WACS renews Sissel’s contract
By S. ALEXANDER GEROULD, Special to the OBSERVERWESTFIELD - Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education members have approved a one-year contract extension for Superintendent Mark Sissel.
After an executive session at a recent board meeting, board members, by a 7 to 2 vote, approved the extension, according to Marie Edwards, board president.
"He's (Sissel) looking for stability," Mrs. Edwards said. "One of our goals is to try to gain some administrative stability across the board."
Sissel, who still has two years remaining on his original contract, will be under contract until 2012, Mrs. Edwards said. She also said, through negotiations, the extension was lowered from three-years to one.
However, not everyone in attendance at the board meeting was pleased with the move. During the public comment session of the meeting, Barry Underwood, a concerned resident, said Sissel's contract should not be extended.
"I think we represent some of the people of Westfield, and we believe you should not be negotiating a contract at this time," Underwood said, referring to himself and Westfield resident Bob Neratko . "We're against negotiating an extension with Mr. Sissel right now."
Underwood, along with Neratko, also wrote a letter regarding the issue, which they sent to area newspapers and handed out at the meeting."Board of Education members should be able to gauge public opinion," the letter stated. "Board of Education members have a responsibility to the residents. You don't need a poll to tell you a vast majority of Westfield residents do not want this superintendent to get a contract extension."
Sissel has previously served as high school principal in the Marcus Whitman Central School District in Rushville, N.Y., as well as high school principal of the Campbell Savona High School and as an assistant principal in Elmira. After serving in the military, Sissel received his bachelor of arts in criminal justice, his master of science in education, and he holds a certificate of advanced study in educational administration. He has also taught as an elementary teacher, high school social studies teacher and was a teacher of English to speakers of other languages.
Mrs. Edwards said the board is moving forward with their decision.
"I think it's important that people realize we're keeping Mark because we believe in his ability to get this school where we want to be," she said. "We all buy into his vision and the plan that we have made together. We still believe that we can turn things around."
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shofuh
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08-29-09 10:39 AM
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So now we know it runs in the family.
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BillWestfieldNY
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08-28-09 3:24 PM
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TTFN what is that? family secret?
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BillWestfieldNY
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08-28-09 3:21 PM
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As a Zanghi I bet you really have some family secrets and stories to tell, care to share? Seem like you like to talk?
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BillWestfieldNY
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08-28-09 3:19 PM
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Your the hater, underwood and neratko have a right to voice their opinion or b i t ch about BOE accountability. As a BOE member your brother was a public official. Bob and Barry as you love to call them are private taxpayers and are not subject to the standards that public officials like boe members are. Your the attack dog your brother talked about in his closing letter. Let it go MarkAnn you just hate real men. I will put up Underwood or Neratko resume, military or public service or volunteering up against your brother's any day or any other BOE member. You don't need to serve on the BOE to serve the public. Furthermore as BOE your brother should have debated them, he ran and hid instead. Just stop it, stop it,Get over it.
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BillWestfieldNY
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08-28-09 3:11 PM
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p****z: you are a sorry, sorry person. On one hand you think barry and bob are b i t c hing, you must really have a mental problem. Your the one b i t c h ing about; about Bob and Barry. I think you have something for them. Hummm. But after reading what past boe president zanghi wrote in his leaving statement, its clear you are the man in the family. Your brother was a BOE president, he screwed up big time get over it. From your defense it is clear zanghi's have role reverse syndrome. Does that run in the family? Like I said you the man. Please your embarassing your brother, he just wanted to leave the BOE, Barry and Bob are just voicing the opinions, leave it at that sir.
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shofuh
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08-28-09 8:36 AM
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"I'm a ZANGHI!" I wouldn't be saying that too loud. The fact is, the solution is easy. Get rid of ALL of the board members, we already got rid of some of the worst, but the rest need to follow. Then get rid of Sissel who should have never been hired in the first place. Didn't anyone actually look into this guys past?
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pmdmaz
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08-27-09 6:32 PM
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Boys Boys, I have a mind of my own without bringing up my brother...I just think it's funny how much Bob and Barry like to b*tch but I don't see them stepping up to the plate to really be a part of the solution. As another reader stated...I'm just on the outside lookin' in! No need to be haters cuz' I'm a ZANGHI! TTFN!
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shofuh
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08-27-09 3:55 PM
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skeptical, the debate has already occured. for someone who has no connection to the district, you seem to pretend to know what the*****you are talking about. the debate has already occured, MULTIPLE TIMES. no one but board members and their families support their actions anymore. I would have no problem putting these things to a referendum. MR SISSEL HAS BEEN FIRED OR DISMISSED (i don't care if he supposedly "left", all you have to do is read the articles and talk to people from those communities, he was FORECED out!) FROM MULTIPLE SCHOOL OFFICIAL POSITIONS. WESTFIELD HIRED HIM WITHOUT DOING THEIR HOME WORK AND NOW THE DISTRICT IS STUCK WITH THIS LOSER!
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shofuh
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08-27-09 3:51 PM
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skeptical is just a moron, forgot that fool.
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barcelona
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08-27-09 2:25 PM
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Its no wonder the WACS Boe get questioned so hard, with supporters like 117 who needs enemies. 117 Your not helping the BOE position, LOL. I am glad I know who you are. U Do have a westfield connection, its ok, i understand, u just wanted to mislead us and force opinions. Its not personal, but you did lie.
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barcelona
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08-27-09 2:17 PM
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once again just a simple type-o, right. Just like a simple purchase of toys, simple mistake on travel mileage, simple slander comment, its all simple. You said it and then you commented what difference does it make. You have a connection and you can't even admit it. At least do what BOE members can't and say you do have a connection and I am sorry and move forword, The more you post the more you look bad. Its simple I know who you are
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barcelona
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08-27-09 2:13 PM
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If your so concerned about personal attacks why didn't you come out against P****Z the first few postings on this story, She attacks Underwood and Neratko. Those are the people you should be writing too, not me or my husband who support accountability when we have property taxes we can't afford. Bottom line, Underwood and Neratko are great assets to Westfield, No one is attacked more then they. If you elect to serve as a Boardmember or officer you are subject to accountability and as you would claim "attacks'. "I" would consider them questioning the character of the boardmember. Take Edward's for example, if she represents WACS and as prez she should know how to say a word or address the public. If she can't she is subject to questions. she is by her position and by accepting it is subject to more accountablity then non-public people like Underwood and Neratko. BOE members and Sissel are thin skin people, and they cry like you. AND LIE, READ YOUR 1:30 POSTING YOU SAID I
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skeptical117
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08-27-09 2:09 PM
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that should have said "no" connection to the community. it was a simple type-o.
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skeptical117
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08-27-09 2:08 PM
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Where do I state I have a connection to the community?
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barcelona
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08-27-09 2:03 PM
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117 look at your 1:30 posting, you state you have a connection to the community, its your quote, you said it. Its not a personal attack you lied when you first said you didn't and then in your 1:30 posting you said you did. Which is it?
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barcelona
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08-27-09 1:50 PM
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First of all 117 you lied. Then you don't know what your saying because the Superintendent did repay the school for the toy(s). Then he received a warning for the travel mileage. As far a state review, lets wait on that, the state takes forever. And the slander situation, I was told by the board that the school attorney is already handling that one. Its being handled legally, not by the board, does that tell you something. Lawyered up
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skeptical117
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08-27-09 1:46 PM
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See, that is what scares people from trying to have a civil conversation with people about a topic. I absolutely have no connection to the district, but I must because I am asking questions or differing from the majority of views on this message board. I must some how be linked to the school, board, district, be a family member or something else because, heaven forbid, I had a different view. Rumors fly quickly in any town, and to have everyone look at the comments here and not see anything positive skews their view on things. It's all words, heresay and allegations. As someone with no connection, I repeat no connection to the district, I would be scared of both the school and the residents in the community.
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barcelona
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08-27-09 1:41 PM
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117 you just lost your creditability in 2 ways. You stated "I am serious when I say I have a connection to the district" so you do have a contection. If you now deny that, In the legal world it is viewed as your thoughts and fingers were saying one thing while your voice and eyes were trying to mislead. Guilty. Charge two, you then say if I did have a connection so what. The so what is you commented you were not a member of the community and now your claiming its no big deal. You just blew yourself in 117, you would make a great WACS BOE member if you are not already one, or a past member, or a family member of one. Words say so much, your guilty of lying As the new cheerleading prez would cheer, shame on you, shame on you, shame on you
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skeptical117
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08-27-09 1:40 PM
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Barcelona - How many people attend board meetings? From my history of going to meetings, school, town, village, etc. the public participation is very limited. No one shows up. So, when people show up to question or say something negative, of course it's going reported in the press, passed along to others, etc. because they are the only view spoken. Besides, why would someone want to stand up to say something positive only to be belittled, called names or worse by those who don't agree with the person. Real mature there!
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skeptical117
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08-27-09 1:36 PM
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Also, do you know how many eligible voters there are in the Westfield district? Were all that voted on that issue all that could? While the number of votes against the proposal is high, you can't tell me everyone in the community had their say. Also, thank you for the personal attack. You just proved my point. If someone comes on here with a differing view, he is attacked by everyone. That is, I believe, what turns people away from Bob and Barry. Every time someone doesn't agree or asks a question, they get ridiculed. Also, prove to me the superintendent did anything. Where is the proof besides allegations in a letter? Everyone says the superintendent bought toys for his children. Where is the proof? Has there been any legal action? Anything from the state Education Department?
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skeptical117
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08-27-09 1:36 PM
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Also, do you know how many eligible voters there are in the Westfield district? Were all that voted on that issue all that could? While the number of votes against the proposal is high, you can't tell me everyone in the community had their say. Also, thank you for the personal attack. You just proved my point. If someone comes on here with a differing view, he is attacked by everyone. That is, I believe, what turns people away from Bob and Barry. Every time someone doesn't agree or asks a question, they get ridiculed. Also, prove to me the superintendent did anything. Where is the proof besides allegations in a letter? Everyone says the superintendent bought toys for his children. Where is the proof? Has there been any legal action? Anything from the state Education Department?
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barcelona
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08-27-09 1:31 PM
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Has anyone, anyone ever been to a BOE meeting and heard anyone, anyone stand up for Superintendent Sissel or the BOE. I mean somebody really stand up and say something really positive about travel vouchers, purchasing toys, inflated mileage, supporting slander, support yelling at teachers, suport 100,000 dollars on the football field, support harassing resident students. Support anything the BOE or Sissel has done? what else anything positive, anything? , has anyone, please give me a name or date or place where something positive was said?
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skeptical117
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08-27-09 1:30 PM
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Barcelona - Just because something got voted down does not signify 95 percent of residents support Barry and Bob's actions. That just shows to me that people didn't like what was proposed to them. You still didn't answer my question: How do you know almost the entire community is behind them? I will give credit where credit is due, though. They did do a lot of work and deserve credit for that. It is good to see people standing up for what they believe. And I am serious when I say I have connection to the district, and even if I did, so what. There seems to be a vocal minority in the Westfield community and if anyone disagrees with them they are labeled as bad, misinformed, not caring about the community. Where is there room for debate?
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barcelona
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08-27-09 1:25 PM
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Skeptical117, sure your not a past board member or a closet BOE member. Just somebody looking in from outside Westfield. Like P****Z from outside westfield, brother of past prez zanghi. Just an outsider. Want the 95 percent view. HOW ABOUT A 609 TO 65 vote in which Underwood and Neratko took the bull by the horns and informed the district to vote down the capital reserve fund. Want more????? 609 to 65, it was an embarassment to the BOE. Hey figure it, the recent Prez only got 300 votes and that was with 3 seats and 4 running. As an outsider get real, come out of your closet and talk to people, 609, 609, 609. Look at the postings, it in the paper from the past year, it sure looks like 95 percent to me.
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barcelona
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08-27-09 1:18 PM
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Underwood and Neratko might not have every answer but they are smart and use common sense. They should never serve on the BOE because they get far more done with their pencil and letters then all the Westfield BOE members do. It is because of U and N that the BOE is considering a new travel policy. How about BOE members now reviewing contracts, does the mileage issue from U and N ring a bell. Reviewing expenses accounts, does finding that Superintendent Sissel purchased children's toys found by U and N ring a bell. Signing false claims by the past prez and Sissel does that ring a bell. For that, it appears Neratko was slandered and both Underwood and Neratko have been verbally attacked. Will Superintendent's actions again cost this district? U and N stands for accountability, change and hope. This new Board Prez thinks she is doing that, its U and N not the Board that has forced changes Marie. Stick to cheering prez, go, go, go. Two letter words are in her vocab aren't they?
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