WESTFIELD — Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education members recently voted at their supplemental meeting, to combine the district’s modified track program with that of Chautauqua Lake Central School, but the future of the varsity track program remains uncertain.

At a previous board meeting, Superintendent David Davison asked board members to consider the pros and cons of joining Westfield’s modified program to that of Chautauqua Lake. Davison said he has had several conversations about the future of the district’s track program with WACS athletic director Jake Hitchcock.

According to Davison, Hitchcock said the district’s track field and facilities are not sufficient to allow participants the practice necessary for meets. For instance, Davison said, the district does not have the equipment or space for activities such as the high jump and pole vaulting.

Chautauqua Lake district was agreeable to combining the programs, Davison said. However, it will cost WACS approximately $6,000 to transport students. While the track program would begin in the spring, there are no funds budgeted for such an expense, he said.

Davison noted that this figure does not reflect the amount the district will save by not having to transport students to track meets. WACS School Board Vice President Phyllis Hagen suggested that the parents of students involved in the program might be willing to conduct fundraisers to help defray the cost.

Regarding the varsity track program, Davison said that Hitchcock reported that the sport has only one coach. “Jake said if we do not get more than one coach, we will not be able to run varsity track.” He noted that the program had nearly 60 students last year.

Davison said that there is no way the district could transport students in the varsity track program, however. “We do not physically have the buses or drivers,” according to Davison.

The district will strive to find at least one more coach for the varsity program. Unfortunately, if a coach cannot be found, the program will have to be canceled.