WACS Superintendent Ryan Sikorski

At their regular meeting this month, Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education members heard their first report from Superintendent Ryan Sikorski and learned that Interim Secondary Principal Ivana Hite’s last day at the school will be Monday.

Sikorski began by telling board members that he has enjoyed his first week at WACS. “It’s been a great six or seven days so far,” he said. “I’ve been getting to know the kids, getting to know the staff, visiting the summer school and getting acquainted with the year round employees.”

Sikorski then updated the board on comments WACS has received from the New York state Department of Education. “They want the stairwells enclosed and we have six or seven of them. Our architects negotiated with state ed and we can add two of them within the scope of the current base bid for the capital project,” he said. “Next year, we can add three more and include them in the Capital Outlay Project, then we can add two the following year in the Capital Outlay Project.”

Interim Secondary Principal Ivana Hite announced her last day will be August 26. She said this will allow the new interim to start the year fresh at the staff development days on August 27 and 28.

Hite noted she will make sure the new interim experiences a smooth beginning. “I will be getting all necessary documents and materials ready for the new interim,” she said. “I want to thank you for such a warm welcome back! These past two months have reminded me how happy I was serving this community for almost 33 years.”

Hite thanked Shannon Baum and Can Tenamore for their help in cleaning up the Code of Conduct, which will be posted on the district website. She noted the updated school supply list will also be on the website.

Elementary Principal Molly Anderson informed board members that Aug. 12 was the last day for the summer programs. “It’s been a great success!” she said. “Thank you to our summer staff, the transportation department, the high school volunteers and to Patterson Library for welcoming our students each week.”

Anderson also told board members that the district is welcoming 20 new families, with 44 new elementary student enrollments for the 2025-26 school year. “PreK classrooms are officially full for the fall,” she added.

Collaborative curriculum work continued to take place over the summer, within and between grade levels, Anderson said. “A lot of great summer work has taken place,” she said. “Also, I’d like to say thank you to our maintenance team for their help in facilitating classroom moves and preparing classrooms for the fall.”

In business with the board, President Wendy Dyment provided everyone with Chautauqua County School Boards Association updates. She referenced a letter from CCSBA Executive Director Todd Crandall regarding the board’s objectives, activities and monthly professional development dinner meetings.

Dyment also mentioned the second reading of Policy 5679: Use of Force, and asked if any further discussion was needed. The board subsequently approved the policy and Tom Tarpley reminded everyone that in the transition from Interim Superintendent Shelly O’Boyle to Superintendent Sikorski, there were some changes in that policy.

Sikorski reassured the board that everything is in order regarding the policy. “We’re going to meet with the Chief of Police and get everybody on the same page with this,” he said.

In matters of personnel, board members approved the appointment of Crandall as Interim Secondary School Principal from Aug. 12, 2025 through on or before Oct. 31, 2025. “We’re lucky to have good people to take care of us while we look for a secondary principal,” Tarpley said.

Board member Deanne Manzella agreed with Tarpley’s observation. “As strongly as we are concerned when we have to hire someone new, because we always want our students to be in good hands, we are very grateful to Mrs. Hite and to Mr. Crandell,” she said.

Tarpley also thanked WACS facilities staff for their “behind the scenes” work in getting some serious situations resolved, like the bus garage roof. “I think it’s important to recognize that these are big ticket items,” he said. “Also, thank you to Mr. Melquist and Mr. Sikorski for clarifying everything.”