"We have more control over the electorate if there's a much lower turnout," an audience member said. If more parents vote, "the likelihood is they're more likely to say yes," she said. In an election with higher turnout, such as the November election, "we have to work really, really hard to get people who don't have kids currently in the school to say yes," she said

Is this the position of the WES School Board and Superintendent Polito as well? Are they in favor of making sure that this issue is presented to the least number of voters or the most? Seems to me that your job is to reach out to the citizens of this small town and convince the broadest number of voters that what you are seeking is the right thing to do. Not paying a lot of money to a consultant (which could be used instead for school programs) and "sneaking" this tax issue onto a ballot during an election you hope will be lightly attended and stacked with favorable voters....a lazy and divisive proposal.

The school board represents the entire community, not just the parents. The entire community is eligible to vote in school board elections. It pays the taxes to fund the schools.

Elections are intended to reflect the will of the community. Manipulating the rules so that one special interest gets its preferred electoral outcome is not the way a democracy should work.

If some parents want greater Woodside school funding, they can donate to the schools directly.

Can we talk about why the district has lost 9% of students in the past 3 years, and many teachers, but gained an administrator?

Other local districts are gaining students?

While there is always a percent that transfer to private schools or move away, it seems there are fewer families with kids moving to Woodside, and more transferring/moving than before?

Woodside is a very intimidating place to move to if you are not in the .01%. It could be more welcoming. Rents have increased on rental properties to a burden that few can afford.

Are the schools accommodating and supportive to those with learning differences?
Are more moving away due to the prospect of an avg performing local high school (as opposed to top rated)?
Is the budget going to decrease with the loss of students?
I have no answers, only questions.

@Questions:

These are good questions and worth asking at a school board meeting - unfortunately the board is in recess until summer is over. The next meeting date is not listed on the school website yet.

I do know that only 5 students are leaving WES for private middle school next year which is quite low in historical standards.

I also know that WES does an amazing job catering to students with learning differences as well as providing differentiated curriculum for all students.

My biggest concerns are the number of teachers who are leaving WES and the seeming lack of accountability for mishandled (and expensive) human resources issues that have occurred under the current leadership.