Westhampton Beach High School Students Return To Full In-Person Instruction

A recent Westhampton Beach School District survey of high school parents revealed that 75 percent of those who responded are in favor of their children returning to daily in-person learning. That’s why beginning March 8, following a staggered schedule, those in ninth through 12th grade will be returning to live in-person instruction.

“Parents will have the option of returning their children to daily in-person instruction or selecting a fully remote livestreaming option,” Superintendent Michael Radday said in a letter to parents dated February 25, adding that an additional survey was being sent out to ask about transportation plans. “If possible, we are requesting that you drive your children to school or find an alternate means of transportation so that we can reduce crowding on school buses.”

But the superintendent also noted that the return to daily in-person learning results in students no longer maintaining 6 feet of physical distancing in classrooms, hallways and common areas.

“The district has installed desk shields in all classrooms and in the cafeteria as an additional mitigation measure,” he said. “We will also continue to require face coverings for all students and staff.”

The district Board of Education unanimously approved the measure at its March 2 meeting. Beginning Monday, March 8, seniors will return to classes within the high school building five days a week. Full-time in-person teaching will begin for freshman on March 11, sophomores on March 15 and juniors on March 18.

Currently, the district is proposing a 1.64 percent year-over-year budget increase, according to Mr. Radday.

“We’re really closing in on getting below that tax cap number,” the superintendent said. “We have some work to do, but it’s a much better picture than we thought originally, as we look at some of the revenue streams.”

Assistant Superintendent for Business Kathleen O'Hara said the budget as presented puts the district about $45,000 over what the tax cap would be. She said in years past, the district has had to cut about $300,000, so she thinks it’s in good shape.

“And once we have a better picture for the revenue — if this stimulus package goes the way [Governor Andrew] Cuomo was saying — we may be getting more aid for COVID-19-related expenses, which would really be helpful for us,” Ms. O’Hara said. “I’m cautiously optimistic.”

Mr. Radday said making the necessary cuts to come below the threshold if no extra funds come in would be doable.

“We can take a scalpel to this and get below the tax cap without any significant damage going forward,” he said. “So, I think it is looking much better of a budget picture considering where we started.”

Buildings and grounds crew leader Anthony Verga said maintenance costs will go up 20 percent next school year. He is requesting $65,000 for a new Jacobsen-brand mower to replace the one built in 1972 the district is currently using.

“We’ve cannot repair it anymore. We tried our best,” Mr. Verga said. “It’s too dangerous now for anyone to really drive it.”

The rest of the buildings and grounds budget remains flat, but the crew leader did report a 2.82 percent increase in the operations budget for equipment, like a new salt spreader to replace the district’s irreparable one and two backpack vacuums for two that are broken. Lawn maintenance, water and vendor prices have also increased, he said, as well as the cost for cleaning due to the new MERV-13 air filters that meet COVID-19 safety protocols and need constant replacing.

There is also an increase in the capital budget for repairs that are currently underway on the middle school roof.

Director of Pupil Personnel Services MaryAnn Ambrosini is proposing a 1.12-percent increase in the special education budget, in anticipation of the rise of costs associated with delivering services to students with disabilities. The nurse budget, she reported, is also seeing a slight increase at the elementary and middle school levels to cover the costs of personal protective equipment for the staff and the offices.

Middle School Principal Charisse Miller said she is solely looking to purchase new tables next year, or desks if the COVID-19 protocols still do not allow for tables in classrooms, to accommodate a slight increase in student population. Last year, the original 158 students enrolled in seventh grade changed to 176, and currently 164 seventh-graders are projected to be enrolled next year, so she sees that number fluctuating. All other line items remain flat, and because she’s seen a decrease in funds used for the theater programs over the last few years, she’s proposing a $5,000 cut to offset the cost of new desks.