WESTFIELD — Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski recently sent a letter to families addressing proactive steps that the Westfield Public School District is taking in the event that a plan to open a reentry facility at 182/184 Southampton Road moves forward.
In the letter, Czaporowski stated that the district is considering adding 15 to 20 exterior cameras at the Southampton Road and Westfield Intermediate schools.
Czaporowski said right now, Westfield Intermediate School has a half-time school resource officer, and the district is looking at how to expand that position and maintain police presence in and around the schools. The district is continuing to review and practice safety drills, and recently held ALICE — or Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate — drills at all the schools in the district, he said.
In addition, they are continuing monthly safety meetings with the Westfield Police and Fire departments, along with the reentry facility, as a standing agenda item.
Czaporowski said he met with Westfield Police Chief Jerome Pitoniak to talk about what communication the district should put out to families about the steps they are taking. “We wanted to be transparent about the situation and reassure families that Westfield Public Schools and the Westfield Police Department were working together. I want people to know why I sent the letter I sent, and that the district is opposed to this placement.”
Czaporowski said the location of the facility, which is being proposed by a nonprofit called Community Resources for Justice, puts an undue burden on the school district that will cost funds to implement stepped-up protocols at a time when school budgets are getting cut.
The proposed facility, if built, would be in close proximity to Southampton Road School and Westfield Intermediate School.
“We found out about it at the same time as everybody else, with no lead time at all,” he said. “I think the impact, not just on funding, [but] to students, families and the broader community is significant, and will impact Westfield Public Schools negatively. The whole city attends Westfield Intermediate School, not just the Southampton Road School. Families could opt for schools in other communities,” said Czaporowski.
He also made the point that kids walk to school. “I’m not convinced that any security promises from these folks satisfy our concerns. I wonder if any of the folks in charge of this reentry facility would want it near their child’s school,” he said.
Czaporowski said since he found out about the plan, he has advocated with local and state officials about the district’s strong opposition to the location of the reentry facility. “I do understand the value of our reentry programs, but locating this close to any school is ridiculous. I will continue to advocate strongly for the relocation of this facility, and to advocate on behalf of our students and schools.”
“It’s about our kids. As a community, it’s our responsibility to do anything to protect them, and this facility does not do that. I need them to know the district is not in favor of this,” Czaporowski said.
The day after the communication went out from the superintendent, the decision was made to delay the opening of the reentry facility until the summer. Czaporowski said he is continuing to speak to legislators. “We’re hopeful that with continued advocacy that this reentry facility will be located somewhere else away from any school.”
