Seven candidates vying for spot on school committee

Oct. 29, 2019 | Danielle Eaton
DanielleE@thereminder.com

AGAWAM – On Nov. 5 voters in Agawam will head to the polls to vote for city council and school committee. Mayor William Sapelli is also up for reelection, but does not have an opponent.

Reminder Publishing reached out to each of the seven candidates for school committee and asked them two questions. The first question to each candidate was “What do you think the biggest issues before the school committee are right now, and how do you plan to address them?”

The second question was not really a question at all, but gave each candidate 250 words to explain to voters who they are, what they stand for, and why residents should consider electing them to the school committee. Of the seven candidates, six are seeking reelection to the Agawam School Committee.

Their responses, in no particular order, are as follows.

Anthony Bonavita

1. We must continue to support safety in our schools for our students and staff. I co-sponsored a resolution, which was passed to create a safety subcommittee of the school committee which will be updated on progress and discuss safety issues.

Also, renovation of the science wing of the high school is on my list. Teachers in that field I am told are doing a great job by trying to use technology, but the rehab is necessary. Funding assistance to the town from state and also grants. Cost to be determined by bids.

2. I am proud to serve as chair of the Budget/Finance Subcommittee so we can build a budget and look ahead to the future.

I also was proud to have co-sponsored a resolution for a Safety Committee of the School Committee, so we can be kept up to date as to the safety issues we face and new ones that could be on the horizon.

I am an attorney, a graduate of Fordham University and Suffolk University Law School where I achieved a Juris Doctorate Degree. My wife Adele and I have three grandchildren, Teddy and Liliana Bonavita and Quintin Adamski. Both of our children Carlo and Franca graduated from Agawam High School and moved on to successful careers.

 An example of a few things that I think we must constantly look ahead to:

  • Ways to keep our schools as safe as possible.
  • Make sure our budget is fiscally responsible.
  • Consider options to rehabilitate high school science wing.
  • Consider the position of a grant writer.

In closing, I enjoy working with the superintendent, mayor, administration, council and other school committee members who all work in concert together. We live in a society that changes quickly and we must look forward to be a step ahead for our teachers and students. Working together is key.

Tracy Wilkie

1. The highest priorities at this time is to take care of the ECC. Moving our preschoolers into our four elementary schools and redistricting so that all of the elementary schools are balanced. The school’ administration along with the school committee are beginning this process. We have to be sure that all of our students have an adequate space that is conducive to all their learning needs. It will be a big job, but I have the utmost confidence that all involved will put in the time and effort to make this a smooth transition for our students and educators.

I also feel one of the highest priorities is the science wing in our high school, the existing wing is very outdated and doesn't meet the needs of our students today so they are competitive in this ever-changing world. The funding is the responsibility of the city council and school administration, but I would fully support an initiative to update the science wing at our high school.

2. Agawam is fortunate to have outstanding candidates for school committee. I am still a new member and I believe I bring new ideas and energy. I have volunteered in the Agawam public schools for 22 years. I have a passion for our children and they come first and foremost. Politics is a distant second to our responsibility to our children. One thing I bring that is unique is all of the programs I sponsor through Shane Foundation.

These educational programs have connected our community with the sheriff's department and district attorney's offices. Many of the Agawam residents and students have attended these presentations. A few examples are the presentation by Chris Herren, Dr. Potee, and No First Time. So I am asking for your vote on Nov. 5.

Carmino Mineo

1. In the short term, the biggest issue is in regards to our preschool and early childhood programs. In September, the School Committee unanimously voted to integrate our preschool/early childhood center to our existing four elementary schools. This decision comes with the need to redistrict and we need to be prepared for the attached issues of this decision. Increased costs, infrastructure renovations, and transportation changes will all need to be addressed in order to provide the best learning environment for our students.

In the long term, the greatest capital need for our schools is in the form of renovations/upgrades. Our newest school is now over 40-years-old and as these buildings continue to age this becomes problematic. Specifically at our high school our science wing is in need of renovations. Taking advantage of any grants that exist or MSBA funding will hopefully fund these improvements.

2. I’m Carmino Mineo, and I am pursuing reelection to the Agawam School Committee. As an Agawam High School alumnus from 2005 I continued to pursue a Bachelors in Management from UMass Dartmouth followed by an MBA from UMass Amherst. Currently I work for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

I am seeking reelection in order to ensure that students have access to the same high quality education that I received when I attended the Agawam Public School System. I have witnessed firsthand how education opens doors and I am committed to making sure that all stakeholders, including parents, teachers and students, have all the necessary resources in order to obtain a high quality educational experience.

I serve on various subcommittees including the Budget and Finance Committee, vice chair of the Board of Directors at the L.P.V.E.C, as well as being the chair of the Technology Committee. I am proud of the work that the Agawam School Committee has achieved.

Just in this last term as a district we have increased safety through additional security cameras, entry key fobs, vape detectors, and ALICE training for staff. We have also launched our Innovation Pathways Program at the high school and added Lead Teachers to the elementary level to increase academic, social and emotional support. With the school’s budget taking a large portion of the town’s operating budget, it is important to be fiscally responsible.

I am fully invested in Agawam’s future and I am asking for your vote on Nov. 5.

Wendy Rua

1. Our enrollment has decreased as the census has declined, but the social emotional needs of our students have steadily increased and placed a demand on services that are needed in our schools. While we are doing a good job coming together as a community to take a look and respond to the needs of our students, we need to remember that the needs of our teachers are more complex than ever before and that they need our support, increased resources and attention.

Additionally, our buildings are in dire need of updates and it is time that we stop putting band-aids and cosmetic updates to this problem, but actually invest in building changes that show our teachers and students that we commit to physical spaces that promote health, learning and offer pathways to supporting the technological and learning needs of today’s students.

And of course, the biggest issue that the next committee will be participating in, is the task of redistricting our elementary schools.

This is a process that will require transparency, community voices being heard and teachers (the experts) sitting at the table as this process evolves.

Our youngest learners will be brought in to our existing elementary schools and neighborhood PreK-4 schools will result. There were cuts forced on the APS budget last year and being fiscally responsible is important, but so is maintaining a school system that increases student growth and opportunity for the next generation and brings ne families to our beloved community.

 Let’s keep Agawam great; understanding that this takes transparency, communication and support for budgetary needs.

2. I support public education! I support giving teachers the tools to do what they do best, teach! That is why I have strongly advocated for less mandates, less testing, increased safety, increased wellness and improved physical conditions in our schools.

As a parent of three children who attend school in the district, Christian (11th grade), Gabriel (8th grade) and Timothy (6th grade), I am dedicated and involved, active both as a parent and a committee member.

Proud graduate of the AHS class of 1990, my investment in this community is strong and goes back three generations (my grandmother was a cafeteria worker, my mom was an elementary school teacher). Agawam is fortunate to have resources to offer strong programs in technology, career development, music, athletics, and multiple AP choices.

But we need some changes that will take communication and dedication… and your voices matter! I will listen and work hard. I respectfully ask for your vote on Nov. 5! I’ve been honored to be a voice for the community and look forward to continuing to speak up! Thank you.

Kerri O’Connor

1. I believe that the biggest issues before the school committee is the integration of the pre-k into our four elementary schools. The school committee took a vote to take Robinson Elementary ECC proposal from the School Administration off the table and to initiate planning phases for pre-k through grade four within our four elementary schools.

I am in favor of early childhood and strongly believe that within the early developmental stages, ages three and four are crucial developmental years. There will be additional costs to the what the administration will be proposing to the school committee regarding ensuring that our pre-k students needs will be met.

There will be a steering committee developed for additional support regarding ideas of this planning process. I also believe that we need more supports for our student population regarding the increase of students who struggle with social and emotional needs. The city council cut our budget in the amount of $250,000 due to concerns of budget increase proposals on a yearly basis, however, the social and emotional needs of our students continue to rise.

We were able to cover the costs of the budget cut through other areas including a grant that the district received so there would be no impact regarding our teacher salaries. However, we need to consider for future budget planning that there is always a possibility of the proposed school budget being cut by the city council.

I would advocate for a grant writer to be able to research and write grants to enhance financial funding for school needs. At this time, the assistant superintendent and special education director are responsible for overseeing our grants. If there was a grant writer within the district, then our assistant superintendent can focus more on how to improve the school district’s curriculums as well as mandated MCAS testing by the state, which would improve our statistics regarding our student MCAS results.

There is currently an interim special education director at this time and the special education director position remains open. We need to hire a highly qualified special education director to improve our programming and assess the areas of strengths and weakness within our special education department so students can make effective progress.

I also believe our science wing at the Agawam High School as well as the Agawam High School physical environment needs updating, which has been historical over a period of years that updating is crucial in order for our students to have an enhanced physical learning environment.

2. I am a proud parent of a son who attends Agawam Public schools. I also graduated from Agawam High School in 1995 and joined the United States Navy. I was stationed overseas for three years and have traveled to several countries to ensure the safety of the American people. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice and a Master’s in psychology.

I have extensive work history and knowledge in the areas of juvenile justice, behavioral health and consulting in school districts regarding student and family access to resources. I am also a member of the Agawam Veteran’s Council. I am very involved in the Agawam school department regarding attending various school activities as well as I sit on various sub-committees through the school committee.

I strongly believe that what is lacking within the school district is advocacy to our state legislators regarding funding issues, which is an issue across many school districts. I strongly believe in inclusive practices and ensuring that all students are receiving a free and appropriate education.

If elected, I will continue to advocate for a grant writer and continue to listen to the public’s concerns as well as informing the public regarding any strengths and weaknesses that may be discussed within the public. If elected, I will be our voice and based on my years of direct experience and knowledge, I strongly believe that I would be the best candidate to continue to serve on the Agawam School Committee.

Shelley Borgatti-Reed

1. The biggest issue facing the school committee right now is our Early Childhood Center and redistricting of our students. I have served on the Facility Needs Committee since 2008. For the past 10 years, we have been discussing what to do with our Early Childhood facility as it is severely overcrowded and does not meet the needs of our many students.

After reviewing the options, we voted to incorporate the Early Childhood children into our four elementary schools. This plan seems like the most cost-effective and less disruptive. Although no one likes change we needed to come up with a solution for our students.

In addition, there is an imbalance in the number of children in our elementary schools; therefore, we will also have to do some redistricting to correct the problem. The plans are in the very early stages and there is much more work to do. We will work collaboratively with Mr. Lemanski and his staff to address this situation in the best interest of the children.

2. I am running for reelection to the Agawam School Committee for a seventh term. I am a life-long resident of Agawam, graduating from Agawam High School in 1978. I attended Holyoke Community College earning an Associate’s Degree in legal secretarial science and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in organizational management from Ashford University. I have worked for the Department of Defense for 38 years. I served as a board member on the Conn. Federal Executive Association and Combined Federal Campaign. I also served on the Board of Directors for the East Hartford Federal Credit Union.

I love serving on the school committee and am very passionate about it. I serve on many sub committees such as well as the Board of Directors for the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative. I am proud to say during my tenure, I have never missed a school committee meeting. I have been an advocate for both students and parents, addressing their concerns and encouraging communication with school administration.

I have a daughter who attends the Agawam High School; and a son who is a 2015 graduate from Agawam High School and a graduate from Worcester State University. My volunteer work includes Parent Teacher Organizations, Agawam High School Cheerleading/Football programs, Sacred Hh, Granger School, and Agawam Youth Cheerleading. By continuing to serve on the Agawam School Committee, I hope to lead us in a direction that will enable our schools to improve for all the children, teachers and parents of Agawam.

Dawn Dube

1. The biggest issue right now that the school committee is dealing with is the Early Childhood Center situation. Currently, the building being used to house the Early Childhood Center on Perry Lane is over crowded and a new site is needed. This is not a new situation as the school committee and the town have been working together to come up with a plan for the past eight or so years.

The options presented have both pros and cons and the families of Agawam are very passionate about their little learners. I do know the current school committee members and city council are working towards what is the best option at this point.

2. I am Dawn Dube, a first-time candidate.

I grew up in Hampden, graduating from Minnechaug High School (1998) and earned my Early Childhood Degree (1991) from Holyoke Community College, and my Director 2 license while working as Assistant Director at School Start Preschool in Agawam.

My two children completed their schooling in the Agawam school system. I credit the Agawam for the academic support given to them. My daughter, Madison, attends AIC. My son, Matthew, received his HVAC certification from STCC and is currently employed in his trade.

Investing in, and giving back to, my community is very important. Volunteering for the Sacred Heart Softball Association, Agawam Little League Board of Directors, Youth Wrestling, Field Hockey Coach, and continuing to co-run the Agawam Youth Football Association, and serve on the Suburban Amateur Football League Board of Directors. I have been a contributing member of many booster clubs at the high school. I volunteer for Wreaths Across America, and am very proud of being a part of opening the Autism Resource Center at the Agawam Public Library.

I will work hard to “get back to basics.” I want to see the school system continue to improve, helping to set all our children up for success whether they choose college, the military, trade school, or the workforce. All students deserve the dedicated time from individuals who will help them succeed. I feel we need to get our schools back to teaching basics in order to ensure success.

I have a “New Voice, New Vision.” Thank you for your consideration!

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