WEA President: Teachers Will Miss Solomon

Teachers around Westfield are upset over the departure of one Board of Education member, according to the union president.

Westfield Education Association President Kim Schumacher said that BOE member Richard Solomon, defeated in last week's election by BOE member-elect Mitch Slater, will be missed for his knowledge on financial issues and advocacy for teachers. Solomon officially leaves office at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday when Slater is scheduled to take the oath of office.

"I was sad not to see Rich back in," Schumacher said. "I had both of his sons at Roosevelt. Rich is a good person. His heart is in the right place and it is a definite loss to the board."

Schumacher said she has been hearing from many teachers in the district about how they wished to see Solomon reelected to the board. Solomon, a three term incumbent, finished fourth in last week's election behind Slater, BOE Vice President Julia Walker and BOE President Ginny Leiz.

Solomon was well known over the past few months as an advocate for the recently ratified teachers' contract, which includes a 3.9-percent pay raise and increased health care give backs and co-pays. Solomon served as a spokesman for the board on the issue, explaining the board's rationale, the benefit to the school system's management and the long term impact. Solomon attributes his defeat to his defense of the contract, which Slater has said he would like to see renegotiated.

Schumacher said teachers appreciated his contributions to the school system and the perspective he brought.

"He understands the financial perspective," she said. "I found that his answers were always right on target. He could always answer a question dead on. A lot of teachers are upset to see him go."