At its regular public meeting on May 7, 2024, the Westfield Board of Education approved the appointment of James DeSarno as Director of Athletics \/ K-12 Physical Education and Health Supervisor, effective July 1, 2024.\u00a0 DeSarno will succeed Sandra Mamary, who is retiring after 37 years in the Westfield Public School District, 14 of them as Athletic Director.<\/p>\n
Also effective July 1, the Board approved the appointment of Edison Intermediate School assistant principal Jacqueline Spring to succeed WHS Assistant Principal Dr. Warren Hynes, who has accepted a position in a neighboring school district.<\/p>\n
DeSarno joined the Westfield Public School District in 2006 as a physical education teacher and award-winning head football coach at the high school, serving 7 years as a PE educator before becoming WHS Assistant Principal in 2013. Prior to coming to Westfield, DeSarno held a variety of PE and coaching positions at schools in Kinnelon, Linden, and Newark.<\/p>\n
Following a review of 66 applications and a thorough interview process with 6 candidates, \u201cit is clear that Mr. DeSarno is the ideal candidate for this role due to his deep understanding of athletics, physical education, and health programming,\u201d says Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Dr. Matthew Bolton.\u00a0 \u201cMr. DeSarno\u2019s experience as a high school assistant principal, combined with his successful coaching record and teaching background in physical education and health across multiple districts, make him uniquely qualified for this position.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to being named Athletic Director, DeSarno will hold dual responsibilities as supervisor of\u00a0 the K-12 physical education and health, a role he takes very seriously.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe importance of introducing games, skills, and activities to our students, helping them understand the components of good health, constantly addressing their physical, mental, emotional and social needs, and equipping them with the knowledge and skills for a healthy and fulfilling life is vital,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
DeSarno holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Montclair State University and a Master\u2019s in Educational Administration from Kean University.\u00a0 He says he is \u201cexcited by this new challenge and looks forward to working with our teachers, coaches, administrators, and the community as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the past year, Jacqueline Spring has served as Assistant Principal of Edison Intermediate School.\u00a0 Spring joined the district 17 years ago as a social studies teacher at Westfield High School.\u00a0 She served as district coordinator of the Project \u201879 program, a college-preparatory alternative that combines strong academics with a humanistic approach to support students who are not achieving the success they would like at Westfield High School. Spring also taught for 14 years in the Project \u201879 program.<\/p>\n
Spring says she is grateful for the support she received from Edison principal LaNova Schall and the entire Edison community, as she prepares to assume the new role at the high school.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to building positive rapport with students, families, and staff so we can work together to support the mission of Westfield High School,\u201d says Spring.\u00a0 \u201cI look forward to supporting the implementation of the Strategic Plan so that our students are well prepared, both academically and social-emotionally, to navigate their post-high school plans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spring holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Master\u2019s in Educational Administration from Kean University.\u00a0 Approximately 151 applications were reviewed and 7 candidates selected for interviews for the WHS assistant principal position.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am thrilled to welcome Jim as our new Director of Athletics and Supervisor of K-12 Physical Education and Health and to welcome Jackie back to the high school as Assistant Principal,\u201d says Superintendent Dr. Raymond Gonz\u00e1lez.\u00a0 \u201cBoth administrators bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their new positions and I have no doubt that they will continue to be tremendous assets to our administrative team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gonz\u00e1lez says the district looks forward to conducting a thorough and productive search to fill the open assistant principal positions at Edison and Westfield High School.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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