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Date: 5/3/2022
SOUTH HADLEY – In their first meeting following this year’s town election, the South Hadley School Committee voted to name Dr. Jackson Matos as its new chair.
Matos, who used to go by Jen, announced following his nomination for the role that he was transgender and would be going by a different name. To give clarity to the public, Matos felt he had to share this personal information to be open and honest with who he is as he takes on the new role.
“When voting in a great democracy, people need to know all the information and they need to make an informed decision. I want to share with you there has been a change in my name and my identity,” Matos said.
Matos called the decision “47 years in the making” and added that he knows there will be some hiccups with using his new name and pronouns. Matos added as a social justice educator that he was disappointed in himself for not coming out with this decision sooner in a sign of support for any students dealing with their own personal struggles with identity.
“For that, I apologize profusely for not showing up for them,” Matos said.
Former Chair and newly elected Vice Chair Allison Schlachter nominated Matos for chair and said his support, knowledge and communication within the School Committee made him a great candidate. While Schlachter served as chair, Matos was her vice chair.
“Thank you for your courage to say this in front of anyone watching. You have my full support in this, and you have nothing to apologize for,” Schlachter said. “Your courage and bravery and what you’ve given to this community is beautiful.”
Committee member Danielle Cooke added that Matos was a wonderful role model and was glad that he would be there to continue leading the School Committee. Matos was unanimously voted in to be chair.
McLaughlin reflects on Skala
During his report Assistant Superintendent Mark McLaughlin said he wanted to mention Hank Skala, former principal of Plains Elementary School, who died last month, and remember him as the school community continues to move forward. McLaughlin said it has been a difficult time for him personally and the community as the weeks have gone on following the Skala’s death.
“More than anything Hank would want us to move on, but sometimes I think we struggle with guilt on what it means to move on,” McLaughlin said. “It’s been just within a month since we lost Hank and I don’t think it’s enough time to not recall he was a huge, huge person in South Hadley. A huge and wonderful person really for the district and certainly for Plains.”
McLaughlin added that in the community’s efforts to move on from this moment in time, he hopes it is viewed in the context of building on Skala’s legacy. He noted those who knew Skala best would know he would want Plains to be strong.
“I’m thinking of him tonight. I just wanted to say as much as we are moving on, it’s not the same thing as forgetting,” McLaughlin said. “I would tell Hank we are going to finish strong for him this year.”
McLaughlin also formally introduced the School Committee to Plains interim Principal Carla Lussier who was assigned the position following Skala’s death. The assistant superintendent said he could not be happier to have her a part of the school community.
“She has jumped into a challenging situation with both feet and a lot of heart,” McLaughlin said of Lussier.