I have purposely waited to write this letter so to digest the situation and issues facing our School Committee and town.

As a School Committee member I have always acted with the best interest at heart for our community I now realize that my position has to be rephrased so as to be totally accurate. I am for all in learning and education but only when it is safe for teachers, students, parents, grandparents and the entire community. I am pro for full school in not against it but it must be done the right way to protect our community from COVID-19.

Thus, with CDC guidelines that now exists and the governor’s requirement as the Mayor Sapelli has stated we cannot do full in with the guidelines and requirements that now exists.

Recently, I have read what I term to be some negative comments and I reject them. I thank the people who came back and supported me online, people have called/texted me with support and those who have left cards on the table outside of my house in my support.

I intend to stay positive and act in the best interest of the children of Agawam, the parents of Agawam and the teachers of Agawam. My motto has always been from the first day I took office “Let the Children Soar” One of my best friends who unfortunately has passed on a few years back came up with that to describe how I felt. I still believe my decisions are based on it and I embrace it.

So do not try to attack my qualifications or decisions as I have always acted with the best intentions for the children of Agawam. Do not try to take one vote or another out of context of my years of service. I have fought for Agawam’s schools as chairman of the budget finance subcommittee. I support the words of Bill Sapelli who recently did a video with the health director to offer positive guidelines for the community. I will always look at things from a positive manner no matter who tries to attack me for whatever reason. I will not let one vote define me. I will not let one position define me, I believe in a positive future for Agawam’s educational system.  I have friends on the committee who differ from my opinion from time to time we still are friends, we still work together for the children, teachers and Agawam Community and we do not attack each other. Instead we try to work together for the betterment of our community. So I suggest that we concentrate on how best we can make the educational system work for our teachers, students and staff.

Again, in closing I thank all the people who recently went online, called/texted me and left cards at my doorstep. I respect everybodys opinion but I do not respect trash talking and negative attacks. Let’s instead work together for a better Agawam. I join and support Mayor Sapelli even though we may differ from time to time on different ways to address things. I know for a fact that everyone on the school committee has a good heart and I thank them for their concern and dedication to Agawam Schools.

Anthony C. Bonavita
Agawam School Committee