Schools

Newly-Elected Westfield Board of Ed Members Sworn In

Two current and two new members take oaths of office.

The Westfield Board of Education welcomed four newly-elected members at Thursday evening's organization meeting. 

Current members Richard Mattessich and Gretchan Ohlig were re-elected to three-year terms as was newcomer Lucy Biegler. Joining them is Brendan Galligan, the youngest Board member to serve in decades, who will fulfill the one-year term left vacant by Julia Walker, which Ohlig was appointed to in January 2012. 

The four took their oaths of office just prior to the 7:30 p.m. start of the meeting. 

Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Following the November election in which all four candidates ran uncontested, Ohlig told Patch, "I am tremendously excited for the next three years on the Board of Education. I'm grateful to have a running start to my new term and look forward to continued growth and working with Dr. Dolan, the administration, Westfield's incredible teachers, parents, students, and my fellow board members."

Galligan, a lifelong Westfield resident, said Thursday evening that he looks forward to getting started. In an interview with Patch, the Westfield High School graduate said he wants to give back to the community that has given him so much.

Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Biegler, also a WHS grad, told Patch last January when she applied to fill Walker's seat, that her experience would make her an asset to the Board.

"In addition to being a Literacy Coach/Reading Specialist, I am a member of the Advisory Council for the NJ Department of Education Teacher Evaluation Pilot, committee member of the Anti-Bullying Committee, advocate for special need students and a member of the IR&S Committee, knowledge with writing curriculums and have detailed experience with instructional technology in pedagogy," she noted.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mattessich was unanimously re-elected Board president while Rosanne Kurstedt was unanimously re-elected vice-president, a post she began filling in October following the resignation of David Finn. 

The Board will meet next at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 302 Elm St. All are welcome to attend. 


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