Two and a half years after assuming the role of Columbia High School Guidance Director, Falynn Balassone is leaving the South Orange-Maplewood School District to become Westfield Public Schools’ K-12 Director of Counseling.
Balassone, who worked as a guidance counselor in the South Orange-Maplewood School District for nearly 10 years before her elevation to director of guidance at CHS, is a Westfield resident.
The Westfield Board of Education approved Balassone’s appointment at a special meeting on Tuesday, July 26, according to TapIntoWestfield. Balassone is projected to start her new position on Sept. 1. She replaces Maureen Mazzarese, who is retiring.
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Falynn Balassone, CHS Dir. of Guidance
While directing counseling at CHS, Balassone supervised more than 15 counselors and staff; oversaw the college admissions process; monitored Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) incidents; managed out-of-district placement special education students; built the ‘Counseling Annex’ at Columbia High School for Social and Emotional Learning; helped established Cougar Academy, an alternative program for students “who benefit from a non-traditional learning environment”; and revamped the Intervention and Referral Services and home instruction processes. “But I am most proud of the team mindset that was fostered amongst the counselors and ultimately benefited our students,” Balassone said in a statement to the Westfield Board of Education.