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.
Dave Prenatt
WESTFIELD Westfield Academy and Central School officials say they are resolved to be “proactive” by seeking consent forms for COVID-19 rapid testing in the event that the area should be designated a yellow zone, board of education members learned at their regular meeting Jan. 11.
Michael Cipolla, Westfield superintendent, told board members that there has been no indication that Westfield will be designated a yellow zone, in which case the district would be required to test 20% of its in-person population, including students and staff during a two-week period.
“We have to be prepared in the event New York State would designate Westfield as a yellow zone,” Cipolla said. “I think it’s time to be proactive and gather consents for testing.”
WACS board member Steve Cockram.
WESTFIELD Like other schools in the area, the Westfield Academy and Central School District finds itself in the position of having to fight for reimbursement for transportation costs incurred while delivering meals and instructional materials to students from March 16 through the end of June.
A letter drafted by WACS board of education member Steve Cockram and endorsed by the Administration, Board of Education, Westfield Teachers Association, and Internal Support Staff was sent to Phyllis Morris, the state Education Department chief financial officer. Copies were also sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, and state Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown.
WESTFIELD Village Mayor Michael VandeVelde has announced his intention to run for re-election in March.
“I have been humbled and encouraged by the number of people urging me to run for another term,” he said. “I am proud of what has been accomplished over the past eight years working together with the members of the village board, our fantastic employees and our business, civic and spiritual leaders. I am excited at the prospect of an opportunity to move past the pandemic of the last year and get back to moving the village forward.”
During his time as mayor, VandeVelde said officials have engaged with the community, developed regional partnerships and instituted a multiyear budgeting process, allowing them to rebuild a surplus and address long-delayed projects and other infrastructure improvements.