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Date: 2/13/2023
SOUTH HADLEY – School Committee Chair Allison Schlachter was recognized for her commitment to serving the children of the South Hadley school district during the committee’s Feb. 2 meeting as she was presented the All-State School Committee Award.
The All-State School Committee is established to annually recognize significant achievement on the part of local school committee members. The recognition is intended to honor school committee members who, during the previous year, have made a significant contribution to their community or their school committee either through specific action or as an inspiration and role model for their peers and constituents.
“I’m a little emotional, but thank you, I’m touched,” Schlachter said.
Schlachter, who has served on the committee for the last 5 years and on and off as chair, credited the other members of the committee she has worked with presently and in the past for always working together with the same intention of working for the students in the district.
“If I wasn’t working with a group of people like you all I couldn’t do what I’m doing and its because I know I have a team I can talk to honestly, be myself with and we all really dig in to solve problems. We all put our whole selves in,” Schlachter said. “There is so much investment and intelligence, the intentions [of committee members] are so solid. It’s not just me who focuses on kids, its all of us as a group, that’s what we decided to do and as a group we don’t waiver.”
Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) President-elect Mildred Lefebvre, who also serves currently on the Holyoke School Committee, joined the committee in their remote meeting and presented Schlachter with the honor.
Lefebvre, who was an honoree of the award herself last year, thanked Schlachter for all she does for the district and the students in it.
The MASC Board of Directors annually selects nine individuals who have been nominated by their local school committee to be recognized as members of the All-State School Committee. A member is selected from each of the nine Divisions of MASC.
Also joining the remote meeting to congratulate Schlachter was state Sen. Jacob Oliveira and state Rep. Dan Carey who both presented her with congratulations from themselves and on behalf of their respective bodies.
“I understand the past few years haven’t been easy, but the work School Committee members do to ensure a quality education to all students is essential and we need people to step forward and run for School Committee because we need people who have student’s best interests at heart,” Oliveira said.
Carey expressed similar gratitude for Schlachter’s commitment to work. He noted that before the meeting started while working through technical difficulties with the stream of the meeting, Schlachter made a comment that represented her perspective in the work she does.
“Alli said, ‘there’s no problem we can’t solve’ and that just goes to show the spirit she brings to our community,” Carey said. “I was more excited when I learned more about the award, that it goes to somebody who puts the students first. Not who runs the most efficient meetings, or does the best budget, it’s who puts the students first. Alli has that front and center on everything she does. It’s clear to us in the community and everyone across the state.”
School Committee member Kyle Belanger credited Schlachter for her commitment to work and “the fact that you [Schlachter] have never once turned away.”
“I’ve never seen someone stand so straight through the harshest storms and the cruelest winds, I am really proud to have served with you,” Belanger said.
School Committee Vice Chair Eric Friesner expressed more thanks and praise to Schlachter for being a leader for the committee and serving by example.
“The School Committee would be a train wreck if Alli were not here and helping shepherd us new members and showing what it takes to be a good School Committee member,” Friesner said. “All of South Hadley should be thankful for you.”