Dr. Gregory Rosenthal hired as new administrator of special services in Westfield (2025)

WESTFIELD — At the School Committee meeting on April 7, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Human Services Director Michael Morris introduced Dr. Gregory Rosenthal as the search committee’s pick to be the new administrator of special services and student support services. Rosenthal will replace Debra Ecker, who is retiring after serving five years at the top special education post and previously as a supervisor.

Rosenthal is the current director of special education and student services for the Douglas Public Schools. Before to that role, he had a similar one with the Northbridge Public Schools. He has also worked as a special education teacher and administrator in public schools and out-of-district private special education schools. He has led professional development on topics such as differentiated instruction, student engagement, and co-teaching, said Morris.

Rosenthal has a doctorate of education from Capella University in Minnesota, a master’s from Fitchburg State College and a bachelor’s from Salve Regina University in Rhode Island.

He was unanimously recommended by a search committee composed of teachers, administrators, principals, a student and a member of the School Committee.

During public participation at the start of the School Committee meeting, Rachel Bullock, a parent and member of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council who chaired the search committee, came forward to support the committee’s selection.

“Before voting him in, I’d like to give a big shout-out to Deb for all of her communication and help. She’s a wonderful person, and we’re going to miss her, but we’re looking forward to our new person,” Bullock said.

During the presentation, Morris thanked the search committee. “We had a number of applicants, whittled it down to the people to bring into the interviews. The committee asked for only one finalist to come forward,” he said.

School Committee member Heather Sullivan also served on the committee. “Everybody did a really good job. It was a great process,” she said, adding that the student on the committee was a great choice.

“You hit every target for us, especially in the fiscal times we’re heading into. This is a nice fit for us,” Sullivan said to Rosenthal.

To Ecker, Sullivan said, “You worked so hard in such trying times. I appreciate all the work that you did, and we’ll miss you.”

“Thank you. I am so looking forward to retirement to be with the grandkids. I really love Westfield, I’m going to miss it for sure,” Ecker said.

Rosenthal will start on July 1, and will have some crossover time with Ecker. “There are too many cases to keep monitoring and make decisions about. We’ll have some summer crossover,” Morris said before a unanimous roll call vote to confirm the applicant.

“I am enthusiastic about Greg’s experience in special education program development and look forward to the expertise he will bring to Westfield, which will benefit our students, families, and staff,” Czaporowski said after the meeting.