Westwood Heights board approves budget items, vendor payments and staffing reductions; principal resignation accepted

The Westwood Heights Schools Board of Education on an August meeting approved the district's financial report, authorized final vendor payments for completed projects, accepted multiple resignations including the high school principal, and approved a staffing reduction that pauses the construction trades program for the coming school year.

The board voted unanimously on all items that came before it on the consent and action portions of the agenda. The adopted financial report included line-item approvals for internal and program funds and a set of final invoices to contractors that the board said were verified as complete.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of financial report and bills payable: motion moved by Miss Johnson, supported by Miss Corburn; motion carried, 7-0. Amounts listed in the motion: Internal $4,192.62; General Fund $773,851.46; Athletic $3,207.50; Food Service $4,776.59; Building and Sites $785,839.70.
- Acceptance of donations to the band, total $800: moved by Miss Johnson, supported by Miss Corburn; carried, 7-0.
- Final invoice payment to Nerd Express, $16,083.44 (districtwide keyless entry system project completed): moved by Miss Johnson, supported by Miss Corburn; carried, 7-0.
- Payment to JT's Quality Contracting, $17,500 (portable building work at McMonaco Elementary verified complete): moved by Miss Johnson, supported by Miss Corburn; carried, 7-0.
- Acceptance of resignation of the high school principal, effective Aug. 6, 2025: moved by Miss Johnson, supported by Mr. Fikes; carried, 7-0.
- Acceptance of resignation of Ashley Bootcamp (name as submitted in personnel packet): moved by Miss Johnson, supported by Mr. Fikes; carried, 7-0.
- Staffing reduction and program pause (construction trades program paused for the year; layoff of one teacher and two health support assistants): moved by Miss Turner, supported by Mr. Fikes; carried, 7-0.
- Contract rate renewals for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 as proposed for staff: moved by Miss Johnson, supported by Miss Corburn; carried, 7-0.

Board members said the staffing reductions were driven by enrollment and budget constraints and by low student sign-up for the construction trades elective. "They were hired as a response to COVID-19," said Miss Turner, referring to two health support assistants. "When we hired them, they understood that that was going to be a temporary thing, and we tried to hold on to them as long as we could. But now it is time." Turner also described the construction trades program as costing more than it currently benefits the district because not enough students elected the course.

Board discussion included procedural items (approval of the agenda and a short recess) but focused primarily on aligning staffing with enrollment and fiscal realities. Trustees said the construction trades program is paused, not permanently eliminated, and that the district will consider reopening it if student interest or funding improves. Board members also noted an option for students to pursue similar programs through the Genesee Intermediate School District's regional offerings.

The board accepted two resignations submitted in the personnel packet, including the high school principal's resignation effective Aug. 6, 2025. Trustees said the principal post will be posted internally first and then externally if necessary.

The board approved several vendor payments for work the administration verified as complete, including the districtwide keyless entry system and a portable classroom at McMonaco Elementary.

The meeting record shows unanimous votes (7-0) on each action item recorded during the meeting.

Less-critical items and the superintendent's informational updates concluded the session; the board set the vice president election for a future meeting after members raised procedural concerns about electing officers during the current agenda.

Ending

Trustees said they will revisit staffing and program decisions if enrollment or funding conditions change. The district will post the principal vacancy internally first and continue routine contract and finance oversight as the new school year approaches.