Shelly O’Boyle, interim Westfield Academy and Central School superintendent, is pictured. Photo by David Prenatt

WESTFIELD – Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education members learned why the district’s enrollment data showed a loss of 25 students between September and January.

Interim Superintendent Shelly O’Boyle told the board that there has, in fact, been a loss of 25 students and there are reasons for this.

“The numbers are correct,” she said. “There was a loss of 25 students in our district. You can see how the numbers pop up, pop down, pop up, pop down . . .”

O’Boyle explained the enrollment figures, noting that there are many factors which are often not considered regarding enrollment.

“There are things you wouldn’t think of when discussing enrollment,” she said. “For example, some students are sitting in other placements outside the district.”

O’Boyle went on to explain some of the circumstances that are faced by the district. Westfield has a subsidized hotel, which creates short-term enrollments, she said. Also, home instruction creates fluctuations.

“We have parents who take their students out for home instruction, then re-enroll them; some do this repeatedly,” she said.

While the total district enrollment as of March 20 is 620, it is difficult to have clear enrollment numbers at this point.

“If we look at (Michael) Cipolla’s numbers, he included some students that I would not include but his numbers from September to December of this year also reflected a decrease of 16 students.” We are working with BOCES to clean up our Power School PowerSchool to have clear enrollment numbers,” O’Boyle said.

In another matter, Joshua Melquist, district business manager, presented more budget information. Board members discussed several matters and decisions which needed to be made to keep the tax levy increase as low as possible.

Following the explanation of recommendations from Melquist and O’Boyle, Melquist told board members that a tax levy increase of 1.7% should provide the district with the $106,468 in needed revenue.

Board members Tom Tarpley and Deanne Manzella noted the public should be aware of the “tough decisions” that were made to keep expenses in check.

“I think the public will receive this well,” said Tarpley. “I think we’ve made personnel decisions based on current enrollment, but it is always an emotional decision.”

In other business, board members approved the adoption of Policy 1130: Ex-Officio Student Board member, which was discussed during a prior board meeting. According to a state mandate, the student member will be entitled to sit with board members at all public meetings and hearings, but will not be allowed to vote or attend executive sessions.

O’Boyle asked the board to take action to formally accept the donation of $1,000 from the Westfield Development Corp. for materials and supplies so Dan Martin’s class can build benches for the Village of Westfield.

“Ms. Judy Einach had previously worked with Mr. Cipolla to coordinate this project,” she said. “Building of these benches will not incur expense to the district and will be used as a … teaching opportunity for the students.”

The board subsequently accepted the donation for the Westfield Community Bench Project.

In matters of personnel, the board approved several appointments, either for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year or for 2025 spring sports. Based on written recommendations from Secondary Principal Corey Markham, the following appointments were approved: Michael Johnson as Assistant Baseball coach, Allison Romain as a substitute teacher and teaching assistant, Sophie Devlin as an intern with the Guidance Counselor and PPS Office, Julianne Valone as JV Girls Softball Coach, Joe Russo as an Assistant Baseball Coach, and Robert Burgess as an Assistant Baseball coach.

During the period of board commentary, Tarpley again commented on the proposed 2025-26 district budget.

“I want to comment on the budget process this year. I want to thank everyone who played such an important role and made it easy to understand,” he said. “It all boils down to making tough decisions and communicating why those decisions have to be made.”