At their meeting in October, Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education members expressed amazement at the number of athletes of distinction that come from the district.

Noting that the girls volleyball team was ranked No. 1 in Class D the week of September 29 in the state polls, several board members commended the district’s athletic programs. “We don’t live in a city, just the Village of Westfield,” said board member Tom Tarpley. “I am continually impressed with the amazing athletes that this community produces.”

At the Aug. 25 Board of Education meeting, District Superintendent Ryan Sikorski told board members that the district has again been recognized as a School of Distinction. “One hundred percent of our teams are recognized as being scholar-athletes,” he said. The school again received a plaque for being a School of Distinction.

Board President Wendy Dyment also commented on the number one ranking of the girls’ volleyball team, reminding fellow board members that when she began serving on the board in 2016-17, there was no such team. “We didn’t have a girls’ volleyball team when my tenure on the board began,” she said. “It was something that we brought back, and in less than ten years, we’ve built an amazing team.”

In a related matter, board members approved a resolution giving the Village of Westfield’s Recreation Department permission to use the facilities, as requested, at no cost for the sports games and practices handled by the recreation department for the 2025-26 school year. “The rec department does a wonderful job and helps so many kids in this community,” Tarpley said. “I’m so glad we are able to do this.”

Dyment also noted that Board of Education Recognition Week was Oct. 13 to 17. “Personally, I feel honored and privileged to serve on this board,” she said. “I’m looking forward to a great year.”

Board member Deanne Manzella also expressed her gratitude for being able to serve on the board. “I realize it is BOE Recognition Week, but I have to say that we are blessed to be able to serve this community,” she said. “We have great people and it is a privilege to serve.”

Sikorski thanked board members and presented each of them with a gift. “I want to offer my sincere thanks to all of our BOE members,” he said. “We have some Westfield branded umbrellas for each of you. We thought they were appropriate at this time of year.”

Sikorski also told the board that, as part of a tour through Western New York, he and other superintendents had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Rosa, Commissioner of Education for the State of New York. He said they had an opportunity to ask Dr. Rosa questions. They conversed about expediting teacher certification and the NYS Portrait of a Graduate Program.

Dr. Rosa also asked some questions, Sikorski said. “Dr. Rosa asked how we work with our local legislators,” Sikorski said. He responded that WACS invites them to the school and they often talk about equitable funding for districts throughout the state. “Sen. George Borello recently took a tour of the school,” Sikorski said. “He saw a number of classrooms, we talked through the capital project that is upcoming and he was interviewed on camera by our STEM class.”

In his report to the board, interim secondary principal Todd Crandall told the board that 30 students participated in the Gettysburg Trip from Oct. 8 to 10. “I’m happy to say we took 30 students to Gettysburg and brought 30 home,” he said. “They had a great time and they came back looking tired.”

Crandall reported the new policy regarding internet enabled devices has been very well accepted. “I could not be more pleased with our students,” he said. “The cell phone policy is being implemented flawlessly.”

Crandall also reported that he plans to meet with students to discuss Homecoming week. “I plan to ‘meet and debrief’ with Student Council and Class advisors to review/discuss how we can incorporate better controls and student behavioral expectations in regard to Homecoming week, Pep Assembly,and Homecoming dance,” he said. “It was a great week and we all had a great time, but I think we as adults can better communicate our expectations.”

Elementary Principal Molly Anderson reported that Fire Prevention Week ran from Oct. 6 to 10. “We partnered with the Westfield Fire Department to help educate and practice fire safety with our students,” she said. “They came to the school and did fun activities with students in their classrooms.”

Anderson also reported that Academic Intervention Services started on Oct. 6 for all students in grades 1-5. “Our elementary school is a Title 1, fully involved school,” she said. “So, all students in grades 1 to 5 receive AIS .”

In business of the board, members approved the Letter of Recommendation for the 2025 Bus Garage Emergency Roof Work from Gordon W. Jones Associates Architects P.C. and the Letter of Recommendation for the 2019 Excess Fund Capital Project from Gordon W. Jones Associates Architects P.C.

The board accepted the resignation of Mary Thompson as Teaching Assistant for the purpose of retirement, with thanks and appreciation for 28 years of service, effective November 30, 2025. Board members Dyment, Phyllis Hagen and Manzella all had favorable comments about Thompson. “Mrs. Thompson has been with this district for such a long time, she will definitely be missed,” Dyment said.

Board members also accepted the Independent Financial Audit report as presented by the firm of Drescher & Malecki LLP for the 2024-25 school year. The report is on the district’s website under Board of Education, 2025-26 Public Agendas and Enclosures, October 14, 2025 – Draft 2024-25 Independent Audit Document.