LONGMEADOW – Superintendent M. Martin O'Shea introduced the new principal of Wolf Swamp Road School, Mr. Jared Materas at the May 25 School Committee meeting. Materas will assume the Wolf Swamp principalship starting July 1.

O'Shea stated, “We put Jared through his paces. There were a few rounds of in-person interviews. We invited Jared to the school for a day where he met some of the staff, parents and students. We all feel very great about the appointment and look forward to working with him. We welcome Jared to Longmeadow and can't wait to get started with him.”

Materas responded, “It’s great to meet everyone. I look forward to getting to work with all of you and looking forward to really working with the community and all of the members.”

Materas started his career in education as a paraprofessional. Then he moved up to be a physical education teacher in Springfield.       

Materas became the Dean of Students at Egremont Elementary School in Pittsfield for a year and later became the principal at that school for five years.

“I’m really excited,” Materas said. “I’m really honored to have this opportunity and to be a part of the Longmeadow and Wolf Swamp community and really serving the children the best that I can. I’m excited to get started July 1.”

The meeting continued with updates on health and safety guidance from Andrew Fraser, the town COVID-19 compliance officer and Public Health Contacting Assistant Jennifer Siegel. As of May 13, Siegel reported the age group of 0-19 comprised of eight percent of that population was fully vaccinated. Approximately 46 percent of the 20-29 age bracket was fully vaccinated. The 30-49 age group came in at 51 percent, the 50-64 age bracket was at 60 percent and the 60-74 age bracket was at 79 percent. For ages 75 and up, 81 percent of people were fully vaccinated. As a whole, the town is just above 50 percent vaccinated, which Siegel said is “fantastic.” Siegel informed the committee that Longmeadow is in the gray. At the time of the meeting, no one in the school system that was positive for COVID-19 and only two residents in the entire town were positive.

The committee went on to approve a series of policies as well as the use of Federal Stimulus Funds to establish one middle school position beyond what was previously authorized as recommended by the superintendent and administrative team. Additionally, they approved eliminating the fee for student parking at Longmeadow High School.