New President Chosen, Board Members Sworn In At Westfield School

WESTFIELD, NJ — Incumbents Leila Morrelli and Sonal Patel along with newcomer Julie Steinberg were sworn in to serve on the Westfield Board of Education at the Reorganization meeting.

Morrelli, Patel, and Steinberg all won one of the three, three-year seats on the board in the April election over Brad Schaeffer, Mark Shore, and Lindsay Bezalel.

Additionally, at the May 1 meeting, the Board chose Robert Benacchio to serve as Board President and Sonal Patel as Board Vice President.

Since his election, Benacchio has served as co-chair of the curriculum committee, a member of the financial facility committee. He also serves as the liaison to the Westfield High School and the recreation commission.

"Since being elected two years ago, Rob has shown that he is not only willing to be a team player but a strong leader. His tenure as vice president indicated his pragmatic skills not only with his interaction and communication with all stakeholders but with his impartiality. Rob is proactive approachable and knowledgeable. It has been an honor working with him and getting to know him," said Morrelli.

"Rob has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to our educational community," sais Patel.

Benacchio expressed his excitement for the upcoming board year and thanked his predecessors for their contributions.

He said that he plans to improve communication between the board and the community by utilizing the district's communication team and making himself more available to address concerns.

"I would like to grow in frequency and means the way our board communicates with the community. We have an outstanding communication team in the district and I want the board to use it more," said Benacchio.

Prior to the May 1 appointments, Benacchio served as Vice President with Patel serving as President.

"The leadership team of Rob and Sonal have been a phenomenal duo. And I believe that will be the same going forward this year. Just because you switched seats doesn't mean you guys are really changing how I see you guys operate as a team and I would like to see that continue for the sake of the Board," said Brendan Galligan.

"I have to compliment Sonal on managing some of our most challenging meetings with grace and patience. You're practical, you're balanced in your approach, you're organizaed, you always encourage teamwork and communication and for those reasons I wholeheartedly will support Sonal to continue leading as Board Vice President," said Kristen Sonnek-Schmelz.

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