School Committee debates name changes for middle schools. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – A meeting of the Educational Planning and Technology subcommittee Monday tackled the question of renaming North Middle School and South Middle School, which are changing to grades 5-6 (North) and grades 7-8 (South) in September due to redistricting.
Cindy Sullivan, chair of the subcommittee, said according to district policy, school names reflect geographic locations.
Kevin Sullivan, School Committee vice-chair, said schools cannot be named after a person, according to the policy put in place in 2000. “It doesn’t mean we can’t revisit the policy,” he said, but added that it becomes an issue, “luckily,” because they have too many people who have contributed a great deal to the schools.
“As far as naming the school after people, I would change the policy in a heartbeat,” Mayor Brian P. Sullivan commented later in the meeting.
Denise Ruszala, the district’s director of accountability and assessment, said that she reached out to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), who said that grades 5-6 are considered an elementary school. She said grade 6 is only considered a middle school when paired with grades 7-8. Ruszala said the name of middle school could be misleading for grades 5-6.
“If we decide to name it a middle school, we could, but it would be filed with the state as an elementary school,” Kevin Sullivan said for clarification. Ramon Diaz, Jr., a member of the subcommittee said the difference is in required hours of study, which is more for a middle school.
“The schedule has to ensure the right number of minutes,” Ruszala said.
“I know the term intermediate is not thought of highly, but that’s what other districts do,” said Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski.
“Why change the name of South Middle School? I would stay with South as South, and change North,” Diaz said, adding that it would save money in signs.
“The only thing I would say about North-South is that it’s geographic,” said Cindy Sullivan.
“I did a lot of research. 5-6 Intermediate schools are becoming quite popular. My proposal would be Westfield Middle School and Westfield Intermediate School,” said School Committee member Diane Mayhew.
“That is the one thing community and teachers have said they don’t like,” Cindy Sullivan said.
“They don’t like it because it’s difficult to understand. What is it,” Kevin Sullivan said.
“I love the word intermediate – It’s very accurate, describing what it is,” said Munger Hill Principal Salvatore Frieri.
“We just need an identity. Thinking back, when we met with the staff, I don’t remember why they didn’t like the word intermediate,” said North Middle School Principal Katherine Bourque.
“I heard understanding – they don’t feel people would understand it,” Czaporowski said.
Diane Mayhew said a change would need to get past the first classes that have been in the system. Mayor Sullivan agreed it took time for all the name changes at Westfield Technical Academy to be accepted.
School Committee member Heather Sullivan said teachers want the north and south names to be gone, to get their own identity. Diaz said she made a good point.
Paul Newton, Principal of South Middle School was asked his opinion. “You have a lot of history here. Westfield Middle School makes a lot of sense to me,” said Newton, who joined the district last summer.
“I know the cost of signs, but we’ve put a lot of time and effort into it. I’d hate to have the cost be the determining factor,” Heather Sullivan said.
“I want what is going to make sense,” Cindy Sullivan said.
“I think the word Intermediate makes sense, because if you use Intermediate, you can keep Middle School. It is an intermediate step between. I think the word intermediate is going to be tough for one year,” Mayor Sullivan said.
“I agree,” said Franklin Avenue Principal Chris Tolpa, adding that after a little while people would get used to the name.
Cindy Sullivan spoke to former School Committee member William Duval about giving the students a vote. During public participation, Duval had suggested that students have an opportunity to vote on the different options the School Committee came up with. “I don’t think we have a lot of names to choose from,” Sullivan said.
“Maybe something within the school, a change in mascot or colors, that’s something the kids could get involved in,” Kevin Sullivan said.
Cindy Sullivan said the argument was compelling, and asked for a motion.
Diaz made a motion to name the 5-6 school, Westfield Intermediate School, which passed 3-0, with Cindy Sullivan, Diaz and Kevin Sullivan, voting for it. Diaz then made a motion to name the 7-8 school, Westfield Middle School, which also passed 3-0. The names will now go to the full School Committee for a vote in May.
