WESTFIELD – Westfield High School principal Charles Jendrysik and athletic director Eileen Flaherty asked the School Committee on Monday to grant an expenditure of School Choice funds to repair the EDventure ED ropes course at the high school.
School Committee member Ramon Diaz, Jr., WHS athletic director Eileen Flaherty and WHS principal Charles Jendrysik.
Flaherty said the course offers training in high ropes and low ropes, and helps to prepare physical education student leaders. She said the course needs substantial repairs to be re-certified, and is currently closed. She said the estimate on the course of repair is $9,151. “It has been a little neglected,” Flaherty said.
Jendrysik said that last year, being new to the school and district, he went to observe the class. “It was one of the best things I’ve seen, an outstanding experience for me,” he said. He called the course a “unique opportunity for Westfield,” and he was troubled that it might be an opportunity that was lost.
School Committee member Kevin Sullivan asked if the course could be salvaged to be used this year. Flaherty said the company she contacted said they could come as early as October 2, and thought they would salvage it for the spring, and some fall time. Both he and Mayor Brian P. Sullivan spoke about the time they spent on the course while students at the school.
School Committee member Ramon Diaz, Jr. said he also looked back fondly on the time he spent on the course. “It was one of the highlights of my high school. I got a lot out of the teamwork,” he said, adding that he used the skills learned later in the military. “School choice is intended for exactly this type of opportunity,” Diaz said.
“This is an example of maintenance not happening. I do support it, and thank you for bringing it up,” Cynthia Sullivan added.
A motion was made to expend the funds from School Choice, which passed unanimously.
