WESTFIELD – The School Committee met last night to vote for the new Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools and selected Westfield Technical Academy Principal Stefan Czaporowski.
The three finalists for the position were Czaporowski, Jennifer C. Willard, director of human resources for the Westfield Public Schools, and Dr. Elizabeth Zielinski, superintendent of the King Philip School District in Norfolk. Coincidentally, Willard was named Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School superintendent last night in that town.
The vote followed a public forum on Monday, during which each candidate was given an hour to talk about vision, goals and experience, and to answer questions from the residents in attendance.
Then on Tuesday evening, each candidate was interviewed for an hour by the School Committee.
At Thursday’s meeting, each member of the School Committee was given the opportunity to say a few words about each candidate, and who they felt would be the best for the city.
All of the members in turn talked about how well qualified all of the candidates were for the position. All but one said their first choice for the position was Stefan Czaporowski, citing his passion for the students, his vision, and his energy. Also mentioned by vice-chair Ramon Diaz, Jr. was Czaporowski’s track record of working with government bodies.
“Somehow he found the money to get the programs we needed,” Diaz said.
Jeffrey Gosselin said he supported Dr. Elizabeth Zielinski due to her education and experience.
Cynthia Sullivan then moved to accept Czaporowski as the new superintendent of schools.
The vote passed unanimously, and the room erupted in applause for Czaporowski, who was present, and who stepped forward to accept the position.
“I’m very pleased with the way the process turned out,” Diaz said following adjournment. “I’m very pleased with our selection.”
“I can’t wait to get started and improve the educational experience for all the students in Westfield,” Czaporowski said.
