Meet The Candidates Running For Westfield School Board

WESTFIELD, NJ — Meet the candidates running for the Westfield Board of Education.

The Westfield Parent Teacher Council (PTC) will hold an in-person Candidates Night on Wednesday, March 19, from 7 to 9 p.m, at Westfield High School Cafeteria B.

Three incumbents are seeking re-election with one newcomer challenger.

Below is a list of the candidates with their slogan (an asterisk designates an incumbent):

• Robert Benacchio - "For Our Families"*
• Kristen Sonnek Schmelz - "Excellence in Education"*
• Violetta Watson - "Putting Kids First"
• Mary Wickens - (no slogan)*

To attend the Candidates Night, register at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNTheSnYCtvxWdMpe2wXhyI9YlCFvyc6uwW_5O-Yfsnm4ZkQ/viewform?pli=1

The evening will be moderated, with candidates asked a variety of questions to be gathered from the public prior to the forum. Questions may be submitted to ptc@westfieldnjk12.org by March 15.

More information can be found on the April 2025 School Board Election page under the Board tab on the Westfield Public School District website at westfieldnjk12.org.

The election will be held on April 15. Voters will not only be choosing candidates but they will also be asked to vote on the district's annual budget and bond referendum.

Related: 'No Question Additional Funding Proposal Needed' In Westfield, Says Superintendent

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