A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing and approving Dr. González’s employment contract. Board members emphasized the necessity of renegotiating the contract in light of recent district changes and challenges, such as curriculum updates and budget constraints. The contract aims to stabilize leadership within the district before seeking public support for future initiatives. One board member expressed strong support. The renegotiation was described as straightforward, with a focus on cost certainty and addressing the district’s evolving needs.

Dr. González expressed gratitude to the board for their support and emphasized the need for continued collaboration to build on recent progress. He welcomed Brett Curtis as the new assistant principal at Westfield High School, who shared his educational philosophy focused on fostering both academic understanding and essential life skills.

Another topic was Dr. Matthew Bolton’s annual update on the New Jersey Graduate Proficiency Assessment (NJ GPA) and the ACCESS for multilingual learners (ML) assessment results. Dr. Bolton clarified that the NJ GPA, a state-mandated assessment for 11th graders, had its cut score lowered from 750 to 725. This change affects year-over-year comparisons due to different student cohorts being assessed. He reported that for the 2023-2024 academic year, 96.9% of students met graduation proficiency in English Language Arts, while 85.8% achieved proficiency in Mathematics.

Dr. Bolton noted that students who did not meet the proficiency cut score could retake the assessment or use alternative standardized tests such as the ACT, SAT, or PSAT. He highlighted that the mathematics test posed more challenges, a trend observed statewide. To address these challenges, the district is implementing new strategies, including professional development for teachers and a universal screener in 9th-grade Algebra 1.

The board also discussed the effectiveness of technology investments, which have enhanced multi-tiered support systems and data tracking. The application of analytics and software was highlighted as a means to improve accessibility for instruction and analyze data in depth. A board member remarked on the success of the English Language Learner (ELL) program and questioned how it compared to similar programs statewide.

The meeting included committee reports, with the Curriculum Instruction and Assessment Committee and the Finance and Facilities Committee anticipating future meetings to review work at Roosevelt and other facilities. During the public portion, guidelines for comments from district residents and staff on action items were outlined, stressing the importance of adhering to these guidelines, particularly regarding personnel matters.

Attention then turned to personnel items, with the board recommending various actions in accordance with established policies. This included approving Dr. González’s contract and acknowledging his contributions to the district. A board member emphasized the need for stable leadership before seeking public support for initiatives like the full-day kindergarten referendum.

The finance and facilities segment highlighted several donations totaling $255,000, including contributions from various PTOs and the Westfield School Boosters Association. These donations will fund items such as playground equipment and field hockey equipment. The board expressed gratitude to the donors and unanimously supported the motion to accept the donations.

During the public comment session, a parent addressed the board regarding the absence of a liaison for the special education committee. She emphasized the value of maintaining direct communication between board members and the special education parent advisory group. A board member responded by asserting that the special education committee has direct contact with the special education assistant superintendent and that involving a board member as a liaison could complicate communications.