David Prenatt
WESTFIELD — Westfield Academy and Central School Board members approved a proposed 2021-22 budget at their regular meeting this month that includes a smaller tax levy increase than originally projected.
Board members voted to approve the $16,993,953 budget as presented with the provision that the proposed tax levy increase of more than $119,000, or or 1.9%, be decreased by $50,000. This placed the tax levy increase at $69,676, or 1.14%. The decrease was made possible by an increase of state aid from the 2020-21 budget to the proposed 2021-22 budget of about $358,755.
Portions of the increased aid will be dedicated to meeting the learning needs that students have experienced during the pandemic.