WEST SPRINGFIELD – A contested race for the School Committee will take place on Nov. 2. There are eight candidates competing for five seats. Candidates are incumbents Kathleen A. Alevras, Nancy M. Farrell, William P. Garvey, Colleen Marcus and challengers Diana Coyne, Robert M. Mancini, Antonio R. Sorcinelli and Kira Thompson.

In advance of the election, in an effort to inform voters, Reminder Publishing asked all candidates the same series of questions on their candidacies and visions for West Springfield schools. Below are their responses, organized in alphabetical order by last name:

Reminder Publishing (RP) Why have you decided to run for School Committee/re-election?

Coyne: I am a proud, lifelong West Springfield resident and attended the public schools. My children have spent their entire schooling in our public schools. I have always cared deeply about my children’s education, and after speaking with many people throughout West Springfield, it was abundantly clear just how much everyone cares about their children’s education too. We all want the best education possible, which I want to help ensure we are providing, especially with the struggles of the past year and a half. Even with all that we’ve been through, there is a lot to celebrate about our schools. I am ready to work collaboratively and positively on behalf of West Springfield.

Farrell: There have been many challenging times during the last 18 months for School Committee members due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have worked hard to make my decisions based on what is best for students. I would like to continue my work along with my fellow committee members to do what is best for our students and community. My background is in education and I want to continue to give back to my community. I have found great joy when our community has come together to achieve a common goal – whether it was building the beautiful new high school or embarking on the Coburn school project. There has been no greater pride than being part of these important efforts to improve the quality of our public schools. Over the past 18 years on the School Committee, I’ve seen the successes that we can have when we work together for the betterment of the students. That is what I hope to do as I seek re-election. I will work with my fellow School Committee members to advocate for additional funding. Over the next two years, I will work every day to ensure the highest academic achievements are possible for all of our children.

Garvey: I seek re-election for the same reasons I decided to run initially, to work toward improving public education in our community. I believe that strong public education for all students regardless of their address is what leads to a strong democracy.

Mancini: I decided to run for School Committee after watching my daughter’s and son’s experience during COVID-19. I have previously been involved in coaching children’s sports for 25 plus years and want to give back in a different way. During the six years on the City Council, I had the opportunity to interact with the schools but had no direct impact.

Marcus: It has truly been an honor to have had the opportunity to serve the students and families of the West Springfield community for the past four years as a member of the WS School Committee. Although these past 18 months have been difficult ones for our students, families and the community, I know that the School Committee kept the best interest of the students, families and staff of the WS school community at the forefront of every difficult decision that was made. As a life-long educator, a parent of three successful WS graduates, and a grandparent of three current WS students with two more to come, I am passionate about ensuring that every child learns in a safe, inclusive and equitable learning environment that fosters their potential. In addition to my work on the School Committee, I have 27 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in the West Springfield School District, and currently work part-time for the Statewide System of Supports, supporting underperforming schools and districts. I have decided to run for re-election because I know firsthand how critical it is for the schools, families and the community to work together for the common goal of providing the best possible education for our children.

Sorcinelli: Over the past year I’ve seen how often what is best for our kids is different than what is best for the teachers’ union. Everyone on our present School Committee has sided with the teachers’ union with their voting on issues like reopening schools, mandating masks and declaring West Springfield systemically racist. I don’t agree with them on those issues and when I’m on the School Committee I will put the children’s interests first.

Thompson: After almost six years of advocating for our kids in front of School Committee meetings, Town Council and many (many) emails, I believe the next logical step to make sure parents have a voice is to run for School committee.

RP: What issues have you seen within the school district that you wish to address?

Coyne: West Side has a diverse set of students which requires ensuring a diverse set of social, emotional, and educational supports to make sure all students can thrive. The student body of West Springfield Public Schools represents 51 countries, as well as 60 percent of students with a variety of educational support needs. Continued focus on equitable outcomes for all students is critical. Let’s emphasize all pathways and build skills for success after high school, whether that is college, the trades, the military, or going straight into the workforce. This focus is good for West Side and beyond.

Farrell: Due to the pandemic, there is a need to address social-emotional, behavioral and academic needs of our students. I will work collaboratively with other School Committee members to make decisions to address these issues. The School Committee is working to address the facilities needs in our community. The School Committee needs to work with state legislatures, the mayor and Town Council to increase funding for our schools.

Garvey: We have myriad issues to address, but I say that knowing that these issues are continually being addressed by the district, as WSPS practices a growth mindset. We have been and will continue to learn and respond to a worldwide pandemic which sadly put many typical educational issues to the back burner. Ensuring the social and emotional needs of our students are being met is presently foremost in my opinion. This, like many other issues including, strong academics, funding, equity, and facilities, which were all being addressed prior to the pandemic, have become even more critical now. There have been and will remain to be many positive things taking place in West Springfield Public Schools. The new Coburn School, the additional programs and opportunities that the Student Opportunity Act will afford our students, as well as the day-to-day efforts of our amazing faculty, staff, and administration, are all things that have been clouded over by the pandemic, but have been happening regardless.

Mancini: The biggest issue in the school district is how do we provide a quality education for our young people in our new reality. Remote learning works for some but for the majority it was a lost year plus. We must continue to invest in ways to allow our students to attend classes in person. If COVID-19 forces us to be remote, we have to offer more alternatives, Remote, hybrid and in-person for those who need this type of education.

Marcus: As a School Committee, we need to continue to prioritize the health and safety of our students, families and school community, and keep our students in-school, full-time, in-person. I will work along with the School Committee to make decisions that ensure that schools have the resources and support to effectively address the social, emotional, and mental health of each and every student, as well as the academic needs of all learners. In addition, we need to work along with the mayor and Town Council to increase school funding and continue to address the facilities needs in our schools.

Sorcinelli: I would like to make masking optional and change the policies on excessive quarantines. There has also been an effort to implement critical race theory into our curriculum that I would fight against. There’s a movement to eliminate MCAS testing that I am against. MCAS testing shows where we are compared to the rest of the state. It holds our district, superintendent and School Committee accountable and shows us where we need to improve. I also feel like our district grabs grant money then wastes it on positions like quarantine room monitors. There’s a lot of fat that needs to get trimmed from the budget.

Thompson: There are many issues I believe need to be addressed. From cracking foundations, torn up and missing physical play areas to a budget that will provide needed support for our students, parents and teachers to navigating through a hopeful end to this pandemic. There is a lot that we can work on immediately.

RP: What has been learned from the pandemic and how can local communities work better with the state?

Coyne: Many challenges have been faced by West Side students, teachers, and staff. It has not been easy, but to date, I’ve seen incredible resilience, creativity, and commitment. I believe that we should look back at the responses made due to the pandemic, take what worked well, what worked best, and what needs to be done better to create a proactive roadmap for any future situations. Minimizing disruption is key. West Springfield works closely with the State Department of Education and Secondary Education (DESE); however, I believe DESE needs to provide more flexibility to communities to address specific needs.

Farrell: The pandemic has been very challenging for all school districts across the state. Strong leadership is needed at the state level to help districts in educating all students. Funding the Student Opportunity Act at the state level will help to make funding equitable across the state.

Garvey: The way this question is phrased speaks volumes to me. This question is backwards and highlights exactly what I view as the problem. How can we work better with the state? The state is supposed to be serving our students and therefore the question should be how can the state work better with local communities. Starting from a place of “how can we help?” rather than mandates would be helpful. This could begin by recognizing that we know our communities best and they are all different. It would help if they really came to understand our communities rather than just analyzing our data.

Mancini: We have learned from the pandemic that some students need to be in school for ultimate learning while others do well with online learning and perform better with the hybrid model. As far as the state goes, the best answer is we can communicate and advocate for the state for these children. I believe that this type of communication is key. One size does not fit all.

Marcus: The pandemic was a learning experience for every district across the state, as well as for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Although communication between the DESE always felt like it came too late to address the issues at hand, our superintendent was aggressive in regularly reaching out to the commissioner for clarification and explanation. The pandemic definitely taught us that the strong leadership of our superintendent, working in close collaboration with his School Committee, and in close contact with the commissioner is essential.

Although we cannot control the leadership at the state level, we can ensure that WS schools continue to have strong leadership that is in constant communication with the state.

Sorcinelli: The number one thing I’ve learned is you need to know who your School Committee members represent. Are they former union members who will support union interests even when there is a conflict with what is best for our town or are they parents with no ties to special interest groups who want a better education for their children?
West Springfield needs to take advantage of the guidance put out by DESE. We ignored their guidance to reopen schools last year and we’re not using the test and stay program to its full potential to keep healthy children in school. The state had to step in and threaten an audit just to get our kids back hybrid last fall and then step in again to get our kids back full time in April.

Thompson: I think this pandemic has shown that the state has some significant issues when it comes to helping/communicating with districts. We all watched as guidance was missing or constantly changing, leaving our local officials scrambling to figure it out. I think better communication is key as we navigate the remainder of this pandemic.

RP: How will you address parents'/guardians' concerns with decisions made by the School Committee?

Coyne: We are living through an unprecedented time, and this calls for flexibility and an objective, thoughtful and constructive approach. I believe we need to continue to be transparent with School Committee proceedings so that parents feel they have time for input and to watch School Committee sessions, and plan to institute listening hours to make sure people feel they can communicate with ease.

Farrell: I always listen to parents’ concerns. After hearing from parents, I bring the issue to the administration or School Committee so that the issue can be addressed.

Garvey: I will continue to remain accessible and respond to communications from community members as I do try to respond to concerns in a timely manner. I attempt to make my opinion clear on any issues that come before the committee, but once the committee has taken a position, I view it as my responsibility as a member to do all I can to support those decisions.

Mancini: I do not have a personal agenda. I will listen to all sides of issues and be a voice to those without a voice. That is what I did on the Town Council. I would vote no if I thought it was wrong rather than saying yes, just to go along with what others think. I took very tough stances on the Town Council and I will do the same on the School Committee. As a parent myself and through my experiences on the council, I have a solid understanding of where others are coming from, what needs to be done, and will do everything I can to make decisions that are best for everyone.

Marcus: It is the job of every parent to advocate for their children and it is our job as members of the School Committee to listen to the parents and families of our students. I encourage parents to reach out to me, as well as all members of the School Committee, the school administration and/or the superintendent, when they have a concern. I have always done my best to take action and see to it that any and all parent voices are heard and concerns are addressed.

Sorcinelli: I would allow for public comment at every School Committee meeting. This is already in place for the town council but not for School Committee.

Thompson: Communication again is key. Being able to respond and communicate directly with all parents is a must moving forward. We may not always agree on everything but the School Committee needs to be a representation of the current parents in West Springfield and have the ability to work with and for everyone.

The polls will be open for voting on Nov. 2. For information on in-person early voting, visit https://www.townofwestspringfield.org/government/departments/town-clerk/elections.

For those who would like to vote by mail, visit https://www.townofwestspringfield.org/government/departments/town-clerk/elections to complete the application and submit to the Town Clerk’s Office by Oct. 27.

Alevras did not respond to the questions as of press time.