 69-percent to 30-percent margin.
Polling locations were noticeably busy towards the end of the day, with a steady stream of cars coming and going from Edison Intermediate School and the Armory building.
Lina, an expectant mother, told The Westfield Leader, “we are about to use the school district, so I supported full-day kindergarten, but not the [budget increase or the first ballot question].” Another resident at the Armory voting location told the Leader, “we support full-day kindergarten.”
“We want to thank all those who took the time to cast a ballot,” Superintendent Raymond González, Ed.D., said via written communication to the Leader on Wednesday. “We are deeply grateful to the Westfield community for its participation and input throughout this process. The outcome, while still unofficial, reflects years of thoughtful planning and community dialogue around the needs of our schools. We are excited about the future and the opportunities this presents for our students, staff, and the entire school community.”
