Incumbent board member seeks re-election
By Andrew Harris
We’ve asked four candidates on the Tuesday May 20 ballot some big picture questions to give voters more insight into each potential future school board members. Voting will take place at the Wellsville Secondary School from noon until 9pm, Riverside Lobby entrance
SUN: WCSD spending on athletics, athletic facilities, and athletic administration has been hot-button issue for several years. Based on recent state academic assessments, student performance is a serious concern. Is the district allocating too many resources to athletics at the expense of academics ?
PETTENATI: “My belief in and support for maintaining our facilities goes hand in hand with our commitment to improving educational outcomes. Infrastructure spending at Wellsville Central School is guided by professional recommendations, specifically the building and conditions report. Whether it’s athletic facilities, bathroom renovations, the creation of STEM classrooms, or parking lot repairs, maintaining the integrity and safety of our school buildings is essential.
Upgrading athletic facilities, heating systems or bathrooms is part of necessary upkeep and should not be viewed as the root cause of academic challenges. Infrastructure spending does not detract from efforts to improve educational outcomes. We have been fiscally responsible by setting aside unused funds to cover the local taxpayer share, minimizing any additional burden on the community.
At the same time, I do not want to overlook the importance of improving our state academic assessments. Strong performance on academic assessments is linked to college and career readiness. These tests help ensure that students are developing the skills they need to succeed beyond high school. We recently conducted a superintendent search and selected a new superintendent, in part, based on those concerns. He presented us with a clear pathway to improving our academic results, and I look forward to seeing greater success in our state testing.
As a parent and grandparent, I recognize that it is not solely the school’s responsibility. It is important that we all take time out of our day to read—to our children and/or grandchildren. I promise you will see positive results from your child. They are definitely worth it.”
SUN: Financial viability is a concern for all Allegany County public schools. Is it time to consolidate our schools into a county school system ? Should Wellsville CSD lead that transformation?
PETTENATI: We must recognize that many of our schools serve as vital centers and are the ‘heart’ of their communities. I am open to exploring the idea of school consolidation, knowing that consolidation is a complex and challenging process. What excites me more, however, is the growing movement toward regional collaboration among schools. I want Wellsville to be a leader in those efforts such as aligning academic calendars and schedules, sharing services, and expanding class offerings are already creating meaningful opportunities. For example, a student at another school might soon be able to take calculus through Wellsville, while a Wellsville student could enroll in an AP course offered by another district. As one of the larger districts in the county, Wellsville Central School is well-positioned to lead a conversation about exploring regional collaborations. The district has experience managing complex operations and a track record of academic and fiscal responsibility. This effort is going to require vision, transparency, and a commitment across all communities involved. This kind of regional collaboration holds the potential for significant cost savings and expanded educational access for all students in our area.”
SUN: What is your biggest concern for Wellsville CSD and how do you plan to be part of solving that problem if elected ?
PETTENATI: My biggest concern for Wellsville Central School District is making sure that all students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for success—whether in college, military, careers, or other paths. Making sure that all students are treated with respect and given the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are facing challenges in academic performance that need to be addressed. If elected, I plan to support data-driven strategies. We must strengthen our partnerships between teachers, families, and the community, while maintaining smart investments that directly impact student learning. I believe in focusing on what matters the most: our students, our schools and our community.”
