Nathan Scriven

At their regular meeting late last month, Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education members approved the creation of the position of temporary School Safety Advisor, and appointed Nathan Scriven to that position for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year.

The board also approved that Scriven, a retired police officer, is authorized to carry a firearm on school property while carrying out his position as School Safety Advisor “in accordance with the School Safety Advisor qualifications and requirements set out by Chautauqua County Civil Service.”

District Superintendent Michael Cipolla noted that local law enforcement is experiencing staffing shortages and are unable to provide SRO support at this time. Board member Tom Tarpley added that the inability to have an SRO officer was out of the district’s control because of these staffing issues.

Cipolla described Sriven as being the right person for the job. “We are fortunate to have Mr. Scriven as a member of our staff. He brings a wealth of knowledge in law enforcement to our District including past experience as a school resource officer,” he said. “Building connections with students and staff is a top priority. We believe Mr. Scriven is the right person at the right time to build these relationships.”

Cipolla said that Scriven’s goal as SSA was to create a safe environment in which students are free to learn. “He prides himself on being very approachable,” he said. “He encourages anyone to come talk to him with concerns regarding safety issues on or off campus or even just day-to-day stressors.”

The choice to hire Scriven was also affirmed by WACS guidance teacher Robert Dyment, who spoke during the public participation segment of the meeting. “We are grateful this is going to happen,” he said. “I always thought he (Scriven) was a thoughtful person and brought a lot to the table.”

Scriven studied police science at Jamestown Community College, after which he enrolled. in Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy. He worked for the former Chautauqua Institute Police Department and the Westfield Police Department. In 2003, he joined the Fredonia Police Department where he worked for 20 years before retiring.

In another personnel matter, the board created the position of Director of Facilities I for Joshua Brumagin who has passed his Civil Service Exam and is, therefore, eligible for this position. Brumagin has served the district for many years as General Maintenance Mechanic.

Brumagin’s appointment as Director of Facilities I, effective Feb. 27, was unanimously approved by board members. Cipolla noted Brumagin’s service to the district has greatly exceeded his former job title. “His duties pretty much fall in line with the position he will enter into,” Cipolla said. “The previous title did not encompass all of his responsibilities.”

Board members also accepted two retirement requests. The resignation of Kathleen Wilson as Family and Consumer Science Teacher for the purpose of retirement, with thanks and appreciation for 11 years of service, and the resignation of Kathryn Bedwell as Physical Education Teacher for the purpose of retirement, with thanks and appreciation for 28 years of service, were approved, both effective July 1, 2024.

In other business, Board President Wendy Dyment asked board members to finalize dates for the Senior Citizens’ Breakfast for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. The board decided that the breakfast will be held May 15 and 16.