State Assemblyman tours WCSD schools

New York State Assemblyman Anil Beephan Jr., R-East Fishkill, visited with Webutuck Central School District administrators to tour the three-school campus, meet students and staff, and have lunch in the high school cafeteria on Sept. 29.

“My goal is to learn more about the district and share that with Albany, so you will have all the funding and resources to keep doing your jobs,” said Beephan.

Deputy Superintendent Robert Farrier led Beephan on the campus tour with Business Administrator Robert Knuschke; Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Lauren Marquis, and School Board Vice President Joanne Boyd.

“We have great things going on and we wanted to make sure we showcase that today,” said Farrier.

Beephan stopped in the two pre-K3 classrooms, which are part of the first such program in a Dutchess County public school. The program began in 2025 with one class and added a second class for the current school year.

Beephan visited with a third grade class and a fifth grade class, where students were just completing a session with members of the Ancram Center for the Arts. Beephan offered the third and fifth graders the opportunity to write him with any questions they may have for him.

Beephan also visited the weight and trainer’s room, the intermediate and high school nurses office, where he learned more about the School-Based Health Clinic, operated by the Open Door Care Network. The School-Based Health Center remains the only one at a Dutchess County school.

“I speak very loudly and boldly about your School-Based Health Center here,” he said. “I think community-based medical is so necessary, especially in this part of the county, and I think that could truly be a model for other schools not only in my district but across the state.”

Beephan added, “I believe in a bottom-up approach when it comes to governance and you know I don’t want Albany dictating what you must do. I think you all are the experts. You know your community the best and you know that’s really where I learn a lot about these communities and how things really work on the inside. I think the goal today is to share those visions with me and I take that back to Albany.”

The tour stopped in the cafeteria to meet with Food Services Director Dan Trotter before enjoying a lunch that included sandwiches and salads.

“We welcome any and all that want to come and visit,” said Farrier. “We always encourage them to stay for lunch and experience our great food service department as well.”