Holyoke's Devin Sheehan will lead National School Boards Association
The association lobbies on behalf of students in public schools nationwide, working to make sure they get a fair and high-quality education.
Having attended public schools and advocated for students, Sheehan said he knows the transformative power of public education.
'In this role, I remain deeply committed to advancing and protecting our nation's public schools — standing up for equitable resources, supporting our educators, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed,' he said. 'Together, we will continue to be strong voices for the future of public education."
His one-year term as the association's president will run for the 2025-26 school year. The association represents school board members across the United States and the Virgin Islands, according to a statement issued Monday by Holyoke Public Schools.
Sheehan, who works for state Sen. Jake Oliveira, D-Ludlow, holds a bachelor's degree from Franklin Pierce University and a master's in public policy from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Sheehan served on the Holyoke School Committee from 2010 to 2022 and was appointed as an at-large representative in June 2024.
Over the years, Sheehan took on leadership responsibilities within the Massachusetts Association of School Committees leading to his role as president in 2019. That year, he ran for a position on the board of the National School Boards Association.
He takes the president's post in the association at a time of significant upheaval in the federal government.
'To be here now is a challenge, but I have been fighting for so many years I am ready for the challenge to keep federal legislators on their toes to get the resources that students need,' he said.
Sheehan will be involved in advocacy and outreach at the federal level, while also helping to train school board members.
Sheehan said the board is focusing on ensuring that all students have broadband access through E-rate and on reauthorizing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
He takes the post at a time when the Trump administration is seeking to dismantle the Department of Education. Sheehan said he sees his role as addressing national issues and working with federal legislators.
'Policy changes can occur rapidly,' he said, 'making it crucial to watch and advocate for federal funding.'
Sheehan said the board focuses on advocating, securing and monitoring federal funds for supplemental programs provided through the Department of Education, such as universal free school lunch, student protections and educator training.
'Dismantling the federal Department of Education requires congressional action,' he said. '[A] party cannot simply close the department because the federal government provides for students with disabilities and safeguards are needed to ensure every student receives a quality education.'
Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia notes Sheehan's advocacy and roots in the community.
'As schools across the country navigate significant federal changes and evolving challenges, we need steady, experienced leadership more than ever,' Garcia said. 'His proven commitment to students make him the leader we need right now. We're proud to see him representing our community on the national stage.'
Sheehan concedes that the association lost credibility in 2021 when it wrote to the Biden administration asking that the Justice Department use the Patriot Act to investigate parents who harassed school board members.
Incidents from 2021 are mostly behind the group now, he said.
Sheehan brings a deep commitment to public education, a vision for student success and a history of service, the association's executive director and CEO, Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, said in a statement.
Holyoke Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Soto praised Sheehan's commitment to equity and inclusivity.
Mildred Lefebvre, an at-large representative of the Holyoke School Committee, is also on the association's board.
Sheehan said having two Holyoke committee members on the board is rare.
17 'crucial' AmeriCorps programs in Mass. on the chopping block amid DOGE cuts
Holyoke Landing, location of Popeyes and Starbucks, sold
Howdy Awards honor 10 for hospitality excellence in Springfield area
Mass. tenant union to hold training for disabled Chicopee Housing Authority residents
Read the original article on MassLive.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
6 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Suffers Major Immigration Legal Blow
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A federal judge in Illinois has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration that sought to block the state's workplace privacy law on the grounds that it conflicted with federal immigration enforcement. In a ruling issued on August 19, Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois rejected the administration's arguments, finding that the Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act is not preempted by federal immigration law. Why It Matters The ruling matters because it draws a clearer boundary between federal immigration power and state authority over workplace regulation. By rejecting the Trump administration's effort to use immigration law to override Illinois' privacy protections, Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman reaffirmed that states retain broad authority to govern employment relationships. The decision safeguards workers' procedural rights in the hiring process, could set a precedent for other states considering similar measures, and marks a significant check on the expansion of federal enforcement authority. An "Immigration Parking and US Citizenship" sign is displayed outside a parking garage, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Chicago. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP) An "Immigration Parking and US Citizenship" sign is displayed outside a parking garage, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Chicago. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP) Aaron M. Sprecher/AP What To Know The case centered on whether federal law—particularly the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA)—supersedes state-level employment protections. The administration argued that provisions of Illinois' law regulating the use of the federal E-Verify system and protecting employees during the employment verification process interfered with federal immigration authority. Coleman disagreed, concluding that the state law "is not expressly preempted by IRCA and does not intrude upon the federal government's constitutional powers in the space of immigration and foreign affairs." She added that the government's "broad interpretation of its power to regulate matters of immigration would swallow the historic powers of the states over employment-related issues". The Federal Government's Argument The Trump administration claimed that several provisions of Illinois' privacy law—including penalties for violations related to E-Verify—constituted sanctions on employers of unauthorized workers and therefore fell under IRCA's preemption clause. That provision bars states from imposing civil or criminal sanctions on employers who hire or recruit unauthorized workers/aliens. The Justice Department also argued that Illinois' law, by imposing notification requirements and other conditions on the use of E-Verify, conflicted with the federal goal of deterring unauthorized employment. At oral argument, however, Coleman noted that government lawyers struggled to identify precisely which sections of Illinois law they believed were preempted. In her ruling, she wrote that the administration's interpretation of IRCA's preemption clause was "broad to the point of absurdity." Judge's Reasoning Coleman emphasized that employment regulation has historically been a power of the states. "States possess broad authority under their police powers to regulate the employment relationship to protect workers within the State," she wrote, citing Supreme Court precedent. The judge found that Illinois' law does not penalize employers for hiring unauthorized workers but rather regulates how employers use verification systems and ensures employees' rights are respected during that process. "A person's immigration or work authorization status is irrelevant to determine whether an employer has violated any of the provisions of the act," Coleman explained. She further rejected the administration's conflict preemption argument, which claimed that Illinois' law undermined federal objectives. The government suggested that the state's notification rules could encourage unauthorized workers to evade detection. Coleman dismissed this as "simply too speculative a basis on which to rest a finding of pre-emption." Broader Implications The ruling represents a significant legal setback for Trump's immigration agenda, which has frequently sought to expand federal authority over state and local policies. By upholding Illinois' privacy protections, the court reaffirmed the principle that federal power over immigration does not automatically override state employment laws. The decision may carry consequences beyond Illinois. Other states have enacted or considered similar laws governing the use of E-Verify and employee privacy. Coleman's opinion suggests that such measures, when designed to regulate employment rather than immigration status, may withstand federal challenges. Newsweek contacted the Department of Justice for comment via email outside of regular working hours on Wednesday. What People Are Saying Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman wrote in her ruling that Illinois' workplace privacy law "is not expressly preempted by IRCA and does not intrude upon the federal government's constitutional powers in the space of immigration and foreign affairs." She added that the administration's interpretation of federal law was, "broad to the point of absurdity." Kyle Cheney of Politico wrote on X, August 20, 2025, "A federal judge in Illinois has thrown out the Trump administration's lawsuit against the state that claims IL's workforce privacy law conflicts with federal immigration enforcement." In a broader context, legal scholars and state officials have long debated the limits of federal power in immigration enforcement. Ilya Somin, professor of law at George Mason University, told the Washington Post in 2017: "Trump and future presidents could use [the executive order] to seriously undermine constitutional federalism by forcing dissenting cities and states to obey presidential dictates, even without authorization from Congress. The circumvention of Congress makes the order a threat to separation of powers, as well." What Happens Next The Trump administration is expected to appeal to the Seventh Circuit, with a possible path to the Supreme Court. For now, Illinois' workplace privacy law remains in effect, and the ruling could inspire other states to adopt similar protections while intensifying debates over federal versus state authority. Judge Coleman emphasized that federal immigration power "is not without limits," and that preemption requires a clear conflict. By leaving Illinois' law intact and denying an injunction, the ruling marks a notable legal setback for Trump's immigration strategy.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Student Loan Forgiveness Backlog Surges
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A federal program designed to help public service workers erase student debt is facing a growing backlog, with little sign of relief. Last week, a Department of Education court filing showed that the queue for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Buyback program had continued to swell in recent months, even as the agency processed applications. The program allows borrowers to make a lump-sum payment so that periods of deferment or forbearance—when loan payments are temporarily paused—count toward the 10 years of qualifying payments required for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The program is designed to ensure that nonpayment periods are counted toward loan forgiveness. Newsweek has contacted the Department for Education for comment via email. Why It Matters Over the past year, tens of thousands of borrowers caught in SAVE plan forbearance have turned to PSLF Buyback for relief. The program has become especially critical as about 8 million Americans have been barred from making student loan payments following a court injunction that temporarily halted the SAVE plan because of a Republican-led legal challenge. Because time spent in forbearance under SAVE does not count toward loan forgiveness, many borrowers who have already completed years of qualifying public service find themselves in uncertainty. PSLF Buyback was created to bridge that gap, particularly for those approaching the end of their 10-year repayment timeline. An exterior view of the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C., on June 24, 2022. An exterior view of the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C., on June 24, 2022. GETTY The Growing Backlog Even as some applications are processed, the department has struggled to keep up with demand. In its first filing on PSLF Buyback earlier this year, part of an interim agreement to provide monthly updates following a legal challenge over income-driven repayment plan delays, the department reported that it had processed 1,472 applications in April—with 49,318 still in the queue. In May, the number of pending requests grew to 58,761, while 3,312 requests were processed. At the end of June, there were 65,448 pending requests, with 2,224 given a decision that month. In July, the backlog grew further to 72,730, with 3,280 requests being processed. Overall, there has been a 47 percent increase in the number of requests between April and July. There is also a backlog for applications for income-driven repayment plans as many borrowers in SAVE forbearance have sought to switch into other plans to continue making progress toward loan forgiveness. The Trump administration increased pressure on borrowers to change plans after resuming interest charges earlier this month for those enrolled in SAVE. "The Department urges all borrowers in the SAVE Plan to quickly transition to a legally compliant repayment plan—such as the Income-Based Repayment Plan," Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement in July. "Borrowers in SAVE cannot access important loan benefits and cannot make progress toward loan discharge programs authorized by Congress." A major obstacle for borrowers is that switching repayment plans is not a quick process. The Department of Education is dealing with a massive backlog of income-driven repayment (IDR) applications, a problem made worse when the Trump administration temporarily shut down the entire processing system in the spring. While the department has reported some progress, the logjam remains significant. Last month, officials reported 1,511,504 pending IDR applications. As of the latest filing, the backlog had dropped to 1,386,406, with 304,844 applications processed in July.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Student Loans With This Servicer Will Be Transferred Within Months, Says Department Of Education
The Department of Education will begin transferring an unknown number of federal student loans from MOHELA to other servicers by the end of the year, according to recent correspondence between Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. The move could have significant impacts for thousands of student loan borrowers. The department outsources management of its vast federal student loan portfolio to several outside contractors. The current array of student loan servicers includes Nelnet, Aidvantage, EdFinancial, and MOHELA. MOHELA, which previously had managed the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program before its operations were migrated to has been the subject of withering criticism by student loan borrower advocacy organizations and elected officials for billing errors and poor customer service, not just limited to the PSLF program. For frustrated student loan borrowers whose accounts are currently handled by MOHELA, a transfer to a different loan servicer may be welcome news. But loan servicing transfers have historically been disruptive, and can sometimes lead to additional problems. Here's what borrowers should know. Department of Education Will Transfer Student Loans From MOHELA This Year The Department of Education confirmed last month that it plans to transfer federal student loan accounts from MOHELA to other loan servicers later this year. 'FSA is prioritizing efforts to improve customer service to students and parent borrowers,' said Sarah Ursprung, Acting Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs at the Department of Education in a letter sent to Senator Warren last month. 'FSA is collaborating with MOHELA to help the servicer manage the multiple strains on its portfolio to help drive overall improvement. As part of these efforts, FSA intends to transfer a portion of MOHELA's PSLF portfolio to other servicers later this year.' Ursprung did not provide specifics, however, in terms of the number of accounts that will be transferred to other student loan servicers, the timeline of these transfers, or which of the department's other servicers will receive the transferred accounts. However, Ursprung suggested that some, but not necessarily all, borrowers who are on track for PSLF would be subject to a loan servicing transfer. Now that MOHELA is no longer managing the PSLF program following the system migration to that was completed last year, borrowers do not need to be with a specific servicer to pursue student loan forgiveness under the program. MOHELA Has Been Criticized For Badly Managing Student Loans MOHELA has been widely criticized for its student loan servicing practices. Under the Biden-Harris administration, the loan servicer was penalized for allegedly sending untimely or incorrect billing statements to borrowers. More recently, MOHELA sent letters to borrowers containing misleading information about interest accrual; MOHELA subsequently issued a clarifying statement. The servicer has also been accused of using controversial call deflection tactics resulting in extremely long call hold times and an inability for borrowers to reach customer service agents to help them navigate an increasingly complex federal student loan system. A joint report released last year by the Student Borrower Protection Center and the American Federation of Teachers accused MOHELA of intentionally pushing student loan borrowers into a 'byzantine loop of misinformation and false promises." 'The 'call deflection' scheme diverts borrowers away from customer service representatives—often to non-operative parts of the MOHELA website—even though many servicing functions can only be performed by a customer service representative,' said the SBPC and AFT in a joint statement announcing the report last year. Senator Warren echoed many of these criticisms in her response earlier this month to the Department of Education's letter confirming that student loan accounts with MOHELA will soon be transferred to other loan servicers. 'You also disclosed that ED will be moving some of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority's (MOHELA's) federal student loan portfolio to other servicers later this year, a process that the Biden Administration set into motion given MOHELA's abysmal performance,' said Senator Warren in her response letter. 'You admitted that you were doing so to improve MOHELA's performance, and I appreciate your acknowledgement and action—to my knowledge, the first such admission from the Trump Administration—in response to MOHELA's failures to adequately serve borrowers.' Warren went on to say, 'MOHELA has consistently exhibited atrocious customer service, even compared to all other federal student loan servicers. For example, in the fourth quarter of 2024, MOHELA took roughly seven times as long to answer phone calls from borrowers compared to the servicer with the second-worst average wait time.' In her letter, Warren demanded that Secretary McMahon release more information on MOHELA's performance, and explain how the department would respond if MOHELA's student loan servicing operations do not improve. MOHELA has vehemently denied allegations of poor customer service or inadequate student loan servicing. 'Any claims that MOHELA does not act in the best interest of the borrowers we serve as a federal contractor is simply not true,' said a MOHELA spokesperson last year in response to the SBPC and AFT report. "MOHELA's priority has always been on helping the student borrowers that we are here to serve while they navigate the often complex and overwhelming federal repayment process, and that is what we remain proudly committed to doing." And the Department of Education under the Trump administration has defended MOHELA, arguing that its operations are improving. 'MOHELA's performance is steadily showing progress, and FSA's focus remains on improving the borrower experience,' said Ursprung in her letter to Senator Warren last month, appearing to acknowledge that MOHELA's loan servicing operations may have had some room for improvement. 'The Department looks forward to continuing to review the performance of all our current contractors with the goal of improving service delivery on behalf of American students, their families, and taxpayers.' Transferring Student Loans To Other Servicers Can Cause New Problems While borrowers who have been frustrated by MOHELA's performance may welcome a transfer to a different student loan servicer, historically these types of transfers have not always gone well. 'Where a borrower's data has become lost or corrupted as a result of poor data management by a particular servicer, subsequent transfers may result in servicers sending inaccurate periodic statements, borrowers losing progress toward forgiveness, and borrowers having difficulty in rectifying past billing errors,' said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in a 2022 report. The Department of Education sought to provide assurances that any student loan servicing transfers would go smoothly. 'This work will be done thoughtfully and in a responsible way that avoids negative impacts to borrowers,' said Ursprung in her letter last month. The CFPB urges borrowers who may be subject to student loan servicing transfers in the coming months to remain vigilant. The agency suggests that borrowers ensure their contact details with their current loan servicer and at are up to date and accurate; open all correspondence (mail and email) that is sent by the Department of Education and its contracted loan servicers; download and save key records and correspondence including payment histories and important letters; and be prepared to have to re-establish auto-debit or billing information to keep student loans on track once the loan servicing transfer has occurred.
