School Board Accepts Principal's Resignation

The Westwood Regional Board of Education formally accepted Thomas Gorman's resignation as principal of Thursday night.

Gorman will serve as principal until July 1, when he will start as He has served as the principal of the Jr./Sr. High School for five years.

Superintendent Geoffrey Zoeller credited Gorman with making significant improvements to the school during his time in the district.

"The transformation of the Jr./Sr. High School under his direction over the past years has been nothing short of miraculous," Zoeller said. "From a structural frame, an organizational frame, an educational frame and, the hardest to achieve, a cultural frame, Dr. Gorman has consistently shown his ability to make this a better place for people to work and for students to learn."

Westwood Regional Middle School Principal Charles Seipp said Gorman helped him and Assistant Principal Frank Connelly grow as administrators.

"His legacy will continue here," Seipp said.

Gorman, who has lived in Ridgewood for most of his life, said he had mixed feelings about the move.

"My stomach has been in knots," Gorman said. I've been dreading this night a little bit, but I am excited about this new opportunity."

Gorman thanked the board and his colleagues for working with him and said he believes the district will be able to continue improving, noting the board's willingness to advance the schools with renovations and adding wireless Internet access.

"I think the momentum is gaining, and it's going to continue to be such a great place," Gorman said.

Zoeller previously told Patch that he expects to find a replacement for Gorman before the end of the school year, though Zoeller said he will miss working with him.

"He's become a very good friend," Zoeller said. "He's like a brother."