Moving Forward Together with Westfield BOE Incumbent Rob Garrison

Whether it be fighting for job creation or helping to advance policies that incentivize economic development, supporting efforts to improve education at all levels or aiding in the expansion of healthcare delivery, I have spent my entire adult life working in and around government at every level.

To say I have seen my share of dysfunction would be an understatement.

That’s why it was so refreshing to join the Westfield Board of Education three years ago. Thanks to the support of residents all across town I've had the distinct pleasure of serving as a Westfield School Board member with eight other men and women that share the mission of making sure children in our town are learning to very best of their ability and shattering ceilings not only in academics, but also extracurricular activities to ensure our children are well rounded and highly prepared for a successful future.

During my time on the Board we have worked as a cohesive unit to enact policies that match the needs of students with the economic realities of the District. At every opportunity we have put the students, teachers, and parents, first. 95.5 percent of graduates continue their education and consistently gain admission to excellent institutions of higher learning; this past school year, 143 Advanced Achievement Scholastic Awards were obtained; our music program is cited as being among the best in the Nation for Music Education; our award winning bands and athletic teams are consistently a source of pride; our journalism and theater programs are recognized award winners; our Special Needs Department continues to create new programs to address even more specialized needs providing in district services which reduced outplacement costs and saved taxpayers money.

These accomplishments take place in the context of continual infrastructure improvements including expansion and a complete overhaul of technology in all schools, a new roof on many of the schools, air conditioning now placed in all schools, complete renovation of the RIS and EIS auditoriums and a new track and field coming next fall. All of this while maintaining strong and sustainable finances.

That’s the way it should be!

If I am honored with voter’s support again it will be my mission to continue to serve the students and residents of this wonderful community and further the forward motion of the district with cordiality and respect for process, as well as, each other.

It is easy to criticize Board action from the outside looking in, and indeed being responsive to all of our residents to all of our residents must remain high on the priority list.

Our responsibly to residents, the taxpayers that have to foot the bill for our decisions, is paramount.

That’s why I offered a strong voice for closely examining the work of all of the professionals that serve the Board of Education, including lawyers, engineers, and financial advisers. While it must be said that in most cases their work has been stellar, we also have to recognize that even with years of service alternatives exist and should be considered.

I was heartened when I took this on earlier this year that my colleagues on the Board did respectfully consider my viewpoint, and indeed made some changes to the bidding process that has traditionally been undertaken.

While change for change sake is a not a useful exercise I will, in my position as a fiscal steward of tax dollars, continue to be a proponent of making sure every dollar that is spent in service to our District, and our students, is spent well.

On Election Day, November 6, I hope voters will keep this in mind when they go to the polls by pressing the button for Column 3-2 so that we can continue Moving Forward Together.

Robert S. Garrison

Westfield School Board Candidate

Vote Column 3-2