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Date: 6/8/2022
SOUTH HADLEY – School Committee Chair Dr. Jackson Matos has resigned after surviving a heart attack, according to a statement from Matos read during the June 2 committee meeting.
The news was announced through new School Committee Chair Allison Schlachter as she read the letter of resignation from Matos, who was not in attendance for the meeting.
“The weekend after our last School Committee meeting, I survived a heart attack and have been recovering in the time since my acute health crisis. This is my second heart attack, and I have been advised by my physicians and my family to reduce stressors in my life, and to make changes to my lifestyle,” Matos wrote. “Regrettably, one of these changes includes my resignation as a member of the School Committee.”
Schlachter, who was serving as vice chair before being reorganized to chair once again following the reading of Matos’ resignation, said that she is glad Matos is at home and recovering and that it is a wake up call when someone close to you experiences something like this.
“Jackson has been an outstanding colleague and leader of the School Committee and his wisdom, compassion and quick wit will be missed. Jackson offered a racial and social justice lens that really elevated our committee and the work we are doing in our schools,” Schlachter wrote in a statement to Reminder Publishing.
She added that Jackson has the support of the School Committee in order to take care of the number one priority of health and looks forward to Matos getting better and continuing to contribute to the South Hadley community in many other ways.
Further in Matos’ letter of resignation, he said his fellow committee members are all serving for the right reasons and credited them for taking their work seriously. He also added that the role gave him a deeper appreciation and respect for public service.
“I was excited about the direction this committee is headed in. I am especially proud of the strides we have made in our DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) work,” Matos wrote. “While I will not be serving in this capacity, I will always remain a supporter of our district. I urge all members of South Hadley to consider service in strengthening the cornerstone of our community – our schools.”
Acting superintendent’s report
Acting Superintendent Mark McLaughlin gave personal appreciation to Matos following the reading of his resignation letter and said he is happy Matos is taking the time to take care of himself. He added that the short time he worked with Matos was “pure delight” and he was very appreciative of that and the interactions they shared working together.
During his report of the superintendent, McLaughlin took the time to appreciate the different town agencies that were involved and called to action in response to an online threat made towards the Michael E. Smith Middle School (MESMS).
“Thanks to police and Chief Gunderson. Their show of presence contributed a lot to the feeling of ‘we got this,’ so I’m vert grateful for that,” McLaughlin said.
He continued saying it’s not easy to be a public educator at the moment, adding that most people don’t go into work thinking about the protection and care of 25 children. McLaughlin also gave credit to the MESMS office staff for navigating through phone calls and keeping a steady line of communication from the schools to the police and the town.
“It was a great example of the community pulling together, agencies and staff,” McLaughlin said.
A donation in memory of Hank Skala
President of the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) at Plains Elementary School Danielle Jajko joined the School Committee to request they accept the donation of playground equipment at Plains Elementary.
Jajko said the Plains PTA were looking for a way to honor the late Hank Skala, who died in April, for his over five years spent with the Plains school community. Skala, who was hired at Plains in 2016 left a reputation of a kind caring principal who loved the students he was able to work with.
Jajko said the PTA considered a bench or a tree in his honor, but figured they should find some other way to honor Skala that could get more interaction from the students he cared so much about.
“Just knowing how much Hank put the student before everything else we wanted to do something,” Jajko said.
With funds raised following Skala’s passing, the Plains PTA will be purchasing four metal flowers that will be installed into the playground and are durable for all weather conditions. The set of four flowers each have four flower pedals on them that each play a different tone when hit, similar to chimes but in the form of metal flowers.
The flowers are easy to play and ADA (American Disabilities Act) accessible according to Jajko. She added there will be no reoccurring costs for the equipment. The project has totaled just over $4,000 and has been paid for through donations and the remaining costs will be covered by the Plains PTA, as well as the installation costs.
The committee will officially accept the request next meeting after a formal letter of the request is brought by Jajko, but the order for the flower pedals is being made and the school committee was in full support of the donation.