High on the agenda was the issue of facilities for the performing arts at Westfield High School. Aaron Boyd, representing the performing arts programs, voiced concerns over the deteriorating state of the stage lighting and sound equipment, emphasizing the need for urgent improvements. Boyd remarked on the inadequacy of the existing infrastructure by stating, “We still deal with broken stage lights and messed up speakers.” His sentiments were echoed by students like Autumn Estee and Caden Smith, who described the lighting fixtures as nearly 50 years old, with a mere 20% still functioning. Estee highlighted the lack of adequate financial support for the arts despite its positive impact on students’ lives, while Smith warned that the lighting system’s condition was not just outdated but potentially dangerous.

The community’s call for action was not limited to the arts. Concerns about fair compensation for school staff, particularly those in food services, were brought to the forefront by speakers like Sue Wood and Patricia Petite. Wood, with nine years of experience in the food service program, underscored the need for equitable pay and recognition, pointing out that current hiring practices favored external candidates with higher pay over long-serving employees. Petite, with over 25 years in food service, expressed dismay at the low wages offered, questioning how the school could attract and retain qualified personnel under such conditions. She stressed that adequate compensation was essential to support the workers who provide meals to students.

These concerns were further amplified by discussions on pay disparities, as one speaker pointed out the significant gap between management and staff raises, with the former set to receive an 11% raise over three years compared to the latter’s 4%. The lack of sufficient training opportunities for staff, with only a fraction able to attend recent sessions, also added to the frustration.

Teachers Ms. Olivia Diamond and Ms. Jordan Eker, along with students James Kane and Lila Cremona, detailed their experiences with these hands-on, problem-solving curricula, emphasizing the programs’ role in fostering skills such as perseverance and confidence.

The committee approved several grants, including a $240,000 Irene and Georgia Davis Foundation grant for Ignite Reading tutoring seats, a $42,000 Hate Crime Prevention grant, and a $50,000 Innovation Career Pathways Implementation Support grant for Westfield High School. These grants are set to enhance educational and safety programs across the district.

The meeting also covered routine approvals, including the Westfield Technical Academy House Building Agreement and the school calendars for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years. A notable initiative discussed was the formation of an Artificial Intelligence Development Committee to guide the ethical use of AI in education, with students participating in the discussions.

The Superintendent provided updates on various district initiatives, including the successful attendance rates at Westfield Technical Academy and upcoming visits from Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. The meeting concluded with a reminder of the next scheduled session on November 3rd and a unanimous motion to adjourn.