Messages FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Dear Westfield Public Schools Community,

Good afternoon. I hope this message finds you well and looking forward to a restful summer. I am writing to provide a quick update on two items following our most recent Board of Education meeting.

2024-2025 School Calendar and List of Observances

The Board approved the School Calendar for 2024-2025, which is posted on the district website The calendar is being provided over a year in advance in order to assist you with your planning. Additionally, we have included the accompanying 2024-2025 Observances Resource List, also for your planning purposes and to promote awareness of religious and cultural observances, along with federal and state holidays. 

2023-2028 Strategic Plan

After a year-long process to collect feedback from our school community to craft our Strategic Plan for the next five years, I also would like to share our Draft Goals and Objectives  for your review and input, which reflect the following five areas of focus: 

1. teaching and learning, 

2. student and staff wellness, 

3. diversity, equity and inclusion,

4. community connections, and

5. finance and facilities.
   
   

Please take some time to review the draft goals and objectives and use this form to share your thoughts and suggestions no later than Friday, June 23, 2023.  Work to develop specific action items related to each goal and objective will continue over the summer, with the final Strategic Plan expected to be completed by early fall. More information on the strategic planning process can be found on the Strategic Plan portal.

We value and welcome feedback from the school community. Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to provide your input in this collaborative endeavor to define a five-year roadmap for our continued path forward.

Sincerely,

Dr. González

Raymond A. González, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Westfield Public Schools Community,

I am writing to you with some exciting news regarding a number of changes in district administration because of well-deserved promotions and retirements.  There are quite a few shifts in assignments, so please be sure to read this email in its entirety to make sure you are fully informed.

Edison Intermediate School

With the recent appointment of EIS principal Dr. Matthew Bolton as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Programs, along with a number of additional changes in key staffing at Edison, we paid careful attention to how best to address this crucial transition in leadership.

• I am pleased to announce that I am recommending EIS Assistant Principal LaNova Schall to succeed Dr. Bolton as EIS principal, effective July 1.  Her appointment will be on the June 13 agenda for consideration by the Board of Education.  In March, Ms. Schall was Board-appointed as the next principal of McKinley School and was thrilled for the opportunity to join the McKinley community.  Given the changes to leadership and staffing at Edison, Ms. Schall was among the candidates interviewed for the Edison principal position and, with her considerable qualifications and knowledge of the Edison school community, she was the clear choice to lead EIS during this important transition.

• As previously shared in April, Jacqueline Spring - district coordinator of the WHS Project ‘79 program - was Board approved as EIS assistant principal, also effective     July 1. 

McKinley and Franklin Elementary Schools

After reconvening the McKinley Principal Interview Committee to reinterview the other finalist in the original search, I am recommending Franklin Assistant Principal Mary McCabe as McKinley’s next principal, effective July 1. Mrs. McCabe’s appointment also will be on the June 13 Board agenda for consideration. As a Westfield High School graduate and longtime resident, Mrs. McCabe has deep connections to the community which, combined with her strong leadership skills and educational background, make her an ideal fit for McKinley.  Upon Board approval, the district will begin the search for a new Franklin assistant principal.

Human Resources and Visual and Performing Arts

• Human Resources:  With longtime Human Resources Specialist Barbara Ball retiring in mid-August, I am recommending David Greer to be appointed as Director of Human Resources.  Dr. Greer has over 20 years of experience in teaching and educational administration and has worked at the state level with the New Jersey Department of Education. He began his career as a world language teacher in Westfield and also served as supervisor of world languages and English language learners.  Dr. Greer’s extensive knowledge of the Westfield Public Schools will be essential in leading the Human Resources Department. This is critical to ensuring that the district recruits, hires, supports and retains an experienced and diverse staff.  The Board will consider his appointment at its June 13 meeting.

• Visual and Performing Arts:  As K-12 Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts Tom Weber prepares to retire, his position has been posted, resumes are being collected, and interviews are being scheduled with the intent to have the final recommendation ready for a Board agenda at the end of the month.

Transitional Reorganization

Additionally, we are currently developing a transitional reorganization plan involving our assistant superintendents, supervisors, and principals/assistant principals to more closely align their roles and responsibilities with our curriculum, instruction, and programs.  This is an evolving process with more information to come.

I greatly look forward to what the future holds for the Westfield Public Schools as we also prepare to share our 5-year Strategic Plan in the fall.  In the meantime, enjoy these last two weeks of the 2023-2024 school year and the many opportunities to celebrate our amazing students and staff.

Sincerely,

Dr. González

Raymond A. González, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Westfield Public Schools Community,

By now, you may or may not have heard that the Westfield voters approved the 2023-2024 school district operating budget! I am humbled by the support of our community, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who went to the polls to cast their vote. We remain committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all our students and this budget is a great step as we look to the future.

Congratulations to Board of Education incumbents Brendan Galligan and Kent Diamond who were re-elected and to Charles Gelinas, who will join the Board next month.  Thank you to all of the Board candidates for their willingness to serve the Westfield school community.

In the coming months, I look forward to sharing updates on how we are maximizing the opportunities afforded by the approved budget as well as more information about our Strategic Plan, which will outline the district’s values and priorities and specify action steps over the next five years.

With great appreciation for our continued partnership on behalf of our students,
Dr. González

Raymond A. González, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Westfield Public Schools Community,

To help families and staff plan ahead, I want to share with you a few important school calendar items regarding snow/emergency days as they relate to Spring Break (April 3-7) and Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-29).

As you know, three days for emergency school closings are included in the 2022-2023 School Calendar. As outlined on the Board-approved calendar, if the emergency days are not needed during the school year, schools may close on Monday, April 10, Friday, May 26, and Tuesday, May 30, in that order.

As the district currently has not used any emergency school closing days, I am announcing that all Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Monday, April 10. Provided that we do not need to utilize any of the emergency days in the future, there will be no school on May 26 and May 30 as well.

Sincerely,

Dr. González

Raymond A. González, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

Dear McKinley School Community,

I am excited to announce that, at the Board of Education meeting next Tuesday, March 7, the Board will vote on the appointment of LaNova Schall as Principal of McKinley School, effective July 1, 2023.

Before joining Edison Intermediate School as assistant principal in August 2021, Ms. Schall served as assistant principal at the Van Derveer Elementary School in Somerville where she supported students and staff in a variety of ways. She began her career in education in 2001 as a teacher in the New York City Public Schools before moving to the East Orange Community Charter School, where she taught for four years before becoming Supervisor of Curriculum, Instruction, and Data.

Ms. Schall has proven herself to be a skilled, thoughtful, and fair administrator while here in Westfield and, combined with her valuable previous experience at the elementary school level, she is an ideal choice to be the next principal of McKinley School. 

Warm regards,

Dr. González

Raymond A. González, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Westfield Public Schools Community, 

Earlier today, the Westfield Police Department issued a press release regarding a matter involving an employee in our school, which has been reported locally.

While this directly affects the Roosevelt Intermediate School community and Principal Gechtman has reached out to Roosevelt families, the nature of the incident impacts the entire school community and the need for a continued dialogue around the use of controlled substances.  

As a school district, the details surrounding the incident remain confidential as it is both an employee and active police matter. However, given the details provided in the press release from the Westfield Police Department, I can confirm that a controlled substances-related  incident involving a Roosevelt teacher occurred on November 29, 2022, and that every necessary step was taken to immediately care for the employee and to ensure the safety of students and staff, including but not limited to the following:

• The incident was immediately reported to law enforcement, the New Jersey Department of Health and the Division of Child Protection and Permanency within the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCPP).  The school district also reported the incident to and consulted with the school district’s physician, Board attorney, insurance broker, and an environmental consultant.   

• The  affected classroom was sealed off and then appropriately remediated and sanitized under the supervision of our environmental consultant during non-school hours.  

• Classes were temporarily moved to an alternate location and a former teacher returned to maintain the continuity of instruction.
  
  
  

This matter highlights and reinforces the importance of the conversations about substance abuse that take place as part of our health curriculum, and in your homes as a family. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your school’s counseling staff or principal with any concerns.  Thank you for your continued partnership.

Sincerely, 

Raymond A. González, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Westfield Public Schools

Dear Westfield Public Schools Community,

I hope this message finds you healthy and looking forward to the holidays.  I am reaching out to provide important information that I hope will assist you and your family in the year ahead.

Inclement Weather Procedures

As the first day of winter approaches, I want to remind you of the district’s Inclement Weather Procedures, which are posted on the district website under “District Information.”  Deciding whether to close our schools or alter the arrival/dismissal of the school day based on weather forecasts is an imprecise process.  We strive to make the best decision possible, however, based on the information and variables at the time.  All staff and families will be notified of any emergency closings via text, email, and voice call.  Notifications also will be posted on the district/school websites, on district social media, and on local media sites.

2023-2024 School Calendar

At last night’s meeting, the Board of Education approved the 2023-2024 School Calendar which notes the instructional days that the district and schools are closed, along with an explanation of the three days that are built into the calendar for emergency closings.  

New for this year, for planning purposes and to promote awareness, an Observances Resource List is included with the school calendar with some of the federal and state holidays and religious and cultural observances for the 2023-2024 school year.  Both of these documents are posted under “District Information” on the district website.  

Policies 2330 (Homework) and 8210 (School Year)

Additionally, I want to highlight portions of two of our existing Board policies as they relate to the school calendar and the list of observances.  

• “No new assignments should be given over major religious holidays and observances, school vacations, and holiday weekends and be due immediately upon return. Teachers should plan and announce homework assignments, especially long term assignments, well in advance so that students can adjust their schedules appropriately. ” (Regulation for Policy 2330)

• “Staff members shall avoid, whenever possible, scheduling a test on a religious holiday commonly observed by residents of the district.”  (Policy 8210)

I hope that you find this information helpful as we work to provide clear and timely communication to our school community. Please do not hesitate to speak to your child’s teacher or building principal, should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

 Dr. González

 Raymond A. González, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

The Westfield Board of Education is seeking an applicant who is interested in serving on the Board from January 1, 2023 through April 24, 2023 to fill the vacancy resulting from the resignation of Board member Amy Root.

The process for the Board of Education to select a member from the applicant pool is for the Board to interview applicants in a closed, executive session.

Westfield citizens interested in filling the Board vacancy from January 1, 2023 through April 24, 2023 should submit their resume or letter of intent to Board Secretary Dana Sullivan via email at dsullivan@westfieldnjk12.org no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

To be considered for a seat on the Board of Education, a candidate must be:

-A citizen of the United States of America
-At least 18 years of age
-Able to read and write
-A resident of Westfield
-A registered voter in Westfield

The closed interview session will take place on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Westfield High School, 550 Dorian Road (time and room location to be announced later). The vote to select the candidates will be in public and is expected to take place at the Board meeting later that evening.

If they wish to retain a seat on the Board, the newly appointed Board member would be required to file for candidacy according to the election process established by the County in order to be placed on the ballot in April 2023, along with any eligible Westfield resident who chooses to run.   

Questions relating to the candidate application process can be directed to Dana Sullivan at dsullivan@westfieldnjk12.org or 908-789-4402.

Dear Westfield Public Schools Community,

This is to notify the school community that Westfield High School went into a Shelter-in-Place this morning after receiving a threatening voicemail. Westfield Police responded immediately, investigated, and determined that the threat was not credible. Normal activities have resumed at WHS. As WHS principal Mary Asfendis communicated to high school families, we appreciate the seriousness with which the students and staff handled this emergency situation. We take any potential threats very seriously.

Dr. González

Raymond A. González, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

Dear McKinley Families,

I am pleased to announce that, at last night's meeting, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Jill Sack as Interim Principal of McKinley School, effective January 1 through June 30, 2023.  Dr. Sack, a retired educator with more than 37 years of experience, will serve in this 6-month interim position to give the district time to conduct a thorough search in early 2023 for Dr. Biunno's successor.

Please read the attached letter for more on Dr. Sack's appointment.

Sincerely,
Dr.  Gonzalez

Raymond A. González, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Letter to McKinley Families

Dear Parents/ Guardians:

Good afternoon! I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to follow up on my earlier communications regarding the development of our Strategic Plan for 2023-2028.  As previously mentioned, this collaborative process relies heavily on input from the entire school community.  To help us include your views in our long-range planning process. please take a moment to complete this brief SURVEY.

Also, as a reminder, please join us for an in-person stakeholder session for parents and members of the community tomorrow (Wednesday), November 2 from 7-9 p.m. in Cafeteria B at Westfield High School.  You can park in the lot behind the high school between Rahway Avenue and Trinity Place and enter at the back door nearest Rahway Avenue.

Thank you for taking the time to share your valued feedback.

Sincerely,
Dr. González

Raymond A. González, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Westfield Public Schools Community,

On August 30, 2022, the Board of Education approved the contracted services of The Madison Institute to facilitate our District through the Strategic Planning process.  We are excited to begin this important endeavor which will bring together all members of the school community to work toward a common objective… a series of deliverable goals to shape the future of the school district. 

The district’s Strategic Plan will serve as a five-year blueprint that clearly defines our priorities and our vision for ensuring the success of all of our students. It is a demonstration of the Westfield Public School District’s sincere and continued commitment to the entire school community.

Developing a Strategic Plan is a collaborative effort, with a meaningful outcome dependent on the ideas and expertise of our many stakeholders.  To that end, we will be providing multiple opportunities for community input, including:

• Community-wide Survey:  A survey will be distributed to staff, students in grades 6-12, parents, and members of the Westfield community to help inform the process. The survey window will be from November 1-18.  For parents who wish to review student survey questions, click here. 

• In-person Stakeholder Feedback Sessions: Three in-person sessions also will be held in Cafeteria B at Westfield High School on:

  • Wednesday, October 26 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. for staff, 

  • Wednesday, November 2 from 7-9 p.m. for parents and community members,

  • Thursday, November 3 from 2:45-4:00 p.m. for students in grades 9-12.

We will provide more information soon but I ask that you save these dates and keep an eye on your email inboxes for the survey.  

It is worth repeating that, for our Strategic Plan to truly reflect an innovative, yet sustainable, path for the next five years, we need your valued input. Thank you, in advance, for partnering with us as we chart a dynamic course for the educational future of our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. González 

Raymond González, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools