The craziness of the final months of school is running full throttle. Take a quick glance at the school calendar and it is easy to see that in addition to learning there is a lot going on in our buildings and on our grounds. Please check the school website, www.wccsk12.org, and calendar regularly for weekly, even daily, updates.

With schools having to keep tight budgets due to state aid figures not meeting increasing costs, and a tax cap that places additional burdens on the budget, districts within the Express coverage area each saw their budget pass with ease Tuesday.

The Wayland-Cohocton Middle School Marching Band did a great job leading the Victory Park Opening Day parade. The group opened the event with “The Star-Spangled Banner” making it a fantastic celebration of softball and baseball. Look for both bands performing in the Dogwood Parade on May 19 and in the Memorial Day parades throughout the district. Their time, energy and talent certainly make for a fun celebration.

We have arrived at May and the final two months of school. With the NYS ELA and mathematics testing behind us, some high school students are currently preparing for their Advanced Placement exams during the next two weeks. The schedule has been posted to the high school homepage for anyone looking for the information. Friday, May 11, marks the end of the 35 weeks bringing students just five weeks from the end of the school year!

It was a tough decision. Does the district go with a 2 percent tax cap even though it’s not enough — yet it’s too much?

That’s the dilemma state aid formulas have given Wayland–Cohocton Board of Education this budget season.

When all was said and done, the WCCS board agreed to present the public with a $28.4 million budget for next school year.

Students have returned to school and a very busy week. This week is the NYS English Language Arts exams for students in grades three through eight. Next week the same students will be tested in mathematics on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Please help your children arrive to school well-rested and ready to take on this challenge. Help calm their nerves with positive reinforcement and encouragement. Remember, breakfast is served at school for those crazy mornings when you need a nutritious start to your day.

Don’t miss the final spring break swim on Saturday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Wayland-Cohocton boys’ basketball team held its championship sports banquet April 1 to celebrate a “dream season.” This year’s boys’ team won the first division title in 41 years, were class BB champions for the first time in 17 years and was the first Livingston Conference team in history to represent Section V at the class B state level in the Far West Regionals.

Students in Kristina Loop’s fifth- throuth eighth-grade health classes at Wayland-Cohocton Middle School had a presentation from a guest speaker this year.

Today, Thursday, April 5, marks the end of the 30 weeks, taking students to the final stretch of school.

After attending the Wayland-Cohocton Central School Board Meeting on Monday night, I have some observations that I think are important. I believe I have always been publicly supportive of the hard-working teachers and staff at the school and know many of them personally. I realize that they have suffered many cuts and changes over the past few years that have created hardships. But, I also believe that times are changing and these changes have hit every sector of the public in New York state as well as most private businesses. It’s more the norm than the exception that everyone is paying more for benefits, getting smaller raises or not getting raises at all. Some of us are paying more for health insurance, receiving less coverage and not getting a raise next year.

You won’t want to miss the second annual benefit dance for the Frank Mochol Memorial Scholarship Fund 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at the Wayland–Cohocton High School cafeteria.

Congratulations to Evan Englert in boys’ basketball and Carly Miceli in cheerleading who were selected to participate in the Ronald McDonald game on Saturday, March 24, at 3 p.m. in Gates Chili. This event selects outstanding Section V athletes from the area to participate in a game with all proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester.

Wayland-Cohocton board of education was given a budget reduction plan by Superintendent Michael Wetherbee during Monday night's regular meeting.

Congratulations to the boys’ basketball team and their Section V title.

Don’t miss the free family swim night sponsored by PTSA 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 3.

Congratulations to the girls’ indoor track team earning the Section V title. Boys’ indoor track also had an exceptional performance with many best times and some records. The boys’ swim team placed third at Section V competition. We are proud of the performance of our athletes both on the field and in the classroom.

As part of budget presentations conducted during recent school board meetings, Superintendent Michael Wetherbee addressed the instructional portion of the budget Tuesday night.

Students are headed out for winter recess Monday through Friday, Feb. 20-24. Classes will resume on Feb. 27. The Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the LGI. This is a change in the usual Monday night meeting night to accommodate the Presidents’ Day holiday.

A larger than usual crowd attended the Wayland-Cohocton Central School board meeting Monday. It seems most were there to hear the latest budget presentation and speak out against a proposed staff cut to the music department.