the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, In a district that has faced its share of challenges in recent years, incoming Westwood Regional schools superintendent Patrick McQueeney is prioritizing a “listening tour” to connect with staff, parents, and the wider community. McQueeney, who begins his role on November 1, is eager to engage with Westwood residents to shape the district’s future together.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with parents and staff to get a feel for the direction that Westwood needs to go,” McQueeney said in a recent interview. “Any initiatives we want to pursue as a community will naturally come to the forefront, and we will address them thoughtfully.”
McQueeney, currently the superintendent of the Wanaque K-8 district in Passaic County, was unanimously appointed by the Westwood Regional Board of Education, with one abstention. His five-year contract will run from November 2024 through June 2029, with an annual salary of $250,000.
Leadership Experience and Career Background
McQueeney brings years of experience to his new role. He has led the Wanaque district for four years and previously served in leadership roles in the Sparta school district, where he was both acting superintendent and assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. He has also worked as an elementary school principal and a high school vice principal, with a background in teaching chemistry and physics.
His decision to move to Westwood, which serves about 2,800 students across Westwood and Washington Township, represents a step up from the Wanaque district, which has around 870 students. McQueeney said he was drawn to the opportunity to lead a high-performing K-12 district with a strong reputation for educational excellence.
“It’s a great district with a great reputation for excellence in education,” McQueeney said. “It was the next logical step in my career as a K-8 superintendent to take on the responsibilities of a K-12 district.”
Listening Before Leading
One of McQueeney’s main goals as he begins his tenure is to understand Westwood’s unique needs before implementing any new initiatives. He emphasized that each district has its own culture, challenges, and opportunities.
“Westwood will be the same thing,” he said. “It’s got its unique culture and community and its own challenges.” McQueeney plans to take what he’s learned from leading other districts and apply those lessons thoughtfully to Westwood, ensuring that the right initiatives are implemented in the right way.
A District in Need of Unity
Westwood’s school board has seen its share of heated debates in recent years, particularly surrounding issues like parental rights and how to handle transgender students. Last November, voters ousted a conservative parental rights majority from the board, but tensions have continued to flare at board meetings. However, McQueeney’s appointment was one of the few decisions the board unanimously agreed upon, giving hope that his leadership could help calm the waters.
Aware of the district’s recent turmoil, McQueeney hopes to foster a spirit of cooperation moving forward. “I’m hoping to bring some structure and leadership to the district,” he said. “We need to have open, professional communication and ensure there’s a shared agreement that we’re moving forward for our students.”
As the Westwood community looks ahead, McQueeney’s approach—focused on listening, learning, and leading—could provide the steady hand needed to guide the district into a more unified and prosperous future.
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