Westfield School Board Discusses School Start Times and Celebrates Student Achievements

The Westfield School Board meeting on December 17, 2024, focused on proposed changes to school start and end times, recognition of outstanding student performances, and updates on ongoing projects. The board deliberated on potential adjustments to the school schedule, celebrated the achievements of student athletes and artists, and discussed facility improvements and policy updates.

The most pressing topic discussed was the proposed change to the start and end times for the high school and intermediate school. Dr. Bolton presented two scheduling options aimed at creating a more cohesive and efficient schedule across different school levels. The options considered shifting the current high school start time from 7:55 AM to 7:45 AM, with a corresponding end time of 2:39 PM. Intermediate schools had two proposals: starting at 8:15 AM and ending at 2:50 PM, or starting at 8:25 AM and ending at 3:00 PM. The board considered these changes in light of potential impacts on student activities and transportation logistics. The discussion was contextualized within broader initiatives to enhance educational efficiencies and ensure safety, particularly in light of a recent pedestrian incident outside a school.

Another discussion point was the recognition of Westfield High School senior Anna Kyes for her historic achievement in cross country. Kyes made waves as the first female from the school to win an individual State Sectional Championship and qualified for the 2024 Meet of Champions. She also set a new school record in the spring medley relay at the New Balance Nationals. Coaches praised her dedication and teamwork, underscoring her role as a standout athlete.

The board also celebrated the success of fall sports teams, including the girls’ soccer team, which won the Group Four state championship with a 21-1 record. The team’s head coach emphasized the leadership of senior players and the strong team dynamics that contributed to their success. The girls’ tennis and volleyball teams were acknowledged for their sectional titles, with coaches highlighting the athletes’ perseverance and resilience in overcoming challenges during the season.

In addition to athletic achievements, students were recognized for their artistic talents. Sophia Basaldua’s artwork was selected for the College Board’s 2024 AP Art and Design exhibit, a significant honor given the competition from over 880,000 submissions. Musicians from Westfield High School were congratulated for their acceptance into prestigious regional and national choirs and orchestras.

The meeting also covered updates on ongoing projects and operational matters. The board is awaiting state approval for submitted projects, which impacts their ability to include these on the ballot for the April election. Notably, the Roosevelt facade project and Franklin playground initiatives are progressing, with the latter requiring additional equipment installation.

The operational procedures for Chromebook repairs were another topic of interest, as the board explored options to manage repair costs for parents. Discussions included potential solutions like an upfront fee or insurance policy for the next school year.

A significant policy update involved the appointment of Bill Lochran as interim principal of Westfield High School, effective January 2, 2025. The Policy, Personnel, and Governance committee also reviewed an updated athletic substance abuse policy aligning with the student code of conduct and began revising the discipline chart for clarity.

In terms of governance, the board addressed the transparency of discussions on harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB), emphasizing the balance between confidentiality and public understanding. A suggestion for public training on HIB policies was noted for further exploration.

Financial matters included the acceptance of donations totaling $65,666 for the school year, supporting various educational programs. In new business, the district emphasized the importance of community engagement in upcoming decisions regarding school schedules and facility improvements, with a referendum on educational facilities planned for 2025.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Superintendent:
Dr. Raymond Gonz√°lez
School Board Officials:
Robert Benacchio (President), Sonal Patel (Vice President), Kent Diamond, Brendan Galligan, Charles Gelinas, Leila Morrelli, Kristen Sonnek-Schmelz, Julie Steinberg, Mary Wickens, Falynn Balassone (Anti-Bullying Coordinator), Dr. David Greer (Affirmative Action Officer / Title IX Coordinator)

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording