WACS student Addison Lendt attended the Board of Education meeting as its first ex-officio member.

WESTFIELD — At its regular meeting this month, Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education members learned that the transition to a policy of no internet enabled devices during school hours has been “surprisingly easy.”

Interim Secondary Principal Todd Crandall said that the biggest question for the start of the new school year was how well the implementation of the cell phone ban would be accepted by the students. “To my surprise, only three or four cell phones had to be taken away by a teacher and only one student received detention,” he said.

Crandall said he has been meeting with individual classes, as well as speaking with students in the hallways and they have been very welcoming to him. “My impression is that most of the students are embracing the new policy. I went into the cafeteria and there were four tables with students playing Uno,” he said.

District Superintendent Ryan Sikorski said the school year is off to a good start and was also surprised there were very few issues with the cell phone ban. “It’s a testimony to the teachers who have been completely supportive of the new policy,” he said. “We are off to a very strong start,” he said.

Addison Lendt, the new ex-officio student school board member, was warmly welcomed by the board when she arrived at the meeting. She, too, said that most of the students are happy to leave their cell phones behind. “I really appreciate not having a cell phone during classes, as do my peers,” she said. “Overall, I think the cell phone policy has made an awesome change to our school.”

Also, in his report to the board, Sikorski commented on the Portrait of a Graduate Program being initiated by the state. By 2027, students who are seventh-graders now, will be required to earn one CTE credit, he said. By 2029, students who are currently in the fifth grade will have to demonstrate proficiency in a number of areas.

Sikorski went on to say many districts have already begun to embrace the Portrait of a Graduate curriculum. The state lets districts decide when they want to adopt the new curriculum he said. “I was pleased that Westfield decided to wait on the rollout and see what the commentary from the educators around the State had to offer,” he added.

Waiting will give the district time to ensure a rollout that is aligned to the State Standards and measures accurately what the students have learned, Sikorski said. “It is something that is coming, but we will have time to prepare,” he said.

In his report to the board, Crandall said the summer programs were very successful. “It was a fairly productive summer for our high school students,” he said.

Crandall went on to say he is “super excited that three students were chosen by the NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensemble and Symphonic band.” Grace Wolfe was selected for Mixed Chorus – Alto 2, Shelby Begier was chosen for Symphonic Band- flute – Pt. 2 and Zachary Wolfe was selected as Alternate – Bass 1, he said. “I’m pretty sure all three of them are going to play,” he added.

Elementary Principal Molly Anderson told board members the elementary students had a good opening week. “Students and teachers have done a great job reestablishing routines for a successful school year,” she said.

Anderson also told the board that Open House was well attended at the elementary level. “Thank you to all of our families that attended, to our PTO for their participation, and to our staff for an evening that set the tone for a wonderful school year,” she said. Board member Phyllis Hagen said it was amazing the number of people who came, “even with the not so nice weather.”

Anderson updated board members on the elementary curriculum and the PAWS Program, “We are continuing work in PAWS class for elementary students during one 30-minute period per week,” she said. “Also, Speech, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy services began on September 8.”

Director of Special Education & Instruction, Lauren Harper, shared grades three to eight state test results for the last three years. She told board members that very few students are opting out of state tests. “There were only six in ELA and six in Math who opted out,” she said.

Board member Tom Tarpley reminded the board he had been very vocal about the opt-out numbers being too high in past years. “Thank you to the staff for bringing those opt out number down,” he said. “We’re seeing great progress.”

In other business of the board, meal rates for the 2025-26 school year were approved as Breakfast: $2.05 and Lunch: $2.75. Also, Wade Dellow, Laura Wilson, Keely Burlett and Amanda Reese were approved for proctoring, administering and scoring of Regents exams, and the board accepted the donation of $2,000 from Gordon W. Jones Associates Architects for a sponsored District Luncheon on Opening Day.