In a week, area residents will be voting on millions of dollars when they decide on school budgets. One of the most interesting discussions this year took place in Westfield in recent months.

Board of Education members were open and frank about the situation they were facing. Enrollment showed minor declines but costs were going up.

One way to reduce the burden on taxpayers is to find positions that may not need to be replaced. Last year, Westfield decided not to hire an open second-grade teacher post. This year, they did something similar.

At the board meeting on March 10, the board accepted the resignation for the purpose of retirement of a kindergarten teacher. Interim Superintendent Shelly O’Boyle recommended the retiring elementary teacher should not be replaced.

“With declining enrollment trends, utilizing attrition to manage staffing levels is a more strategic and less disruptive approach than direct cuts,” she said.

Exactly.

Westfield’s budget includes a minimal tax increase. It would be worse if positions were filled just because they were there before.