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Date: 9/27/2021
HOLYOKE – On Nov. 2, residents in the city of Holyoke will head to the polls to determine the outcome of several municipal elections including City Council, School Committee and who their next mayor will be. In an effort for residents to better know the candidates who will be on the ballot and their position on city-specific issues, Reminder Publishing reached out to each candidate running for School Committee. Each candidate was asked to submit a short biography along with answers to several issue-specific questions.
Responses printed by Reminder Publishing on behalf of the candidates represent their own thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Reminder Publishing does not endorse any candidate nor their beliefs.
Candidates on the ballot for School Committee seats include Rosalee Tensley Williams for Ward 2; Rebecca Birks for Ward 3; Faizul Sibdhanny Jr. and Irene Feliciano-Sims for Ward 4; John Whelihan for Ward 5; William Collamore for Ward 6; Colleen Chesmore and Eleanor Wilson for Ward 7; and Marc Hickey and Mildred Lefebvre for At-Large.
Their response, listed numerically by ward and alphabetically, are as follows:
Biographies
Whelihan, Ward 5: I currently serve as Holyoke’s Ward 5 School Committee member. I previously served as an at-large member of the School Committee and City Council. While serving on the City Council, I introduced an order that increased the local property tax exemption for Holyoke’s senior citizens. As chair of the School District’s Policy Committee, dual enrollment was created in order to provide our students the ability to earn college credits. In addition, I was a proud co-sponsor of the order that established the Holyoke Public Schools’ Athletic Hall of Fame.
Chesmore, Ward 7: My name is Colleen Chesmore and I am running for School Committee in Ward 7. For the past 35 years I have worked as a registered respiratory therapist. My father was a Navy veteran and police officer in Framingham for over 30 years and my mother was an emergency room nurse. Together they taught my siblings and I the values of faith, hard work and giving back to the community.
I’ve resided in Holyoke since 2001. My oldest daughter, Courtney, graduated from Holyoke High School in 2010 and my youngest, Gracie, is scheduled to graduate in 2025.
During my time here I’ve been actively involved in the community, serving on the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, Holyoke Police Community Relations Board, Meals on Wheels, Wreaths Across America and numerous veteran’s organizations. In 2018 I was honored to receive a host family for the Valley Blue Sox and Bay State Bobcats.
Our schools have an obligation to educate our children and prepare them for the future. They will become lawyers, clergy, nurses, teachers, public works employees and countless other professionals in the coming years. In short, they will become our community. Our children should be our number one priority.
Wilson, Ward 7: My name is Eleanor “Ellie” Wilson. I attended Holyoke Public Schools and graduated from Holyoke High School in 1985. I received my BA from Elms College, went through the Collaborative licensure program, and obtained M.Ed. from Lesley University in math education. I am a special education teacher, youth coach, and leader. I am passionate about ensuring that Holyoke students and families are treated equally. We need to recognize and understand the unique challenges and rewards educators and HPS staff encounter daily.
After 15 years in the human resources field, I wanted a career change. I enjoyed training new employees and with my husband Toby’s encouragement, I set my sights on becoming a teacher. My mother, mother-in-law, two uncles, and numerous cousins worked within our school system; you could say, it was my destiny. My first job was as a one-to-one paraprofessional while I pursued my teaching license. As a special education teacher at Donahue and Kelly Schools, I worked closely with students, families, and was part of the Leadership Team. My communication skills and HR experience came together when I became the education team leader at Kelly School. I am currently teaching out of district which allows me to run for School Committee.
I treasure being a volunteer youth coach. After volunteering with the HHS field hockey team, I joined the Holyoke Youth Field Hockey program. In 1996, I spearheaded the effort to establish a girls lacrosse program within Holyoke and created a non-profit organization to support youth field hockey and girls lacrosse.
My education, human resources, and coaching experiences have enabled me to work with a wide variety of people and groups. I will apply my knowledge and work for our students, families, educators, and staff. For these reasons, I am running for Ward 7 School Committee.
Lefebvre, At Large: My name is Mildred Lefebvre and I am seeking election to the Holyoke School Committee At-Large seat. I currently serve as the Ward 1 school committeewoman and vice-chair of the Holyoke School Committee. Since 2014, I have served on the School Committee and focused on ensuring equitable education to all students within the district with an emphasis on special education.
Beyond my commitment to improving public education, I am an engaged professional in Western Massachusetts. I have served as a Licensed Practical Nurse for the past 24 years and recently graduated from HCC with an associates in nursing. I currently work as a visiting nurse and as an infection control preventionist. My role as a visiting nurse has been educating clients on disease process and medication management to ensure that they continue to live lives productively in the comfort of their homes. As a mother of children who have struggled with their mental health, I have learned resiliency, perseverance, and grit as I worked to support my children in both their personal and educational needs. I have seen firsthand the years of struggles and barriers placed before them; spending countless hours learning about and advocating for the issues that faced my children. I have taken the commitment that I had for my own children’s success and worked hard to help other families that were struggling. I understand the role of a “mom” in an IEP meeting and have advocated to ensure that the role of the parent is as important and valuable as that of the professional.
Through my personal and professional life experiences, I believe that I can represent and be a voice for our students and families. I humbly ask for your vote on Nov. 2.
Hickey, At Large: Hello my name is Marc Hickey, and I am running for School Committee At Large. I am running for the best reason of all, because I am a parent. I’m also running because we need to bring new approaches to the committee. We can't keep electing the same voices in the echo chamber of Holyoke School Committee and expect different results. We must get out of receivership.
I bring a lot of experience to the table. I am a current member of the Holyoke Hall of Fame (HHOF) committee. While there I have learned a lot about knowing when to talk, when to listen and what battle to fight for.
Aside from the HHOF, I also have experience has a former PTO vice president of my daughter’s school. I've also worked hard with groups like Keep Holyoke Affordable. I have experience staying within a budget. At the end of the day public schools are funded with your tax dollars. Being an involved parent in Crystina’s education for the past six years, I know what is and isn't working in our school system.
Finally, my proudest experience is that of a youth coach. Although my softball team this year didn't amass a lot of victories, we met new friends and learned a lot about the game.
My basketball team I still can't stop beaming about. We started the season losing 40 to two, and not knowing how to inbound a basketball. When the season ended, we were Western Mass. champions! I could not have been prouder of those kids who did not throw in the towel, put in the work, were willing to listen and became champions.
That's what I offer. If elected I will make sure Holyoke's athletics and student athletes of all ages get the funding and respect they deserve.
Questions
Reminder Publishing (RP): If elected, how would you work with the new superintendent/receiver to ensure a smooth transition into a new school year and partnership with the school committee?
Whelihan, Ward 5: I’m looking forward to working with Anthony Soto, the new Receiver/Superintendent, in a collaborative manner to move the Holyoke School District out of receivership. The School Committee should be commended for their efforts in establishing strong working relationships with Mr. Soto and former State Receiver Steven Zrike.
Chesmore, Ward 7: If elected, I hope to encourage more parents to get involved in our schools. I am inspired by the recent appointment of Anthony Soto to the position of superintendent/receiver. Anthony is a product of our school system and I value his experience and unique insight. Together we share a commitment to making our schools better.
Wilson, Ward 7: The school year has begun with the School Committee working closely with Superintendent/Receiver Soto and his team. In order to continue this relationship, I need to be ready to assume the Ward 7 seat.
To do this, I have communicated with the majority of school committee members, our local state education board member, several city councilors, and our state representative to gain insight into the educational issues facing our city. Once the mayoral primary is concluded, I will reach out to the candidates as the mayor is the chair of the School Committee. I will communicate with my ward on a regular basis and respond quickly to concerns. I strongly believe that families need to share their positive experiences in order to celebrate students, teachers, and staff. I will bring all this information back to the committee to keep Mr. Soto apprised of events.
My experience in HR and as an educator has provided me with experience where I can advocate for student and educator needs as well as how to have proper discourse when there is disagreement. Through our consistent communication and open dialogue the School Committee will continue to work closely with Superintendent/Receiver Soto and all constituents.
Lefebvre, At Large: As the current Ward 1 School Committeewoman, it is imperative that the Committee members work collaboratively with the receiver/superintendent. During the past year and a half, everyone across the country has faced many challenges and shifts. Educators had to learn a new way of teaching and students had to learn a new way of learning. We are now at the point of, hopefully, returning to some normalcy. Students are returning back to the classroom and staff are shifting back to full-time, in-person learning. The School Committee is here to provide support and work together with staff and administration to ensure that our schools are safe and that we have the necessary tools/supports for our students to succeed.
Hickey, At Large: In receivership the receiver has sole power. One person one vote. This is why we so desperately need to get out of it. Seven years I attended multiple meetings trying to stop this travesty from happening. Unfortunately, the powers that be at the time were dead set on dooming Holyoke to receivership. It cost many great teachers their jobs and lowered every student's educational experience. However, the tide is turning with more reason to be optimistic. Anthony Soto is now our receiver. Anthony is a Holyoke guy who understands Holyoke problems. I have already worked with Mr. Soto regarding Crystina. He is a very accommodating professional who I see being able to work with very easily.
RP: If elected, what steps do you hope to see the city/schools take throughout your term to aid the district in getting out of receivership?
Whelihan, Ward 5: Although the district’s test scores have increased, more improvement is necessary. I’m concerned that the remote learning our students endured due to the Covid-19 pandemic may have reversed some of this progress. I supported the district’s “in-person” summer school program that recently allowed students to catch up on their studies.
Chesmore, Ward 7: When will receivership end? We all want to know. I hope to foster greater parental participation in our schools. We need to encourage our elected officials to take a more active role in the school committee meetings. Kudos to Mayor Murphy for his continued commitment and involvement.
Wilson, Ward 7: Clear communication by all parties is crucial for Holyoke to gain back control of our school system. While some may say that the School Committee has no “power,” I strongly disagree. Mr. Soto, the School Committee and educators have the same end result in mind, to improve our students’ outcomes which will lead to local authority returning to our school system. The question we have to ask is what changed from when Holyoke was performing well to now. We can all come up with theories but are they accurate?
Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks provide annual learning expectations for each grade and subject. They were created to provide an equitable education but how can Holyoke students meet them when funding is not dispersed fairly across the commonwealth? This fundamental equity issue urgently needs to be addressed and changed.
When the state reviewed our data, we were among the lowest achievement for students with disabilities and English language learners. While budgets cannot legally dictate student services, they often do and students may not receive the necessary service time needed to make effective progress. We also need to provide ample enrichment and advanced courses as well as continue developing high interest courses to our high school students so they remain engaged. Lastly, we cannot overlook the social and emotional needs of our students as these impact our students. These difficulties often leave students unavailable to learning.
Hickey, At Large: I would encourage whoever the new mayor is to attend School Committee meetings. It is a fairly well-kept secret in our city that the mayor is the head of the School Committee. Our last mayor no-showed School Committee meetings for a decade. I think that sent the wrong message to the state and helped to keep us in the position we are in. I would also ask Mr. Soto to give the School Committee a wider berth and respect the committee's decisions so that the state could see the progress we are making. That we are a different committee now and we are serious about taking our schools back.
My term would be for four years. After four years if I have failed to end receivership I would not ask for nor deserve another term. Not giving up, listening and putting in the work will again get us to our goal of returning Holyoke schools to Holyoke control.
Lefebvre, At Large: Although I am not a fan of receivership, I understand that as a city we need to show our support for public education. Education should not be a priority for School Committee members only. It should be a priority for all elected officials. Education is the foundation for the success and growth of any community. In order to get out of receivership, the city needs to show its commitment to equitable education for all our students. There are no clear guidelines or timelines set forth by DESE on how to get out of receivership. The School Committee will meet in December for their annual retreat to develop strategies, guidelines and goals. In January of 2022, we will petition the Commissioner of Education to start the transition process from receivership to local control.
Reminder Publishing reached out to Williams, Birks, Sibdhanny Jr., Feliciano-Sims, Collamore and Whelihan for responses, but had not heard back as of press time.