April/May 2022
Embedded Files
Superintendent's Corner
On April 26, the Board of Education adopted the 2022-2023 District Budget. Public discussion of the budget began in February prior to the receipt of state aid and other information. The presentations included a projected deficit and an anticipated need for a reduction in force in order to meet the State-mandated 2% tax levy cap.
BUDGET FACTS
Work on the 2022-2023 District Budget began in Fall 2021.
The total operating budget is $116,914,163, excluding possible appropriations from Capital Reserves.
The budget remains focused on district priorities:
Avoid impact on students
Maintain existing programs and offerings
Remain within class size / course enrollment guidelines
The budget is at the state-mandated tax levy cap of 2%.
The school tax rate increase is approximately 1%.
The average increase to homeowners is approximately $103.
The 2022-2023 District Budget supports core academic programs, visual and performing arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities.
SOURCES OF REVENUE
HOW OPERATING BUDGET IS SPENT
2022-2023 Budget Presentation.Parts I, II, III, & IV.pdfBUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
In 2011-2012, the State of New Jersey reduced aid by 65% and placed a 2% cap, with eligible waivers, on tax levy increases for districts opting out of community vote on district budget. This is an unsustainable funding formula for ALL public school districts as expenditures do not have a cap.
From 2012-2021, the Westfield Public School District was able to submit budgets at cap with minimal reductions due to changes in state-mandated employee contributions for health insurance, as well as proactive changes made by the District.
Previous efficiencies and options are no longer available.
Expenditures continue to outpace revenues.
All areas of the district operating budget were carefully evaluated to address the deficit for 2022-2023. With 80% of the operating budget made up of salaries and benefits, it was impossible to avoid reductions in staff.
Making cuts to staffing is never a preferred course of action. No administrator or Board of Education member took this process lightly.
BUDGET REFLECTIONS
This budget does not change the district's commitment to education. It does not change our commitment to the visual and performing arts, athletics, academics, or extracurricular activities. And, while this budget represents where we are today, it does not lock us into this for the future. I look forward to exploring ways to return not just to what we had but to a budget that enables us to expand our programs. We need to figure out ways as a district, a Board, and a community to invest in our schools so that this doesn't happen again.
With a 24/7 news cycle and the popularity of social media, misinformation and misunderstanding is easily spread. There are many ways for the school community to get factual information about the district, including this monthly e-newsletter. You can attend the regular public Board meetings, view the meeting live or recorded on the district YouTube Channel, and subscribe to the Board meeting synopsis. Our Parent Teacher Council holds monthly meetings at which a Board representative and I provide updates. As warranted, I email updates to the school community which are posted on the district website. You'll find lots of good news on the district Facebook and Twitter, along with reminders of upcoming Board meetings and other events. And our website -- which is undergoing a complete redesign and will include a mobile app for the new school year -- contains the answers to many questions.
BUDGET NEXT STEPS
At its May 3 meeting, the Board of Education began an initial conversation into the feasibility of moving Board elections from November to April and presenting the budget to the taxpayers for a vote. The Board will continue discussing this option at upcoming Board meetings and looks forward to hearing from the public before any action is taken.
Curriculum Corner
From Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Programs Dr. Paul Pineiro
Curriculum Corner
From Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Programs Dr. Paul Pineiro
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Over the course of this school year, the district has been reviewing the State’s new K-12 Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards to be implemented in 2022-2023.
A draft of the district's revised curricula for grades K-12 has been completed, as per the new standards. Next steps:
MAY - Revised curricula reviewed by the Board Curriculum, Instruction and Programs (CIP) Committee.
JUNE - Public presentation of revised curricula at Board of Education meeting. The presentation will include:
What's new in the NJDOE Standards & Westfield Public Schools Curriculum
Resources used to deliver instruction
Considerations of age-appropriateness
Information regarding topics and process for parental "opt out"
EQUITY AUDIT SURVEY
Thank you to all who took part in the district's Equity Audit Survey. The survey portal closed on April 24, with nearly 3,000 respondents among parents, students, and staff. The voluntary survey, conducted by Hanover and Associates, was announced in the March edition of The NEWS Letter and will serve as an important resource for the district to address State standards and legislation surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We look forward to sharing survey results with the community in the near future.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Since the move to lift universal mask requirements and reduce contact tracing and quarantining, we continue to see cases in our schools consistent with when those measures were in place, with occasional highs and lows. We ask that you continue to remain vigilant and mindful and take proper precautions to protect the school community. As always, please consult with your school nurse if your child is exhibiting symptoms of illness.
IMPORTANT DATES
IMPORTANT DATES
May 1: School Principals Day
May 2-6: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 3: Board of Education Meeting
May 8: Mother's Day
May 12: School Nurses Day
May 17: Board of Education Meeting
May 18: PTC Meeting
May 27-31: Schools Closed
(Memorial Day & Unused Snow Days)
DID YOU KNOW?
DID YOU KNOW?
For a fifth consecutive year, the Westfield Public School District has been named one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” in the nation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
The designation is awarded by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
Communication Survey Report.pdfCommunication Survey
Communication Survey
Thank you to all who completed our Communication Survey. Your valued input will help inform our efforts as we seek to build upon existing successes and explore new avenues to most effectively connect with the school community.
Board Corner
Board Corner
A synopsis of each Board of Education meeting is emailed to subscribers and posted under the Board tab at www.westfieldnjk12.org, generally no later than the Friday following the Board meeting.
NEXT BOARD MEETINGS
NEXT BOARD MEETINGS
Regular Public Meeting on May 3 at 7p
Recognition of Philhower Award Recipient
Regular Public Meeting: Tuesday, May 17 at 7p
Recognition of Student Fine Arts Achievements
All public Board of Education meetings are held in WHS Cafeteria B
We have improved the navigation of our complete Policies manual. Click image above or here to access.
BOARD POLICIES
BOARD POLICIES
A number of policies were approved for first and second reading at the April 5 and April 26 Board meetings, as part of a continued review by school policy and regulation consulting service Strauss Esmay. Policies approved for repeal at the April 26 meeting were those where duplicative or comparable policies exist.
Community Corner
Community Corner
The next general meeting of the Parent Teacher Council (PTC) will be held virtually on Wednesday, May 18 at 10:15 a.m. Email ptc@westfieldnjk12.org to receive a link to the virtual meeting.
To support attendee schedules, the PTC monthly meeting schedule contains a mix of virtual and in-person meetings. The final meeting for the 2021-2022 school year will be in-person at 302 Elm Street on June 8.
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
Wellness Wednesday
Voltaic Cells & Lighting Diodes
Community Service Week
Impactful Assembly
Each month, we recognize district staff (and a few others) with a video tribute.
Each month, we recognize district staff (and a few others) with a video tribute.
Five reasons we celebrated our school community in April:
Five reasons we celebrated our school community in April:
Assistant Principals
School Librarians
Paraprofessionals
Administrative Assistants
Parent Volunteers
In May, we celebrate our principals, teachers, and school nurses for their tremendous efforts on behalf of our students. Thank you!
GOOD NEWS
Westfield Public Schools Demonstrate Civic-Mindedness - Courier News
Holocaust Survivor Speaks at WHS - Hi's Eye
Westfield Rotary Awards Fellowship to Washington Teacher - Tap into Westfield
New Coaches Spring into Action - Hi's Eye
Girl Scouts Foster a Love of Reading - Westfield Monthly
Tamaques Girl Scout Troop Builds Little Library - Westfield Patch
Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook @westfieldpublicschoolsnj, FOLLOW us on Twitter @westfieldnjk12, and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel @ Westfield NJ Public Schools.
Our Mission
The Westfield Public School District, in partnership with families and community, educates all students to reach their highest potential as productive, well-balanced and responsible citizens who respect individual differences and diversity in an ever changing world.
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