Connelly Named Westwood Regional Middle School Principal

Frank Connelly is set to be the new principal of Westwood Regional Middle School.

The Westwood Regional Board of Education voted to appoint Connelly to the position during their meeting Thursday night.

"I'm honored," Connelly said. "I'm excited."

Connelly is starting his ninth year working in the district. He started as a social studies teacher for grades seven through 12, at which time he was also the varsity basketball coach. He next became the assistant principal at the high school for four years, before moving to the new middle school as assistant principal there. Connelly also has two children in the district, including one starting at the middle school this fall.

Maintaining the positive learning environment that Connelly and outgoing Principal Charles Seipp — who is leaving to become the new principal of Mountain View Middle School in Mendham — worked to cultivate at the school is a important goal, Connelly said.

"I think it's important to provide challenges for our students, academically and socially," he said.

Helping the school's staff adjust to new state mandates, including the new standardized test called the PARCC assessment and the new teacher evaluation system, will also be a major first task for Connelly.

"I'm excited about continuing to move the district in the right direction," he said.