Westfield $1.6M Spending Proposal, School Board 2024 Election: Voting Information

WESTFIELD, NJ — On Tuesday, Westfield voters will be asked to elect three school board candidates and approve a $1.6 million additional spending proposal in the 2024-2025 school district operating budget.

Polls will open on April 16 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Additional Spending Proposal

The Board is proposing a tax levy increase of 1.49 percent - a .59 percent increase in Educational Continuity and .9 percent increase for Enhancements to the 2024-25 budget.

This Additional Spending Proposal of $1,675,397 will encompass funding for:

• The retention of 7 current staff members whose positions were not able to be provided for in the base budget,
• 3 elementary teachers for enrichment that targets computer science and design thinking standards for all K-5 students,
• 1 high school teacher to support additional electives,
• 1 special services supervisor,
• 1 assistant buildings and grounds supervisor,
• 2 maintenance / groundskeepers,
• 3 part-time security personnel, and
• Enhanced compensation for paraprofessionals.

"If approved, the additional spending proposal combined with the base budget, equates to an average annual tax increase of $347 from the current school year, based on the assessed value and school tax of the average Westfield home. That’s $29 per month for the average taxpayer," said Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools Dr. Raymond González in a letter last week.

For more information visit the district website here.

School Board Candidates

The Westfield Election will also include the vote for three School Board candidates. Candidates include:

• Brad Schaeffer
• Leila Morrelli(incumbent)
• Julie Steinberg
• Sonal Patel(incumbent)
• Mark Shore
• Lindsay Bezalel

Current board member Sahar Aziz is not seeking re-election.

Where Can I Vote?

• Ward 1
  • Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 - Roosevelt Intermediate School Gym, 301 Clark St.
  • Districts 4 and 6 - Westfield Memorial Library Program Room, 550 East Broad St.
• Ward 2
  • District 1 - Union County Administration Building, 301 North Ave.
  • Districts 2, 3, 4,5, 6 - Wilson Elementary School Gym, 301 Linden Ave.
• Ward 3
  • Districts 1, 5, 6, 7 - Westfield National Guard Armory, 500 Rahway Ave.
  • Districts 2, 3, 4 - Edison Intermediate School Gym, 800 Rahway Ave.
• Ward 4
  • Districts 1, 2 - Edison Intermediate School Gym, 800 Rahway Ave.
  • Districts 3, 4, 5 - Westfield National Guard Armory, 500 Rahway Ave.

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