2026-27: Superintendent of Schools Welcome Letter

Dear West Essex School Community,

Welcome back, Knights!

As WE prepare to begin the 2026-2027 school year, there is much to look forward to. Beginning my 19th year in the district and eighth as Superintendent of Schools, I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve a school community that brings together students and families from Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, and Roseland on one shared West Essex campus. While each town has its own unique identity and traditions, together we form one unified school community. 

Reflecting on the 2025-2026 school year gives us so much to celebrate. Our students continued to distinguish themselves through academic achievement, the arts, athletics, leadership, service, and extracurricular activities. West Essex High School (WEHS) was ranked among the top 16% of public high schools in New Jersey by Niche, our students continued to demonstrate remarkable achievement through the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy, and both our schools earned the Anti-Defamation League's Gold Star No Place for Hate designation for the third consecutive year.

Our academic programs continued to grow as well. WEHS offered 27 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, with 427 students taking approximately 1,100 AP exams across 30 subjects. Our AP Capstone program continued to provide students with advanced opportunities in research, inquiry, and presentation, while new and expanded programs across the district, including our Middle School Gifted & Talented program and specialized student supports, created additional pathways for students to learn, grow, and succeed.

The arts and extracurricular programs also remained a source of tremendous pride. Our district earned the Best Communities for Music Education designation for the 12th consecutive year, West Essex Middle School (WEMS) staged its second musical, and students participated in an expanding range of experiences, including our second Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration. At WEMS, new traditions and opportunities, including the eighth-grade Washington, D.C. trip, recess, Field Day, and an eighth-grade dance, helped strengthen student engagement and build an even greater sense of belonging.

Our student-athletes, teams, clubs, and organizations continued to represent West Essex with distinction, providing meaningful opportunities for leadership, personal growth, and collaboration. Across our athletics program, teams, student-athletes, and coaches earned prestigious recognitions and celebrated outstanding individual and team achievements, including state championship performances, while the addition of a new middle school flag football team expanded opportunities for students to compete and represent West Essex. These achievements, along with countless others that occur in our classrooms and schools every day, reflect the talent of our students and the extraordinary commitment of the educators and staff who support them. 

As we begin a new year, teaching and learning remain at the heart of everything we do. We will continue to strengthen our academic programs, expand opportunities for students, invest in innovative instructional practices, and provide learning environments in which every student is challenged, supported, and valued.

Professional learning will remain an important part of that work. Our continued focus on areas such as Artificial Intelligence, engaging multilingual learners, interactive educational technology, and curriculum management ensures that our educators have access to evolving tools and practices that can enhance instruction while keeping student-centered teaching at the forefront.

Just as importantly, we remain committed to educating the whole child. Academic achievement is essential, but a West Essex education extends far beyond grades and assessments. Through athletics, the arts, clubs, leadership opportunities, service, and school traditions, our students develop confidence, resilience, empathy, and a sense of pride in their school and community. 

Health and Safety

The health and safety of our students and staff continue to be among our highest priorities. Our Class III Special Law Enforcement Officer program, in partnership with the Borough of North Caldwell, will continue during the upcoming school year. Our officers, School Safety Coordinator, administrators, faculty, and staff work collaboratively each day to maintain schools that are safe, secure, and welcoming.

We will also continue our commitment to a respectful and inclusive school culture through programs and initiatives that foster belonging, leadership, and positive relationships. Our guidance and special services teams remain available to support students' academic, social, and emotional needs and to partner with families throughout the school year.

Planning for the Future: November 3 Bond Referendum

As we celebrate all that is happening within our schools, we must also plan responsibly for their future. On November 3, 2026, residents will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed bond referendum addressing long-term facility needs in our schools.

Our buildings have served generations of West Essex students well, but many components date to their original construction in the 1960s and are reaching the end of their useful life. The district has consistently invested in our facilities through the annual operating budget, capital reserve, and the work of our in-house maintenance staff. In fact, over the past 12 years, more than $12 million in school improvements have been completed through these existing resources. Larger infrastructure projects, significant renovations, and additions, however, cannot reasonably be accomplished one project at a time through the annual budget.

The proposed referendum addresses several areas of long-term need, including aging building 
systems and infrastructure, school security, instructional space, and facilities that support academics, the arts, athletics, and community activities. Proposed projects include a two-story classroom addition, a renovated media center and journalism lab, secure entrance vestibules, replacement of aging doors and building systems, improvements to the WEMS Auditorium, and upgrades to outdoor athletic and physical education spaces.

An important component of the proposal is state aid. The New Jersey Department of Education has approved approximately $9.3 million in state aid for eligible proposed projects, approximately $8.3 million associated with Question 1 and $1 million with Question 2. This funding would help offset the amount financed locally if voters approve the referendum.

Our responsibility throughout this process is to ensure that residents have access to clear, accurate, and factual information. Over the course of eight weeks, the district is sharing a series of brief referendum communications addressing the need for the projects, financial planning and state aid, learning spaces, school safety, aging infrastructure, community facilities, and other important topics. I encourage every member of our community to follow these updates, attend upcoming information sessions and Board of Education meetings, and visit the West Essex Referendum page to learn more. Our goal is to provide the information our community needs to make an informed decision on November 3. 

Staying Connected

Strong schools are built on strong relationships, and communication with our families and community remains essential. Coffee Chats with the Superintendent will continue this year, providing opportunities for conversation, questions, and meaningful dialogue. Additional information about dates and registration will be shared during the school year.

I also encourage families to regularly visit our district website, review the District Calendar 2026-2027 for important dates, including the first day of school, scheduled closures, and other key dates throughout the year, and stay connected with us on Instagram and Facebook for announcements and updates throughout the year. 

A Community United

To our teachers, instructional aides, secretaries, custodians, maintenance staff, technology staff, nurses, counselors, administrators, and every member of the West Essex team, thank you for the expertise, energy, and care you bring to our students each day. To our Board of Education, thank you for your continued leadership and support. And to our parents, guardians, families, and community members across Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, and Roseland, thank you for your partnership and trust. 

The start of the 2026-2027 school year brings a renewed commitment to honoring the traditions that make West Essex special, embracing new opportunities for our students, and preparing responsibly for the future.

Wishing our students, staff, and families a positive and successful school year.

 

Sincerely,

Damion Macioci, Superintendent of Schools