Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Retirements topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Essex board honors retiring teachers and long‑time staff
Summary
At its June 8 meeting the West Essex Regional School District board recognized multiple retirees — teachers and longtime support staff — thanking them for years of service and sharing remarks about their contributions to students and school programs.
The West Essex Regional School District Board of Education on June 8 recognized several retiring educators and staff for long service to the district, including teachers Vincent (Vin) Carchetta, Jenny Tom (Tom Carroll) and Ada Trinidad, middle‑school teacher Bonnie Jing, and district staff Diane Levine and Isaac Guzman.
The recognition portion of the board meeting centered on personal tributes and career summaries. Dr. Westervelt, West Essex High School principal, noted that Carchetta is retiring after 27 years in education with 12 at West Essex and praised his curricular work in mathematics and computer science. Westervelt said of Carchetta, "He said, keep doing what you're doing. Be yourself in the classroom. You do not have to be the perfect teacher as long as you're proud of your work." Dr. Westervelt also described Jenny Tom as bringing "the real world right into Room 311," citing her prior career as a chemical engineer, quantitative analyst and sales manager before 20 years in the classroom.
The board and administration extended thanks to Ada Trinidad for 32 years in education, including 16 years at West Essex, and to Bonnie Jing for 17 years of service at the middle school and work with the Rogay program. The superintendent recognized Diane Levine for 22 years as a secretary in special services and Isaac Guzman for 22 years in the buildings and grounds department, noting Levine’s scheduling and transportation work and Guzman’s role in field and grounds maintenance.
Board members and administrators emphasized the retirees' mentorship, program development and steady support of students and staff. Several administrators invited the audience to join in brief photo opportunities and extended community thanks for the retirees' contributions.
The board recessed the recognition period to conduct routine business; no personnel actions beyond the recognitions were announced for immediate board vote.
