Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education members learned about the progress and timeline for the work on the Capital Improvement Project at their meeting earlier this month.

WACS Superintendent Ryan Sikorski told board members the foundation for the new concession stand has been poured and the new scoreboard has been delivered. Also, he reported that the internal wall tiling has been laid, and is awaiting final approval before the work begins full time.

Beginning this week, abatement signs were to be posted, Sikorski said. However, no work will begin until summer vacation. Abatement work is scheduled to begin on June 29.

Also, on June 29, the facilities behind the school will be closed, Sikorski said. This includes parking behind the building, the tennis courts and the playground area.

Sikorski also updated the board on the Institute for Trauma sessions offered by the University of Buffalo, that some faculty and staff members have been attending. “Mrs. (Lauren) Harper and I met with UB last week to begin discussing our future work,” he said. “In addition to once again offering the micro credential, we will look to begin champion teamwork.”

Sikorski explained the champion team will be made up of 10 people who completed the micro credential this year. “Their charge, working alongside district administrators, will be to look at different district systems and practices and come up with a plan to make them more responsive to the needs our students are presenting,” he said.

In another matter, board members approved a motion to participate with the RIC ONE Risk Operations Center (ROC) for the 2026-27 school year.

By approving this motion, the board authorizes the Risk Operations Center and its attorneys to negotiate Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs) with vendors and third-party contractors.

The resolution states that “Westfield Academy and Central School District Board of Education reserves to itself the right to make determinations regarding the use of such Data Privacy Agreements and the software and/or technology resources to which they relate, and to consult with its own legal counsel to review any specific issues or concerns before executing any DPA.”

In other business, board members approved several shared sports mergers with Chautauqua Lake Central School, including Football & Girls Swimming, Girls Modified and Varsity Soccer, Boys Modified and Varsity Soccer, Co-ed Ski Club, and Co-ed Track.

An overnight field trip to New York City for the Class of 2027 from June 2, 2027 through June 4, 2027 was also approved by board members.

In matters of personnel, the board accepted two resignations for the purpose of retirement. Patricia White, Teaching Assistant, with thanks and appreciation for 24 years of service; Lori Young, Clerk lI (reception), with thanks and appreciation for 38 years of service, both effective July 1, 2026.

Board members approved the appointment of Kris Soderberg as School Psychologist for tenure, effective June 30, and the Memorandum of Agreement for Joshua Melquist as Acting District Clerk from June 1 through July 31.

As recommended by Elementary Principal Molly Anderson and Director of Instruction and Special Education Lauren Harper, the board approved the summer school staff. These appointments include classroom staffing, support staff, and nursing staff. “The team consists of individuals with years of summer experience and a philosophy that aligns with our summer program goals,” said Anderson and Harper. “Also on this list are staff members tasked with reviewing, proctoring, and scoring the August Regents exams. ”

During the period of board member commentary, Tom Tarpley commented on the recently approved state budget, which includes a five-year extension to the mandate for school districts to purchase electric school buses. “I hope this is the beginning of the end of the electric school bus mandate in New York state,” he said. “I want to thank my fellow board members for having the courage to stand up and fight back against buses which cost substantially more than diesel-powered buses, and which create uncomfortable conditions for students in the winter because drivers have to turn off the heater to ensure the buses have enough power to operate.”

Tarpley expressed disappointment with area school districts who tried to get their residents to purchase electric school buses. “For an extended period of time, the WACS board, with the support of state Sen. George Borello, were the only ones fighting for our taxpayers and our students,” he said. “Eventually, over time, public pressure forced other boards to begin speaking out, which ultimately resulted in the extension of the mandate by the state.”