At its regular public meeting on May 9, 2023, the Westfield Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Matthew Bolton as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Programs, effective July 1, 2023.
“Having served as an administrator in four schools (Roosevelt, Lincoln, McKinley, and Edison) over the course of sixteen years within the Westfield Public Schools, I have developed a keen understanding of our curriculum, programs, and instructional practices,” says Bolton. “My previous experiences working within Westfield have afforded me the opportunity to develop strong relationships with principals, supervisors, and various district level leaders. I believe that the strength of these relationships will be key to our growth as a district as we implement the various goals within an ambitious new strategic plan.”
For the past 11 years, Bolton has served as the Principal of Edison Intermediate School, with more than 700 students and over 100 staff members. While at Edison, Bolton has:
- designed and facilitated a multi-year school strategic plan to identify and address student achievement gaps,
- researched and implemented schoolwide programs to increase a sense of connection and belonging among students, including the Advisory Program which has all students and staff taking part in group character education lessons on a monthly basis,
- developed and served as chair of the district-wide Allergy Awareness Committee; and
- implemented a professional learning community model for teachers to analyze data to enhance instructional practice.
Bolton also has served as an on-site administrative mentor to aspiring administrators and has created structures for job-embedded and sustained professional learning for educators through the school day using common interdisciplinary planning periods.
Before joining Edison, Bolton served as principal of McKinley Elementary School from 2010-2012, acting principal of the Lincoln Early Childhood Learning Center in 2010, and assistant principal at Roosevelt Intermediate School from 2007-2010. He began his career in education in 2001 as a second grade teacher in Fairlawn, New Jersey, where he also taught 6th grade social studies until 2007.
“It is my sincerely held belief that my rich background of leadership experiences will be of significant benefit, as we chart the district’s future course,” says Bolton. “I have committed myself to ensuring that all students experience engaging coursework. It is my goal to continue enhancing both the daily school experience and learning outcomes of students on a districtwide level.”
Bolton holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from New York’s Fordham University, where he also serves as an adjunct professor. He earned a Master of Science in Education, with a major in Educational Leadership, from the Bank Street College of Education in New York, along with a Bachelor of Science in Education, with a dual major in Elementary Education and Sociology, from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.
Superintendent Dr. Raymond González praises Bolton as a trusted school leader at Edison and within the broader school community, who emerged as the clear choice out of 56 applicants and three rounds of interviews.
“I am pleased to recommend Dr. Bolton to be our next Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Programs,” says González. “His extensive knowledge of curriculum and instruction, data analysis, and professional development, along with his commitment to the academic, social, and emotional health of all students and staff, make him the ideal candidate for this position.”
“I look forward to working closely with Dr. Gonzalez, as well as school and department leaders, to ensure that our curriculum, professional development, and instructional practices are organized so that the students of the Westfield Public Schools enjoy a consistent and excellent educational experience,” Bolton adds.
Bolton will succeed Dr. Paul Pineiro who is retiring as of June 30, 2023.