Westfield 2025 School Board Election: Who's Running, Where To Vote

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield School Board Election is Tuesday, April 15. Here is what Westfield voters need to know before they hit the polls.

Voters will not only be choosing candidates, but they will also be asked to vote on the district's annual budget and bond referendum.

Three incumbents are seeking re-election with one newcomer challenger.

Who is on the ballot? (* denotes incumbent)

Below is a list of the candidates with their slogan (an asterisk designates an incumbent).

Additionally, when you click on the candidate's name, you can read their Patch Candidate Profile detailing why they are running and their stance on issues:

• Robert Benacchio - "For Our Families"*
• Kristen Sonnek Schmelz - "Excellence in Education"*
• Violetta Watson - "Putting Kids First"
• Mary Wickens - (no slogan)*

More information can be found on the April 2025 School Board Election page under the Board tab on the Westfield Public School District website at westfieldnjk12.org.

Ballot Questions

Voters will also be asked to vote on the 2025/2026 School Operating Budget.

• QUESTION NO. 1 – 2025/2026 School Operating Budget - RESOLVED, that there should be raised an additional $302,734 for the General Fund in the same school year (2025-2026). These taxes will be used exclusively for the retention of 2 elementary teachers, 1 intermediate teacher, and health benefits for the 3 current staff members. Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase to the tax base. These proposed additional expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Westfield residents will also vote on a comprehensive bond proposal that would fund $188.7 million in large-scale school building improvements and $37.2 million for additions necessary to expand to Full Day Kindergarten.

BOND PROPOSAL QUESTION NO. 2 - The Board of Education of the Town of Westfield in the County of Union, New Jersey is authorized: (a) to provide for construction of 47,966 gross square feet of additions, and renovations, alterations and improvements at Franklin Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Tamaques Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, Wilson Elementary School, Edison Intermediate School, Roosevelt Intermediate School and Westfield High School, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furnishings and equipment, sitework and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $188,651,858 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district therefore in the principal amount of $188,651,858.

The final eligible costs of these projects authorized by this bond proposal and approved by the Commissioner of Education are $138,394,178 (with $10,254,327 allocated to Franklin Elementary School, $12,091,655 allocated to Jefferson Elementary School, $9,609,054 allocated to McKinley Elementary School, $6,408,585 allocated to Tamaques Elementary School, $8,734,903 allocated to Washington Elementary School, $10,273,570 allocated to Wilson Elementary School, $18,128,735 allocated to Edison Intermediate School, $18,438,566 allocated to Roosevelt Intermediate School and $44,454,783 allocated to Westfield High School). The projects include $999,324 allocated to Westfield High School for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.

BOND PROPOSAL QUESTION NO. 3 - The Board of Education of the Town of Westfield in the County of Union, New Jersey is authorized: (a) to provide for construction of an additional 30,550 gross square feet of additions, and alterations, renovations and improvements at Franklin Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Tamaques Elementary School and Washington Elementary School needed to implement a full day kindergarten program, including acquisition and installation of fixtures, furnishings and equipment, sitework and related work and costs; (b) to appropriate $37,155,384 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district therefore in the principal amount of $37,155,384. In the event this Question No. 3 is approved by the voters at this election, but Question No. 2 is not approved, the Board of Education further appropriates an additional $5,518,320 from Capital Reserve for the purposes approved in this Question No. 3. The final eligible costs of the projects authorized by this bond proposal and approved by the Commissioner of Education are $5,338,999 (with $1,933,454 allocated to Franklin Elementary School, $715,000 allocated to Jefferson Elementary School, $603,031 allocated to McKinley Elementary School, $876,018 allocated to Tamaques Elementary School and $1,211,496 allocated to Washington Elementary School). The projects include $0 for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this election.

• Related: 'No Question Additional Funding Proposal Needed' In Westfield, Says Superintendent

For more information on the referendum visit sites.google.com/westfieldnjk12.org/wps-bond-referendum/home.

Where Can I Vote?

Vote In-Person On Election Day, April 15 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Roosevelt School, 301 Clark St., Gym (Ward 1, District 1; Ward 1, District 2; Ward 1, District 3; Ward 1, District 5; Ward 1, District 7)
• Library, 550 E. Broad St, Program Room (Ward 1, District 4; Ward 1, District 6)
• Union County Administration Building, 300 North Avenue (Ward 2, District 1)
• Wilson Elementary School Gym, 301 Linden Ave. (Ward 2, District 2; Ward 2, District 3; Ward 2, District 4; Ward 2, District 5; Ward 2, District 6)
• Westfield National Guard Armory, 500 Rahway Ave., Entrance in Rear (Ward 3, District 1; Ward 3, District 5; Ward 3, District 6; Ward 3, District 7; Ward 4, District 3; Ward 4, District 4; Ward 4, District 5)
• Edison Intermediate School, 800 Rahway Ave., Gym (Ward 3, District 2; Ward 3, District 3; Ward 3, District 4; Ward 4, District 1; Ward 4, District 2)

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