Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 10/20/2021
EASTHAMPTON – Six candidates are running uncontested for Easthampton School Committee in this year’s municipal election on Nov. 2. Four of them – Laurie Garcia, Marin Goldstein, Cynthia Kwiecinski, and Shannon Dunham stand to be re-elected. Benjamin Hersey and Megan Harvey would be elected as newcomers. Each seat is for a two-year term.
Despite the lack of opposition, Reminder Publishing posed questions to each member to give residents a better understanding of who they are and what they think. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Reminder Publishing (RP): Why did you want to run for election/reelection to the School Committee this year?
Garcia: When I ran for reelection two years ago, little did any of us know that the tasks and decisions of School Committee members across the country would be so daunting. The goals I had for my current term were put on the back burner as we grappled with the best ways to educate our students while keeping our whole community safe. When I pulled papers this July, I thought we had turned the biggest corner; however, we still continually hear various concerns related to pandemic topics, and there are always at least two sides. I have prided myself on using an evidence-based scientific approach to keep all safe but have been empathetic to the concerns of many. I want to run to continue our work pre-pandemic and see students enter our long-awaited new school, Mountain View.
Goldstein: This will be my third time and I've been focused throughout my past four years on the role of the superintendent, building a great new school, and the fiscal health of our school district. I have also been heavily invested in the rebuilding of our community with a strong focus on equity and tolerance.?
Hersey: I’m running for school committee because I am passionate about the importance of public education. I grew up going to public schools and I have been working as an educator in public school settings for the better part of twenty years, including the last twelve as an English faculty member at Holyoke Community College. Over the last few years, I have discovered a passion for education policy and feel that my experience as an educator and parent will bring a fresh perspective to the committee. I am excited to participate in the work being done to ensure our kids and families have the best educational experience possible in Easthampton. I love this town and feel truly grateful to have my third grader coming up in Easthampton public schools.
Kwiecinski: I am running again for School Committee because as a teacher in Hatfield, as well as being a resident of Easthampton, I am committed to providing the best education for our children. As a teacher I understand what schools require, to run smoothly and address our students’ needs.
RP: What are some school issues you hope to address in the following term?
Garcia: As an educator for more than 30 years, and a member of a bicultural/ bilingual family, I offer a unique perspective to share with my colleagues on the committee. I am especially sensitive to the need to bring more diversity, equity, and inclusion to our district. Even though we have come far from the woes that plagued Easthampton when I first ran four years ago, there is still much work to be done.
I have continuously promoted the use of tools to bring effective translations and interpretations to all the members of our school community, not only to the Spanish speakers to whom I have personally provided these services on various occasions, but also to the speakers of all the languages. I would also like to work on making our school calendar respectful of the diverse traditions that are celebrated by multiple religions and cultures. As a Jewish elected official, I am proud to be a voice for those of us who have felt marginalized often in our community.
Goldstein: This past year I helped negotiate a new four-year union contract and navigate through a challenging MOA in regards to COVID. I hope these are behind us and no new surprises arise.
Hersey: I see myself as an advocate for parents and students, one who is transparent and available. If I have an agenda, the number one item on it is a desire to continue to engage in relationship building between the district and parents/caregivers/families. Additionally, as a prospective new committee member, I see myself as entering into an ongoing project. I have been following along closely to the work of the school committee for the last few years and so I’m coming into this with knowledge of and respect for the incredible efforts of faculty, staff and admin and look forward to helping to continue to articulate the broad goals of the district.
Kwiecinski: 1. We need to keep our schools safe so that they can stay open during this continuing pandemic. 2. We need to address the social emotional needs of our students, as a result of the pandemic. 3. We need to continue to address equity issues such as food insecurity, access to technology, and acceptance of diversity. The challenges to schools during this pandemic have been astronomical but not insurmountable and Easthampton has done an excellent job of meeting those challenges, but more work is still needed.
RP: What are your thoughts on the forthcoming inception of the Mountain View School, and how do you think it will impact the district?
Garcia: When I look back at my campaign goals from my first term, I had hoped to garner support for a new pre-K through 8 school. Now, we eagerly await its inauguration just a few months away. I believe our new school will continue to move our district swiftly into the 21st century, especially where facilities can provide adequate space and effective technology.
I have also been actively involved with the Mass. Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to Schools program, and we hope to create safe spurs to the bike path to enable more students to safely arrive biking, walking, or rolling to our new school. I hope the new school will encourage more residents to keep their children in our school system, as many have cited the poor facilities as a reason to choice out. We must also make the curriculum enticing to all. My goal is to bring a dual-language program to our new school, where there can be social and academic benefits for all involved.
Goldstein: Transparency and community engagement have been critical in the past year and continues to be an important focus as we rebuild during this year of in-person learning. The ESSER funds will allow us opportunities to support the additional needs of our students in this trying time. But the new school opens for middle school students in January and we hope next year will see a positive change in the Choice student ratio, with more parents and students joining our community.?
Hersey: Mountain View School is beautiful and I am thrilled for our students, teachers, staff. I’m looking forward to seeing how changes in building environment and classroom design might inform and improve student experiences, for instance. More broadly, I think Mountain View has the potential to become an important site in our community where district families feel welcomed and comfortable. We need to support our families’ engagement in the district to continue to build trust. I’m thinking a lot about how we can preserve that community feel of Maple and Center Pepin at Mountain View. I am worried about the loss of that easy interaction between kids, families and school staff at our neighborhood schools. My hope is that we make the most of this amazing new school, while also making consistent efforts to grow connections, both between families and between families and the district so that they feel at home here and a part of the community.
Kwiecinski: I have been on the Building Committee for our new school since the beginning forums to encourage our city to vote yes. Our new school will improve the quality of education for all of our elementary and middle school students and I am extremely excited to see it in the finishing stages. This new school will be good for our families and in turn improve our city.
Harvey and Dunham did not submit answers.