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Date: 10/7/2021
HOLYOKE – Recently, Reminder Publishing reached out to candidates vying for a seat on the School Committee during the Nov. 2 municipal election.
Candidates were invited to answer a series of questions related to city-specific issues. Previously, the first of two parts of candidate responses were printed. The following responses are the second and final candidate responses. 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:
Reminder Publishing (RP): Are you in favor of the city building a new middle school? Why or why not?
Whelihan, Ward 5: I presently support the construction of one new middle school in Holyoke. While other communities are investing in their school facilities, Holyoke has not built a new school in over 35 years. I am encouraged that Mayor Murphy is creating a new building committee that will encompass a wide range of local residents such as parents, property owners and business leaders. As a member of the Joint Committee of the City Council & School Committee, I’ve been ensured that the city can bond for a new middle school within the current municipal budget parameters, thus making a tax override unnecessary.
Chesmore, Ward 7: I can’t answer with great confidence if we need a new middle school. I haven’t toured the facility nor read any reports about its current condition. However, I do know that the voters in Holyoke overwhelmingly rejected a tax override to pay for a new school. Can we improve the current facility within our fiscal means? What other resources of funding are available to make necessary improvements? I will be open to suggestions and discussions.
Wilson, Ward 7: Holyoke children and educators deserve a new middle school. I was fortunate to attend John J. Lynch School before moving onto Holyoke High and strongly believe in the middle school model. During my time at Donahue and then Kelly School, I witnessed how challenging it is for preschool to 8th grade students to coexist in the same school. The best way I can depict the challenge is during class transitions. Preschool/elementary students require more structure and are expected to be quiet in the hallway. Middle schoolers need to socialize and become more independent; a great way to do this is during class transitions. A middle school allows for appropriate developmental needs to be met for both elementary and middle school students. The supplementary classes at Lynch engaged me as a learner. We learned basic sewing, cooking, woodworking skills and more. These courses led to many students identifying with hands-on learning and opted to further their education at Dean. It would be helpful if Holyoke could have these complementary education courses return. My experience of attending Lynch before heading to high school prepared me for classes in a larger school setting, provided me a setting to develop greater independence, and facilitated the development of life-long friendships. I believe the same growth opportunity should be offered to our current middle school students.
Lefebvre, At Large: I am in favor of building a new middle school. Recently, Springfield opened its doors to the new Brightwood Elementary School. Surrounding communities are investing in their schools, while Holyoke continues to put it on the back burner. Our city and our students deserve a state-of-the-art learning environment. The last time we invested in a new school was in the 80’s, so it is way overdue. Our middle-school students deserve an age-appropriate, welcoming and safe learning environment.
Hickey, At Large: I would not entirely be opposed to a new school if and only if the state gave us a deal where we would only pay 10 percent of the cost. Unlike two years ago where Holyoke taxpayers would have had to put in at the very least 43 percent of the cost. The current School Committee seems to be tone deaf to the will of the voters. Holyoke voters knew the wishes of the School Committee and would have loved to have the school project but looked into their wallet and realized it wasn't financially possible. An overwhelming 65 percent of the voters rejected this proposal, why are they being ignored? Holyoke's homeowners and renters are already overburdened with taxes that never seem to stop coming. If I am elected the taxpayers of Holyoke will be recognized on [the] School Committee not ignored. What I said two years ago still applies perfectly. Holyoke does not need new schools. Holyoke needs better schools!
RP: What is your stance on Critical Race Theory (CRT), do you think it would be beneficial for a district such as Holyoke? Why or why not?
Whelihan/Ward 5: I support the district’s ethnic studies program that expands and develops our student’s critical thinking skills. A 2016 study by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) stated that 82 percent of our nation’s colleges/universities have left a foundation course in US Government or History as an optional requirement for graduation. If this trend continues, studying US History in high school will become even more important. However, along with teaching our students standard US History, mistakes made by our nation’s leaders should also be examined. Uncomfortable topics such as slavery, the failure of reconstruction after the Civil War, the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands and the internment of Japanese Americans’ during the Second World War should also be discussed in our schools. Philosopher George Santayana stated, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Chesmore, Ward 7: I am an optimist. I believe we can do better as a society as long as we have the will to facilitate the necessary changes required. We are all students of history; we have so much to learn from the lessons of the past. We live in the greatest nation in the world, one founded in liberty and guided by the rule of law. We have been a beacon of freedom to the rest of the world since our inception. No other country fought a civil war to end the tyranny of slavery. Our history represents that we as a people are committed to correcting mistakes in our past. Our Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal, we fought a civil war to make that phrase apply to people of color. It took the suffrage movement to give women the right to vote and civil rights movement of the 1960’s to end Jim Crowe and segregation. I don’t believe America, as a whole, is a racist country (if it was, why are so many people from around the world risking so much to come here?). America is the land of opportunity. That’s why people are risking their lives and fortunes to come here. I share the hope of Martin Luther King Jr. that our children will be judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin. I believe in equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome. While our history has many examples of oppression and discrimination, it also teaches our commitment to righting these injustices. We are better served as a society teaching the value of hard work, rather than the victimization of societal oppression.
Wilson, Ward 7: Simply put, our country’s history affects the present. Race, as well as gender, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation, are current factors. Policies and rules can be subtly biased and once that bias is revealed, it is our job to do better. Our state school funding model is one example of disparity which results in underfunding Holyoke schools. It is our responsibility to do something about how racism can impact students’ education. As a first step, we need to continuously look at our school systems, practices, and policies that contribute to inequalities. Only then can we advocate for and implement necessary improvements. Texts and supplemental material should be continuously reviewed to ensure that we are selecting materials with which all our students and families can identify. It is not about diminishing one group but allowing all groups to shine equally. Our country was founded on progress and change. We have not outgrown our need to discuss bias, privilege, and discrimination in order to continue to develop as a society that values all members.
Lefebvre, At Large: I believe that it is beneficial to teach our students about how laws and policies that were enacted negatively impacted people of color. It is important to have those tough conversations regarding racism and institutional racism both amongst students and staff. I fully support the steps our district has taken in addressing cultural competence, social justice and ethnic studies.
Hickey, At Large: I am deeply opposed to Critical Race Theory. I have been an opponent of CRT from its first creation. CRT has no merits at all. The only thing it will accomplish is to divide races for generations to come. Holyoke is such a beautifully blended city. The question of race never comes to mind unless someone is seeking it. I would loudly denounce CRT and the new age segregation it will bring. Assigning people blame for what their ancestors did centuries ago is as foolish as punishing your pet for the carpet stain left by the previous owner's dog. I cannot think of a more sinister policy that does not belong in Holyoke's school system nor anyone's school system. I am encouraging all readers to look up the dangers of CRT for themselves to see how destructive this actually is. I spoke of picking your battles before. Fighting against CRT would definitely qualify. This is the kind of everyday leadership and common sense I would bring to Holyoke's School Committee.
Reminder Publishing reached out to Williams, Birks, Sibdhanny Jr., Feliciano-Sims, Collamore and Whelihan for responses, but had not heard back at the time of press.