The West Lafayette Community School Corporation (WLCSC) held a regular board meeting on June 9, 2025, to discuss significant changes regarding student transfers and funding implications due to recent legislative updates. The meeting addressed the current agreement with the Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC) and the need for the board to evaluate its policies on accepting transfer students.

The board began by acknowledging that the existing agreement with TSC no longer aligns with state law, particularly concerning the funding structure for transfer students. Currently, WLCSC has 160 students who have transferred from TSC, and the board is at a crossroads regarding whether to continue accepting these students or to close the district to new transfers. The discussion highlighted that under the new law, WLCSC cannot collect additional tuition dollars for these transfers, which raises questions about the financial viability of continuing the current practice.

Superintendent Dr. Harn clarified that while the district would not be able to charge for the difference in tuition, the funding for transfer students would still follow them to WLCSC. This means that the basic funding would come directly to WLCSC rather than through TSC. However, the board must consider the implications of accepting more transfer students, particularly regarding class sizes and the overall capacity of the schools.

Board member Dasha emphasized the importance of community input on this issue, suggesting a town hall meeting to inform residents about the pros and cons of accepting more transfer students. She expressed concern about the potential impact on local property values and the district's enrollment numbers, especially with the ongoing changes in the community due to the arrival of new industries.

Concerns were raised about the administrative burden of managing an open district policy, with board members discussing the need for careful consideration of class sizes and the potential for increased competition among students for available spots. The board acknowledged that if they decided to close the district to transfers, it could lead to staff reductions across various levels, including teachers and support staff.

The discussion also touched on the possibility of reintroducing a program for international students, which could provide additional revenue for the district. However, board members recognized that this would require significant administrative resources and careful policy development.

As the meeting concluded, it was clear that the board would need to engage the community in further discussions before making any final decisions. The urgency of the matter was noted, with members agreeing that timely input from the community would be crucial in shaping the future of student transfers and the financial health of WLCSC. The board plans to schedule a town hall meeting to gather feedback and facilitate a more informed decision-making process moving forward.