Synopsis Of Nov. 12 Westfield Board Of Education Meeting

Synopsis of a Westfield Board of Education meeting on November 11, 2014
by Superintendent Margaret Dolan

PERSONNEL

The Board approved the appointment of Derek Lewis as Technology Department Computer Technician effective Nov. 12.

The Board approved the appointment of Elizabeth “Liz” McKeon to fill the girls varsity basketball head coach position at Westfield High School for the 2014-15 winter season. Ms. McKeon, who served as the volunteer assistant varsity coach for the WHS girls varsity basketball team in 2013-2014, played Division I women’s basketball for Lafayette College for all four years and achieved the Patriot League Athletic Honor Role.

A graduate of WHS, she held the second 1,000 point career award in 1999. Her 10 year business career includes marketing positions for ESPN and the NFL, where she was selected to serve on the Women’s Interactive Network. She holds a Master of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Lafayette College.

CURRICULUM

The Board approved a curriculum-aligned student field trip for the WHS Humanities class.

BOARD WORKSHOP

The Board workshop followed the business portion of the meeting. The district’s Coordinator of School/Community Relations, Lorre Korecky, presented a report on communications. She emphasized the importance of reinforcing existing external and internal communications systems and launching new outreach tools with the specific goal of defining long-term open, two-way communication between the Administration, Board of Education, staff, students, parents and the Westfield community.

While providing current examples and quantitative measures on this effort, Mrs. Korecky also suggested areas for growth including alumni relations, internal relations, and outreach to the non-parent and senior citizen community.

The Board is considering forming a committee to further explore opportunities and steps to advance these proposals.

NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING - will be held Tuesday, November 18. The agenda will include a report on standardized testing results. The complete agenda will be available for viewing on the district website on November 14.

Margaret Dolan, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools