Dear Westfield School Community,
I am writing to share with you the significant financial challenges facing our schools in Westfield and districts across Massachusetts. We are experiencing a "perfect storm" of rising costs and insufficient funding, making it increasingly difficult to balance budgets without reductions that will negatively impact student learning, enrichment, and support services.
Over the past five years, our schools have worked tirelessly to meet growing demands, particularly in addressing students’ social-emotional and mental health needs. However, these critical services come with increased costs, and now, with the expiration of federal ESSER funds for pandemic recovery, many positions and programs supported by these funds have been either eliminated or sustained through other means.
Compounding this challenge, major expenses such as special education services, out-of-district tuition, and student transportation have risen sharply. Tuition at state-approved special education schools has increased at unprecedented rates—14% in FY24, 4.7% in FY25, and 3.7% in FY26, far exceeding historical averages. Our student transportation costs increased 36% in FY25. These costs are expected to continue rising, yet state funding through Chapter 70 and the Circuit Breaker program has not kept pace with inflation or these growing financial demands. Meanwhile, local revenue remains insufficient to bridge the gap unless voters approve additional funding through a Proposition 2½ override. Across the state, communities that have attempted to override Proposition 2½ have had less than a fifty percent success rate.
As a result, school districts across the Commonwealth are facing a fiscal crisis at a time when student needs have never been greater. Our district and many others are facing significant budget cuts this year and all students are going to feel the impact. Even more concerning is that this is not a short-term problem. Without sustainable solutions, the financial pressures on our schools will only intensify in the years ahead, making it even more difficult to recruit and retain the high-quality educators and staff that our students deserve.
If Massachusetts is to remain a national leader in public education, we must come together as a community to advocate for the funding and resources our students need to thrive. Our message needs to be heard not only by our governor but also our state legislators. The Westfield Public Schools FY26 proposed budget will be presented to our school committee on April 7. I urge you to stay informed, engaged, and involved in the discussions about school funding, our children’s future depends on it.
Thank you for your support and commitment to our students.
With appreciation,
Stefan Czaporowski
Superintendent of Schools
Westfield Public Schools