Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education members approved six teachers for tenure at their regular meeting in April.

The board approved Nicholas Brisky for tenure in the Special Education area, Keely Burlett for tenure in the English area, Kyle Petersen for tenure in the Social Studies area, Mallory Vallieres and Amanda Feraldi for tenure in the Art area, all effective July 1. Also, Julianne Valone was approved for tenure in the Physical Education area, effective Aug. 16.

Board member Tom Tarpley noted that being approved for tenure is a great accomplishment and the number of teachers approved was extraordinary.

“The number of people obtaining tenure tonight speaks volumes about the quality of teachers we have in our district, and the great work they do educating our students,” he said. “Congratulations and thank you to all of them.”

In a related matter, School Business Administrator Joshua Melquist told board members that health insurance costs are finalized and six employees have been added to the insurance.

Melquist reviewed the proposed 2025-26 district budget, noting that several high cost items, such as insurance, are uncontrollable. He illustrated how these items show a year to year increase, which “can really drive up expenditures.”

Melquist told the board the high cost items which the district cannot control include transportation vehicles, special education student services, Jamestown Community College, health insurance, retirement costs, social security and debt service.

“These uncontrollables drive up your costs,” he said.

The district has been conservative about tax levy increases, but keeping increases low can adversely impact subsequent budgets, Melquist said.

“We’ve been very prudent about maintaining a tax levy that is manageable, but those past years can come back to haunt you,” he said.

Melquist told the board the 2024-25 budget was $18.5 million and the proposed 2025-26 budget is $19.7 million, which reflects an increase of $1,140,018 or 6.13%. He explained state aid increases have helped to balance the budget and keep the tax levy down, and most of the district’s revenue is from state aid.

The maximum allowable tax levy increase is 4.79%, Melquist said, but the proposed increase for 2025-26 is 1.7%. The estimated increase per $100,000 of assessed property value is $42, which is slightly below the average for districts in this area, he said.

Melquist noted state aid estimates are just projections.

“We still do not have a state budget, we are using estimates,” he said. “If something major changes, we will inform the board directly.”

The board subsequently approved a resolution that the budget for the Westfield Academy and Central School District, fiscal year commencing July 1 and ending June 30, 2026 is approved and adopted in the amount of $19,732,097. This will be placed before voters on May 20.

In another matter, Interim Superintendent Shelly O’Boyle told the board that Policy 5240 – School Tax Assessment and Collection/Property Tax Exemption, has been rescinded, effective April 14, 2025.

O’Boyle said Policy 5240 must now be archived. Board President Wendy Dyment noted that this is an unusual occurrence.

“This is the first time in my time on the board that a policy has been rescinded,” she said.

O’Boyle also told board members that the Sandy Hook Promise’s no-cost Say Something program, which teaches elementary, middle, and high school students to recognize the warning signs of someone at-risk of hurting themselves or others, has been renewed.

“Students can report to a trusted adult if they see warning signs,” she said. “This has been renewed for three years.”

O’Boyle also commented on recent accomplishments in the district, including the school musical.

“I want to thank the Key Club and Ms. Zastrow for the elementary Easter egg hunt,” she said. “Although, I personally could not attend the school musical, ‘The Wiz,’ I have heard nothing but accolades about it.”