TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—The Westwood Regional School District Board of Education approved two significant motions during a special meeting held Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
The first motion involved the approval of a $400,000 settlement agreement in the lawsuit filed by Jill Mortimer, Ed.D., against the Board of Education of the Westwood Regional School District, along with named individuals Michael Pontillo, Laura Cooper, Kristen Pedersen, and ABC Corporations. The case, filed under Docket No. BER-L-003393-24, was settled following the recommendation of the Board.
The amount includes the maximum allowed on a contract buyout—Mortimer had approximately two years remaining on the job—and other considerations pressed in her lawsuit. The settlement, to be paid by insurance, releases the district from the matter, officials said at the meeting, the night of the first day of school for the new term.
The superintendent’s chair was empty at the meeting, at Hurley Theater, Westwood Regional High School.
The second motion pertained to related personnel changes within the district’s administration. The Board appointed Dr. Bronwen Calderón as acting superintendent for up to 90 days or until a new superintendent is appointed. Calderón’s appointment is effective from Sept. 7, and includes a stipend of $5,000 per month, prorated for any partial months served.
Additionally, Denise Vélez has been approved to assist the acting superintendent with a monthly stipend of $2,000, also prorated for any partial months.
‘Discrimination, harassment…’
Mortimer, hired in January 2022 on a five-year contract as superintendent of the Westwood Regional School District, sued the K-12 board of education and three former or current members, alleging severe discrimination, harassment, and retaliation due to disabilities.
The suit details numerous allegations against the board and immediate past president Michael Pontillo and current members Laura Cooper and Kristen Pedersen, all three of Westwood, who under the plaintiff’s complaint were among her employers.
Mortimer’s legal representatives, R. Armen McOmber, Esq., and Austin B. Tobin, Esq., of McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C., alleged that a series of hostile actions has significantly impacted Mortimer’s professional and personal well-being.
Mortimer, of Wyckoff, sought compensatory and punitive damages, reinstatement of employment with accommodations, and implementation of corrective actions by the board to prevent future occurrences of discrimination and harassment.
We sought comment from the administration and defendants for our coverage and didn’t get responses. We will update this story as facts and reactions become available.
Board’s statement
On Sept. 6, the BOE wrote district families and stakeholders:
Thank you for your patience and understanding as this board navigated some challenging uncertainties this past year to reach an agreement with Dr. Mortimer that we believe is in the best interest of our district. Our goal is always to provide the best experience for our students and our school community. We deeply value every stakeholder’s investment and do not take the tax dollars you contribute to supporting our schools for granted.
As we move forward, we are excited by the opportunity to appoint a long-term Chief School Administrator who will ensure our district becomes a place where every student and staff member can thrive. We aspire to help every student reach their full potential, setting them on a fulfilling and successful life beyond their WWRSD journey. This critical step will reflect our ongoing commitment to providing our students, staff, and families with the best educational environment.
We would also like to sincerely thank Dr. Calderón for stepping into the Acting Superintendent role and Mrs. Vélez for accepting the role that will support and assist Dr. Calderón. We truly appreciate them for their leadership efforts now and for their dedicated and passionate work since joining our district.
Looking ahead with optimism, we are committed to collaborating with our administrative team to take this district to new heights. The community’s patience and trust throughout this process have been invaluable, and we are dedicated to fostering a positive, open, and communicative environment. Together, we will continue to ensure that our schools are places where excellence thrives, where every student and staff member is challenged to be their best, and where they know they are valued.
The future of this district is bright, and we are eager to write its next chapter. Thank you again for your continued patience, partnership, and support as we embark on this exciting new phase for our district. We will rise to meet the needs of our students and plan to move upward and onward – together.
The same day, Calderón and Vélez released a statement of their own:
As we begin a new school year filled with excitement and opportunity, we want to share an important update with the community. As of September 7, 2024, the Directors of Secondary and Elementary Education, Dr. Bronwen Calderón and Mrs. Denise Vèlez, will be stepping into the roles of Acting Superintendent and Assistant to the Acting Superintendent.
We want to assure you that our focus remains unwavering: supporting our students and upholding the mission of our district. We are committed to working closely with you—our parents, students, and community—to ensure a smooth and successful year. Transparency and trust are at the heart of everything we do, and we will be collaborating with our board and future leadership in order to provide clear communication and continuity throughout this period of change.
We deeply appreciate the dedication and hard work of our staff, who have been instrumental in preparing for this school year. Their passion and commitment are what make our district thrive, and we are fortunate to have such a strong team supporting our children’s education. Additionally, we want to thank and express our gratitude to the board of education for their steadfast support and trust in us.
Please feel free to reach out to the superintendent’s office with any questions or concerns. Together, we will continue to build a positive and productive environment for all our students.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Regular meeting schedule
The Board of Education has set the following schedule for its regular meetings into summer 2025:
2024: (remaining)
- September 26
- October 17
- November 14
- December 12
2025:
- January 2 (includes annual organizational meeting)
- January 23
- February 13
- March 6* (includes budget work session)
- March 20* (includes adoption of preliminary budget)
- April 24* (includes annual budget hearing)
- May 8
- June 12
Private executive sessions are held at 6:30 p.m., with board meetings beginning at 7. Meeting times are subject to change. Meetings marked with an asterisk (*) may be rescheduled based on NJDOE budget approval timelines.