WESTFIELD - At a recent Westfield Academy Central School Board meeting, the board was given an update on the mentoring program for WACS teachers.
Kendra Bills and Laura Wilson spoke about how the program is being tweaked in order to be compliant with New York State regulations. The program will go from one to three years for non-tenure hires. In addition to monthly meetings, new teachers will also be assigned a personal mentor. Interim Superintendent Margaret Sauer complimented the ladies, noting they are doing all this work on the program voluntarily. The board approved the updates later in the meeting.
Secondary Principal Ivana Hite introduced the valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2011-12 school year. Alec Freyn is the valedictorian and will be attending the Rochester Institute of Technology this fall for a degree in biomolecular science and biotechnology. He hopes to continue his education by going to graduate school for immunology, specifically focusing on disease control and prevention. Joseph Marshall is salutatorian and will be attending Jamestown Community College majoring in biotechnology. Though he has not made any final plans as to which college he will transfer to or what his future career plans are, he is interested in a career in science or the biomedical industry.
With the district preparing for its 175th anniversary, the board discussed the possibility of hosting a reception during alumni weekend, offering building tours and/or officially dedicating the Wayside building to Dr. Van Laughlin. Both Edwards and board member Francine Brown volunteered to work more on the options.
In her board commentary Edwards commented on the number of changes and good-byes this year, noting the large turnaround, both in superintendents and board members, five of whom started this school year on the board but will not be there this fall. However, she saw a glimmer of hope with seven people interested in running for the board in the May election, noting the board needs to have fresh eyes, more people and more help.
In other business:
The board was notified Primary Principal Paula Troutman received tenure effective May 8.
Proposed amendments to the CCSBA Constitution and by-laws were approved and members were elected to serve on the CCSBA Executive Committee.
Two WACS elementary classrooms were approved for use by the YWCA and UPK/Head Start for their UPK programs for the 2012-13 school year.
Cleaner William Dulmus' resignation for the purpose of retirement was accepted.
The following teachers were added to the district's preferred eligibility list - Geraldine Beers, Mark Minnick, Kimberly Tiberio, Ann Janik, Jennifer Kilcoyne, Roger Chagnon III, Jane Gens, Jacob Hitchcock, Molly Anderson and Bryan Olson.
Teachers Chantelle Liddell, Tamara Meyer, Bryan Olson, Ashley Raynor and Douglas Tramontana were appointed to tenured positions.
Teaching assistant Megan Baumgarden was advanced to the second step hourly rate due to satisfactory performance effective May 15.
Amanda Pearo was appointed as a long-term certified substitute teachers in the music department effective May 9 through June 22.
Kathy Ponka, Christine Jacobson, Michael Mohart, Melanie Brushaber-Goulding and Christina Black were approved as certified substitute teacher for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year effective May 15.
Linda John was approved as an uncertified substitute teacher for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year effective May 15.
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