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Date: 12/6/2022
CHICOPEE – After an extensive interview process, Jason Dout of Chicopee Street is the new Ward 3 School Committee representative following a vote from the School Committee and City Council during a Nov. 29 joint special meeting. Dout will replace Saulo DePaula, who resigned from the position in October after moving out of the city.
In the wake of DePaula’s resignation, the School Committee triggered their B6 Policy during their Nov. 2 meeting to select a new representative. Mayor John Vieau encouraged interested candidates to reach out to his office, ultimately aspiring to fill the seat in the immediate future due to the upcoming interview process for Chicopee Public Schools’ new superintendent.
Acting Superintendent Alvin Morton continues to serve as the leader of Chicopee schools in the aftermath of former Superintendent Lynn Clark’s arrest in April. The lottery-appointed Superintendent Search Committee has met regularly since September as they worked to finalize a list of candidates for the School Committee’s consideration.
Dout vied for the Ward 3 School Committee seat alongside Robert Lingenberg and Yvette Tootle. Lingenberg boasts experience as a lifelong Chicopee resident and athletics coach, while Tootle currently works as a school administrator in Amherst following a 20-year career in education. The three candidates met before the elected bodies to highlight their qualifications and address several important topics in Chicopee education.
In his opening statement, Dout said he was born and raised in Chicopee. He lives in the ward alongside his family, with his daughter currently attending Stefanik Elementary.
“I am rooted here in Chicopee,” said Dout.
Dout described his extensive background working with students. He currently works as an English language arts teacher at Springdale Education Center. Additionally, Dout served as a dean of school culture for the Hampden Charter School of Science’s West Springfield location for seven years. He aspires for his previous experiences to inform his work in the School Committee.
“I think it’s very important right now, particularly getting past COVID[-19], that school culture is a focus and making sure that our schools are safe, educational places where students can come and be the best version of themselves,” said Dout.
Dout, Lingenberg, and Tootle answered a series of questions from the City Council and School Committee. When asked if the candidates would consider running for the Ward 3 seat in the 2023 election, Dout shared that he has “every intention” to formally go through the election process.
“Education is something I am passionate about … I have every intention, if selected, of running again for reelection in the upcoming election cycle,” said Dout.
Across the series of questions, Dout highlighted his vision for Chicopee Public Schools. He expressed his desire to help all students realize their potential.
“I view my ideology as view student centered … Every student is viewed as an opportunity for success,” said Dout.
Dout envisioned the funding infusion from the Student Opportunity Act and Fair Share Amendment as opportunities to address lingering student needs in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Taking advantage of these financial opportunities and making our schools the best that we possibly can is important … COVID[-19] and different things really set us back,” said Dout.
Dout touted his intention to address ongoing issues within Ward 3 schools, such as public safety, poverty, food insecurity and mental health, that impact students. He also stressed the importance of fortifying substance abuse education by digging into the root causes of addiction.
“When we’re talking about substance abuse, it’s important to educate about the negatives of substance abuse, but I think its important for us to dive a little deeper and talk about the reasons behind the opioids and substances,” said Dout.
Additionally, Dout highlighted the importance of promoting community and inclusiveness within the schools. He assured the legislative bodies that he will be attentive to the needs and concerns within his ward.
“I am not just trying to bring my own ideas … but [also] understand being representative of the community and knowing who I am representing,” said Dout.
Throughout his remarks, Dout advocated for helping students succeed in the pathways that best suit them. He said several of his peers benefited from the school district’s career technical education (CTE) offerings when he was a Chicopee student.
“Several students who decided to go through vocational programs are now extremely successful … We are able to view our [CTE] programing as successful in that we can not just provide opportunities for kids, but provide opportunities for them to be the best they possibly can at their traits,” said Dout.
The ongoing superintendent search represented another key topic. Dout empathized strong communication skills and a focus on community engagement as essential pillars for Chicopee Public Schools’ new leader.
The City Council and School Committee underwent two votes before finalizing the process. Dout initially earned 11 votes, Tootle received seven votes and Lingenberg secured four votes during the first vote – with none of the candidates securing the 13-vote majority needed to fill the position.
Lingenberg resigned before the final vote, in which Dout received 16 votes and Tootle received seven.
As a new School Committee member, Dout aspires to leave a positive impact within Ward 3 and across Chicopee Public Schools.
“I look forward to the opportunity to make decisions for what’s best for the residents of Chicopee, the residents of Ward 3, but most importantly our students. I think that the children are our future,” said Dout.