WACS Proposes Several Budget Adjustments

By Sara Herrmann
In response to feedback from Westfield Academy faculty, staff and community members the district has proposed adjustments to the $14.6 million proposed 2008-09 budget. District Superintendent Mark Sissel reviewed the budget revisions with the Board of Education at its meeting Monday evening. A total of $240,000 has been cut to meet the budget parameters set out by the Board of Education. By eliminating the purchase of a new tractor, dropping BOCES network management services, and reducing both the technology budget and proposed summer hours for nurses, the district has cut spending by a net figure of $95,980. This allows the district to restore a half-time middle/high school math teacher and a full-time health/physical education teacher. The technology coordinator position will also be restored to half-time as originally proposed. This represents a 4.1 FTE (full-time equivalent) reduction in staff from the current year. Originally, the district had proposed eliminating 5.6 FTE positions. “These adjustments were driven by feedback we received from faculty and staff within the district and from the community,” said Sissel.

While unable to say specifically what positions will be eliminated, Sissel indicated that they would be classroom positions at the middle school level. “We’re not taking away any courses,” said Sissel.

Elementary principal Sue Benson reminded those in attendance that reductions to the teaching staff at the elementary and middle school levels are driven by declining enrollment. “It’s really all about the numbers at our level,” she said.

Also at Monday’s meeting, high school guidance counselor Scott Cooper discussed the district’s electives offerings for students. Cooper told the board that in the 2007-08 school year, the district offered 50 electives to students and that the electives schedule rotates from year to year. In total, the district is able to offer 79 electives through both in-district teaching and distance learning.

The electives are offered in many subject areas and disciplines from music and fine arts to social studies and math and include topical courses like U.S. Military History, hands-on learning such as CAD (computer assisted design) and career exploration opportunities, like sports management.

In New York State, a graduating senior is required to have 22 high school credits. In Westfield, students are required to have 23 credits because of a district requirement to complete a course in career and financial management. “On average, our students are graduating with between 27 and 28 credits,” said Cooper, who noted that Westfield students have the opportunity to leave the district with several college credits through either JCC or the 3-1-3 program at Fredonia. The JCC courses are provided at no cost, except textbooks, to district parents.

Cooper stated that the electives offer Westfield students a well-rounded academic program and help with college admissions as well as increased financial aid and scholarship opportunities. “With the electives we offer, we are where we need to be to get our students where they need to be,” said Cooper.

In other business, the board welcomed new acting secondary principal Lawrence Studd to the district. He was appointed to the position Monday, retroactive to May 2nd. William Fleckenstein is currently on paid administrative leave.

Studd reported that he has met with teachers and students and will be working to coordinate the upcoming final exam schedule and oversee teacher observations. “I’m happy to be here,” said Studd, who is a retired administrator from the Cattaraugus-Little Valley district. “What I’ve seen so far and the welcome I’ve received has been tremendous.”