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| By Natasha Clark Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW Paul Santaniello was recently appointed to the Longmeadow School Committee. The seat opened after former committee member Laura Bertelli resigned in January. Santaniello has long made known his desire to be a part of the seven member board. A member of the Finance Committee, Santaniello has attended numerous School Committee meetings throughout 2004. At most meetings during public comment Santaniello asked questions, offered his opinion, or brought news about the Parent Advisory Council (PAC). In 2004 when former Committee member Michael McCabe resigned, Santaniello applied for that open seat. Competing against fellow Finance Committee member Jim Nittoli, both went through an interview process with the School Committee and the Select Board, and Nittoli won the seat. Last month, Santaniello ran for one of three open School Committee seats for the Annual Town Elections. Santaniello didn't win a seat even though he garnered 2,400 votes. Still, he went ahead and applied for the open seat left by Bertelli's resignation and on June 6 went through the process, again, of being interviewed by the School Committee and Select Board. Four people applied for the position, but only Santaniello and Deborah Haus Wilson made it to the interview. At the beginning of the Select Board meeting, where the interview took place, Finance Committee member Gerry Nolet spoke in support of Santaniello adding that he could be "counted on to do his work." After the interviews took place, the School Committee still had to wait a week, due to bylaw mandates, before they could appoint the position. In the end, their choice was Santaniello. "Being on a committee gives you a better understanding of what's going on," Santaniello told Reminder Publications a few days after his official appointment. "[While I'm on the committee], instead of being reactive, I hope to be part of a solution. My goal is to contribute in the best way I can." With a solid background in finance Santaniello is not only a member of the Finance Committee, but earns a living as Vice-President of Investments/Financial Advisor for Bank of America he said he hopes he can "bring something with me that helps." "I'm a financial advisor. I like to look at short and long-term things," said Santaniello. Santaniello said he thinks the School Committee is on the right track now. "The School Committee is trying their best to get where the Abrams report said [they should be going towards]. They're more willing to work with town boards. The School Committee was isolated to a degree and that is changing," Santaniello explained. A father of three, Santaniello said he likes being involved in the town, and also keeps himself busy by coaching local sports and being a part of school councils. He said he wants to "help the schools as much as possible." "I'm happy to be on [the School Committee], and I'm going to do my best to represent the people of Longmeadow on the School Committee. That the schools move forward, that's my goal," Santaniello added. |