EAST LONGMEADOW –  Following the May 1 preliminary election, School Committee candidates Sarah Truoiolo and Susan Mantoni are moving forward to the Town’s annual general election on June 5.

Both Mantoni and Truoiolo conducted a five to six minute video with ELCAT discussing their decisions to run for School Committee as well as their visions for the future. The videos are available for viewing on ELCAT’s YouTube page.

Mantoni shared that she’s a life-long resident of East Longmeadow. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Spanish from Western New England College, now known as Western New England University.

Following her time as a private investigator, Mantoni then transitioned into the insurance industry as a Senior Claims Examiner for individual disability income policyholders. Currently, she is working part-time as a tax preparer and bookkeeper.

Currently, she and her husband David are raising three children in town and are putting them through the East Longmeadow Public Schools.

“Over the past nine years I have participated in Meadow Brook, Mountain View and Birchland Park Middle School’s PTO’s in various capacities, which included numerous terms as president,” Mantoni said. In addition, she has been a member of the School Council at Mountain View and Birchland Park schools over the last three years.

She shared that her children are avid soccer and basketball players and they enjoy traveling to games as a family.

Over the course of her campaign, Mantoni stated that she’s attended all School Committee meetings but one since January 1st, and that she’s made an effort to meet with various school principals from the district as well as department heads. Additionally, she noted that students of various ages have approached her with their own concerns.

“It is important for the students to have a level of comfort with someone who they can express their concerns with as they are the ones who attend the schools on a daily basis. Their perspectives are invaluable, and I’m honored that they feel compelled to share their thoughts with me as I have a familiar face to them,” Mantoni said.

To watch ELCAT’s full video with Mantoni, go to https://youtu.be/-Hs0jdc7wzc.

Truoiolo took her opportunity to chat with ELCAT to share her knowledge and experiences related to public education, as well as the key priorities she’s focused on as a candidate.

Truoiolo is a life-long Western Massachusetts resident. She attended Smith College and majored in Education and Child Study.  She graduated Cum Laude, and went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania where she received her Masters in Education.          

In the fall of 2005 Truoiolo began to work for the Springfield Public School system.  She began as a second grade teacher and seven years later transitioned to becoming a Math Instructional Leadership Specialist.  In 2014, she started her current position as the Supervisor of Mathematics for the Springfield Public School system. Presently, she oversees 60 Springfield schools by supervising curriculums, instruction, assessment and professional development.

Truoiolo’s husband, Tony, is a lifelong East Longmeadow resident. In 2009, the newly married couple purchased their first home in East Longmeadow. “We saw East Longmeadow as the perfect fit for raising our family,” Truoiolo said. The couple has two children who are going to be going through the East Longmeadow Public School system.

“Their education and the education of the children in this town matters deeply to me, and is one of the sparks that fueled my desire to pursue this seat,”  Truoiolo said.

Since her move to East Longmeadow, Truoiolo states that she has become involved in various activities that support Meadow Brook Elementary School, and the recreation department.

“While East Longmeadow schools have laid a solid foundation for our students, I plan to expand upon that by working with a collaborative fashion with the members of the School Committee to ensure that our students are not just ready for a college career and civic responsibility, but that they will thrive in their post-high school lives,” Truoiolo said.

To watch ELCAT’s full video with Truoiolo, go to https://youtu.be/xK98Ogunmw0.