Saturday volunteers will take to the street to distribute yard signs to support the WCS Building Referendum.

Friends of Warsaw Community Schools, a non-profit, privately funded support group for the proposed referendum to rebuild Lincoln Elementary and repair Washington Elementary and Edgewood Middle School, will be distributing yard signs to residents throughout the county.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, April 11, the group will meet for a “yard sign rally” at the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce parking lot, located at 523 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, to begin organizing the distribution. Volunteers will be given yard signs with maps and locations and each person will be supplied between 10 to 15 signs to be delivered in the same area. Donuts, orange juice and coffee will be supplied to volunteers.

Warsaw Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert noted an estimated 800 to 1,000 yard signs have been requested thus far. “All of these signs have been paid for through private donations and no school or tax dollars have been used,” stated Hoffert.

According to Jeff Plank, former Warsaw mayor and chairman of Friends of Warsaw Community Schools stated, “A campaign is unfolding [to support the referendum]…privately funded and driven by many enthusiastic volunteers of all ages and walks of life…”

Plank explained that volunteers all share four paramount beliefs. Firstly, that volunteers believe they live in a community they deserve and a place they strive to protect through both time and effort. Secondly, that it is important to possess a heart “for our kids” as well as “a strong sense of ownership in their educational preparedness.” Thirdly, Plank noted, “a school ‘building’ is full of great teachers and kids and should not be allowed to handicap teaching, learning and the security of our children.” Lastly, Plank noted, “here…in our place…we take care of our own.”

Plank explained that he firmly believes that the shortest distance to defeat in any election is the assumption of victory. He urged voters to “expect nothing and assume nothing is assured.”

In addition, Plank commended the community for its support of the referendum thus far, noting many without children in the schools have taken a stance in ensuring the positive future of those who will one day serve as community leaders and workers.

“Any child in a public school belongs to us all,” stated Plank.

The referendum will be up-for-vote during the May 5 primary election. The referendum states: “Shall Warsaw Community Schools issue bonds or enter into a lease to finance the construction of a replacement Lincoln Elementary School, the renovation of and improvements to the Washington Elementary School and Edgewood Middle School, which is estimated to cost not more than $39,900,000 and is estimated to increase the property tax rate for debt service by a maximum of $0.138 per $100 of assessed valuation over the 20 year life of the bonds?”

Those interested in seeing the potential tax impact of the referendum may visit the Friends of Warsaw Community Schools website to utilize a tax calculator [see WCS Presents Facility Plan: The Bottom Line].

Yard signs will be given by request. Those interested in displaying a sign may call (574) 267-4021, by emailing [email protected] or by visiting Friends of Warsaw Community Schools website. Further volunteer opportunities are available for those interested [see Volunteer Opportunities Available To Support WCS Referendum]