Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski addresses the class of 2026.
Reminder Publishing photo by Marc St. Onge
WESTFIELD — At the School Committee meeting on June 29, its last regular meeting until Aug. 24, vice chair Michael Tirrell gave a summary of the committee’s annual superintendent’s evaluation.
He reported that overall, “Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski is recognized as an effective and student-centered leader who consistently demonstrates performance at a proficient to exemplary level.”
Tirrell said every year from May to early June, all of the School Committee members, except the mayor, who chairs the committee, complete a full evaluation of the superintendent based on goals and progress the district has made.
Mayor Michael McCabe has chosen not to participate in the annual evaluation during his tenure, arguing that he considers Czaporowski to be “the mayor of the school district.”
Tirrell said there is also a written portion of the evaluation where members can give ideas, thoughts, compliments and suggestions, from which he creates a summary, acknowledging that it is not always an easy task.
“As far as the process goes, it has changed a little bit through the years, but the general process is that each committee member does an independent evaluation, and then we combine the ratings to come up with an overall summative rating for each category and also an overall rating. We also evaluate each of the goals set forth at the beginning of the year and determine whether or not they have been met. Aspects of everyone’s notes are used to generate supporting comments for each rating category as well as the overall rating,” Tirrell explained after the meeting.
Reading from the summary at the meeting, Tirrell said Czaporowski has made meaningful progress in advancing key district priorities, including improving attendance, expanding early learning opportunities, and introducing innovative initiatives, such as the district’s focus on artificial intelligence.
“His leadership is characterized by a strong commitment to data, informed decision making, thoughtful management of financial and operational change challenges, and the ability to foster a transparent, collaborative culture that builds trust with staff, the School Committee and the broader community,” Tirrell said, adding, “Across all performance standards, Stefan has established a solid foundation for continued success by maintaining stability, strengthening partnerships, and aligning district efforts around clear goals for student achievement.”
Tirrell said the evaluation identifies opportunities for continued growth by further translating strategic planning into measurable student outcomes, enhancing alignment between resources and priorities, and expanding inclusive engagement efforts.
“With this forward-thinking approach, strong communication and focus on continuous improvement, Stefan is well-positioned to sustain and build upon the district’s positive trajectory,” Tirrell said in conclusion.
Bo Sullivan, chair of Finance for the School Committee, thanked Tirrell for putting together the evaluations, summarizing them succinctly and staying on top of members to make sure it got done.
“I think we’re lucky to have you, I really do,” Sullivan said to Czaporowski. “After all these years that you’ve had the job, and the potential for growth is always there in every job, I think everybody would agree with that.”
Sullivan also commented on the exemplary staff that Czaporowski has assembled and the leadership roles they have taken in the city, which he added is also a reflection of the superintendent.
School Committee member Kathleen Hillman thanked Czaporowski for his work. “I just want to say to Stefan, I’m so proud of you, how you lead our district. You are a rules person, and you try to do everything that is appropriate statewide, and you encourage us to be better people here, too,” she said.
“All of our staff, I think, loves your leadership. Thank you so much for all you do,” Hillman added.
Newly-elected School Committee member Jeffrey Gosselin, who had previously served on the committee before starting again in January, also commented. “When I first came back on the School Committee, I had come to your office, and you welcomed me in, and said your door is always open for communications,” Gosselin said. He said he appreciated the superintendent’s newsletters and updates, which he found to be very helpful.
With no other comments from members Kick Sullivan and Jeffrey Gunther, the latter of whom was absent, McCabe weighed in.
“So, as for me, most of you know that I work with Stefan pretty much daily. Every day we’re talking with one another, and for the last four and a half years, it’s been my pleasure to work with you. I find that your ability to understand and comprehend complex problems is really second to none,” McCabe said, thanking him for his service.
“As a school district, we continue to face yearly budget pressures— from unfunded mandates and aging facilities to rising costs —which require careful prioritization and creativity to protect and prioritize student learning. Stefan and the administrative team continue to provide steady leadership in navigating these challenges effectively,” Tirrell said after the meeting.
Czaporowski first joined Westfield Public Schools in November 2008 as the district social studies supervisor. He became the assistant principal at Westfield Vocational Technical High School in July 2009 and then the principal of Westfield Technical Academy in July 2012. In March 2016, he was named superintendent of schools. As superintendent, Czaporowski is responsible for the leadership, administration, and management of approximately 4,750 students, nine schools, 867 employees and a $78 million budget.
“I am grateful to the School Committee for their confidence and support. It has been an incredible honor to serve the students, staff, families, and community of Westfield for the past 10 years. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I remain committed to building on that success as we continue providing outstanding opportunities for every student,” Czaporowski said after the meeting.
