Westfield Board Of Education Swears In New Members, Reorganizes

WESTFIELD, NJ — As Westfield students return to on-site learning this Monday, they'll have three new school board members help oversee the district. At its reorganization meeting on Jan. 5, the board welcomed Sahar Aziz, Leila Morrelli, and Sonal Patel to the nine-member board. The three won re-election in a hotly contested election last fall.

The three were sworn in by Board Attorney Richard Kaplow before the virtual meeting.

Business Administrator and Board Secretary Dana Sullivan said, “With 11 candidates vying for a seat on the Board of Education, Ms. Aziz, Ms. Morelli, and Ms. Patel were elected for three-year terms.”

At the re-organization meeting, the board elected Amy Root as president and Brendan Galligan as vice president.

Root has served as board vice president for two years and has been a member of the board since July 2016. Galligan has served on the board for eight years.

Root and Galligan expressed appreciation as fellow board members and administrators congratulated them and the newly sworn-in members.

“I would like to welcome the new board members and returning board members and thank you for your service,” said Superintendent Dr. Margaret Dolan.

Back to the buildings

Meanwhile, Westfield students who have chosen the hybrid learning plan can return to the buildings this week, after a week of remote education that followed winter break.

Superintendent Dr. Margaret Dolan addressed the return and continued coronavirus precautions in a letter on Friday, linked here.

Talking to children about the U.S. Capitol tragedy

In that letter, Dolan also briefly addressed last week's fatal riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.:

"As we all watched news coverage of Wednesday’s attack on the U.S. Capitol, many of our
students also watched this unthinkable moment in history," she wrote. "Supervisor of K-12 Social Studies Andrea Brennan immediately began working with teachers on appropriate class discussions while our guidance counselors and principals also prepared to answer student questions. Since it is sometimes difficult to find the words to talk with children about challenging topics, we have posted suggested resources that may help you, as a family, discuss recent events. You will find these resources and many others at www.westfieldnjk12.org under 'Mental Health and Wellness' on the 'Family Resources' tab."

She added, "Despite a rocky start to the new year, I remain hopeful for 2021 and for a gradual return to a sense of normalcy in our lives."

Read more: Westfield Mayor, Others Condemn Violence At U.S. Capitol

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