Westfield To Hold Virtual Meeting On Choosing Next Superintendent

Westfield NJ

10 March, 2021

6:46 PM

Description

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield Board of Education has invited parents and community members to a virtual "critical issues input session" on Thursday at 7 p.m. to discuss interview questions and candidate review documents for a new superintendent of schools. Westfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Margaret Dolan announced at a Jan. 19 school board meeting that she will retire as of July 1. READ MORE: Westfield Superintendent Of Schools To Retire After 14 Years On Feb. 4, the Board of Education appointed the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) to conduct the national search. At Thursday's forum, NJSBA search consultant Gwen Thornton will explain the search procedure, the roles played by the board, the staff, and the public in the process, and the timeline for the search, as well as answer questions. Discussion will center on the strengths, areas of concern, and future initiatives and issues that will face the new superintendent. You can read more by clicking "Superintendent Search" on the Board tab at www.westfieldnjk12.org. To join the meeting, click this link. Additionally, an online survey is available on the Superintendent Search page. Community members are asked to submit input by Saturday, March 13. The outgoing superintendent Superintendent Dolan has overseen the district for 14 years. Westfield has 10 public schools serving more than 6,000 students in grades K-12, with a staff of over 900. Dolan — who's been steering the district through perhaps the most unusual school year of her lifetime — began her career in Westfield as principal of Franklin Elementary School in 1996. Dolan became assistant superintendent for human resources in 2001. She served as assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and programs from 2005-2007 and was appointed superintendent of schools in 2007. "It has been a great honor to serve the Westfield Public Schools as a principal, assistant superintendent, and the district's first female superintendent," Dolan wrote in a letter of notification to board members. "I would like to thank the 30 Board of Education members with whom I have and am now working." Want to be the first in your neighborhood to get breaking news alerts, or a daily morning newsletter of news in your town? You can sign up for Patch alerts and/or a free a daily digest of news here: Sign up and choose your preferences. Got news? Email [email protected]. Got photos? Please include express written permission from the photographer for us to use them. To be the first to get free news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.