CHICOPEE – With less than three months until the annual town elections, nine residents have submitted nomination papers for the nine open, two-year ward seats on the Chicopee School Committee.

Timothy Wagner, David Barsalou, Saulo DePaula, Sandra Ann Peret, Grace Schofield, Samuel R. Shumsky, Donald J. Lamothe, Douglas P. Girouard and Ronald J. Benard are the candidates running for the ward positions.

Reminder Publishing reached out to each candidate, asking for a self-written introduction to present to the town. As we move closer to the election, Reminder Publishing will be conducting a question-and-answer interview with each candidate to discuss specific town issues and their viewpoints on each issue.

Timothy Wagner – Ward 1

My name is Tim Wagner, and I’m running to be the School Committee member for Ward 1 in Chicopee. I’m a recent graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive High School. During my senior year, I served as the student representative on the School Committee. Since graduating, I have worked for state Rep. Jacob Oliveira as an intern and preparing to start my first year at Springfield Technical Community College as an IT major. I currently serve as the vice-chairman of the Charter Review Commission and a member of the Historical Commission. Here is my platform and what I will work on if elected this November.

More technology in schools:

Let’s do away with notebooks and textbooks and put a laptop into the hands of every student. We can move our curriculums and programs of study online, and I believe it’s the future of education. Chicopee can lead the way for learning with laptops.

Mandatory financial literacy:

We should be teaching kids proper money management, plain and simple. Establishing credit, debt management, investment, and proper budgeting techniques are things that our students will need to know when entering the workforce. I’ll work towards making this a required part of the high school curriculum.

Stop teaching to a test:

From the very beginning of their education, students prepare to take several standardized tests. The main one being the MCAS exam. What I want to see happen is less emphasis placed on these tests. We have to make students feel comfortable and eager to learn rather than living in fear of failing these tests, which are required to graduate. We’re teaching students that a handful of tests, assignments, and grades will determine their future, which is not the case. We have to recognize that not all students learn the same way and teach accordingly.

David Barsalou – Ward 2

During the last few months, I have received numerous phone calls and email messages from educators who have been afraid to speak out about their working conditions in fear of revenge and retaliation. During the pandemic certain administrators used punitive, and mean-spirited practices in their schools – including both verbal intimidation and threats.

Problems in our schools are repeatedly occurring and not being addressed. More than 50 teachers have resigned so far this year with many citing “a toxic work environment”.

For veteran educators to give up their tenure, seniority, and retirement benefits show that these issues continue to persist. Awarding positions based on nepotism and favoritism - and not experience have also contributed to additional problems and poor morale.

Since March of 2020 the Chicopee Public Schools have been dealing with COVID-19 related issues. This has placed undue stress on parents attempting to figure out what is best for their children… Including the recent mask mandates.

Teachers alternating b­­etween all-remote, in-person, or hybrid model learning, never knowing from day to day when another sudden change might be coming. Educators deserve better. Let’s begin treating them all with the dignity and respect they deserve.

I will continue supporting those who reach out with questions and concerns. It doesn’t matter whether you live in Ward 2. Please contact me.

I am a visual arts educator in the Springfield Public Schools for 36 years. I am an internationally recognized Art Historian and Visual Artist with an Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts in Education and Bachelor in Fine Arts degrees from Hartford Art School of the University of Hartford. I also have a Bachelor of Arts in Art education from Westfield State University.

Saulo DePaula – Ward 3

I’m a Massachusetts native, having grown up in Framingham and Marlborough – with a few years spent in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Throughout the past ten years, I’ve made Western Massachusetts my permanent home, since venturing this way to attend UMass Amherst for an undergraduate degree in Sociology. My passion for higher education administration has kept me at UMass, where I’ve since earned a M.Ed. in Higher Education and am now partway through a Ph.D. in the same area. I also work full-time for UMass, currently as the Director of Analytics and Operations for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

I moved to Chicopee in May 2018 and have since joined the Planning Board and Envision Our Chicopee: 2040 steering committee. I am so excited for the opportunity to represent Ward 3 on the School Committee – I believe I have much to offer but am also ready to learn quite a lot. I believe transparency and accountability are essential for any area of government. I rely on facts, data, and the professional expertise of others to guide my decision-making process, while doing my best to avoid subjectivity.

I’m an adamant supporter of equitable student access to resources, support, opportunities and safety; too often, we see an array of disparities in students’ experiences. Improving the status quo requires us to place greater value in that which we provide students – school staff, classrooms and facilities, technology, and social consciousness, just to name a few. When we prioritize these, students are set up for far greater success. When we invest wisely, we’re bound to see amazing outcomes.

I encourage anyone who has questions to please reach out to me (sjcdepaula@gmail.com). I am fortunate to be the product of the public education system and look forward to giving back however possible!

Grace Schofield – Ward 5

The future of Chicopee is dependent upon the children we are educating today. There are three prominent factors that motivated me to run for Ward 5 School Committee. First, I witnessed the impact of a solid education that my two sons received attending Chicopee Public Schools and how it was instrumental for them to grow into successful citizens. Having been surrounded by excellent educators for over 55 years, I find I am a lifelong learner. Anyone who knows me, will tell you, learning and education are all about who I am. Because education is dynamic and constantly evolving, Chicopee needs someone who is familiar with these changes.

My professional experience makes me an ideal candidate:
• Bachelor of Arts in education from St. Michaels College with a minor in psychology.
• Master of Education in curriculum and technology from Framingham State University.
• 2016 Harold Grinspoon Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient.
• Boston Museum of Science Filmed & Published Model lessons in engineering.
• Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 2012-2018 Science & Technology MCAS Assessment Committee.
• 1994 Massachusetts Science Teacher of the Year.
• 1996 Walmart Teacher of the Year.
• 38 years of teaching K-8.

As your school committee representative, I will focus on the following:
• Extend support for social/emotional learning
• Promote teacher autonomy to instill a sense of community between students within a given school
• Stay current with 21st teaching pedagogy & practices
• Standardized opportunities of instruction and enrichment at all elementary schools

I hope for your consideration on Nov. 2.

Samuel Shumsky – Ward 6

My name is Samuel Shumsky and I have lived in Ward 6 a majority of my life. I’m a product of the Chicopee Public School System where I’m a proud graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive High School. I graduated with an apprenticeship in Machine Tool Technology where I also volunteer as an Advisory Board member.

I’m employed as a machinist/tool and die maker in Chicopee. I’m currently serving as a member of the Planning Board for Chicopee. I’m running for the Ward 6 School Committee seat because I want to continue the great work our school system is doing. We need to work with our administrators and teachers and see what we can do to improve our numbers, so that our students are receiving the best possible education.

I would love to work on expanding the Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in the Chicopee School System to include trades like plumbing and HVAC. These additional career tracks will help career minded students enter the workforce prepared and highly qualified. According to the Massachusetts Industry-Occupation Employment Projection Matrix for 2018-2028, the annual yearly openings for jobs in the plumbing industry was 1,743 with a median salary is $70,320. HVAC job openings average roughly 969 per year with a median salary is $59,890. These are jobs that require no college degree and graduates of these programs will potentially have high paying jobs right after graduation. It is my sincere hope that these ideas along with ideas shared by my new colleagues will continue to prepare our students for the next steps in their lives post-graduation. I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Donald J. Lamothe – Ward 7

I have lived in Chicopee for nearly my whole life and in Ward 7 for the last 40 years. I am a Chicopee Comprehensive graduate who was married 42 years ago and educated my three sons here. I have degrees in business administration from Holyoke Community College and management from Westfield State College.

For 33 years, I was employed at Hamilton Sundstrand in experimental testing as safety coordinator and engineering lab manager. I was employed for six years as a senior Facilities manager for UMass. For nearly 40 years, I dealt with union and non-union personnel, budgets, contracts, security, safety, energy management, facilities, project planning, maintenance and deadlines on a daily basis.  My education and work experience give me a different perspective than many school committee members. My private sector work has taught me that a truly successful project is one completed correctly, in as cost-effective manner as possible, and that because “it’s always been that way” doesn’t mean it still is the best way.

My goals for this term are to begin the plan to replace Barry school, and redistrict boundary lines for elementary schools.  Barry has many repair issues that are way past due. It still has original windows. It is a multi-level building with minimal handicap accessibility, and only adequate ventilation. It is due for paving in the parking lot. It has no air conditioning, and with the design of the building, and some asbestos still deep in the structure, any major repairs will be painfully expensive. I would also like to finally get redistricting completed so school children are not getting on a bus in front of one school, to be bussed every day to another.     

I would like to thank all of you who have trusted me to make good decisions with the education of the greatest asset our city has, our children.

Douglas P. Girouard – Ward 8

Hi, my name is Douglas P Girouard. I have two amazing children Ashley Irene Girouard and Jacob Hunter Girouard. Ashley is a nursing student at Elms College and Jake will be attending STCC in the fall.

The reason I am on the School Committee and will be serving Ward 8 in November is pretty simple. I am the former owner of Doogan’s Deli in Chicopee. As you may know the restaurant industry is all about quality and service.

I have provided quality service to my customers for 26 years. Although I still am involved running the food and beverage at Chicopee country club due to a leg injury, I still want to provide service to people. I grew up in the Aldenville section of Chicopee and I have been here my entire life. I am now 48 years old. I enjoy helping residents when they feel like they are at a standstill regarding school. Being of assistance to the residence as a service I enjoy providing to them.

I have been on the board of directors for the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club I served as a park and rec commissioner for the city of Chicopee for 10 years and I love the community and the people in it.

I believe the Chicopee school system is in great hands with our superintendent and her team. I feel we have some amazing teachers who teach for the right reasons the love of the children. Scott Chapdelain, our director of maintenance, is one of the hardest working guys I know. Although our school buildings are older, he has done a terrific job keeping them safe for our students.

The people that know me know I love the city and care about it very much it is my goal to be serving the residence of Chicopee for many years to come.

Ronald J. Benard – Ward 9

I am a voice of Ward 9 constituents and all constituents of the city of Chicopee. I worked as social studies teacher – teaching how governments, city, state and federal work. I am a lifelong Chicopee resident, married with 2 children both educated in the Chicopee Public Schools system. I’m an advocate for public education in Chicopee.

I graduated from Chicopee Comprehensive High School. Here’s my experiences in education:
• Degree in accounting.
• Undergraduate degree in elementary education with minor in history.
• Master’s degree in education.
• Master’s degree in school administration.
• Chicopee Public School employee for 25 years.
• School .aintenance Department, fice years.
• Teacher, Bowie Elementary School, two years
• Teacher, Fairview Middle School, 13 years
• Teacher, Dupont Middle School, five years
• Coach, Chicopee Comprehensive boys basketball, girls softball and girls basketball.
• PTO president, Bowie Elementary, fuve years.
    Here’s my work with community organizations:
• 38 years with youth athletics.
• Knights of Columbus.
• Mass Hoops Jaguar AAU basketball coach.
• Chicopee suburban baseball and basketball coach.
• Member, Moose Lodge, Chicopee.
• Member, Knights of Columbus #4044.
• Member, PV8 Chapter of North American Family Campers Association.

Reminder Publishing reached out to Ward 4 candidate Sandra Ann Peret but did not receive a response by press time.