Latest news with #HolyokeSchoolCommittee
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Public forum being held for Holyoke school superintendent search
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Holyoke School Committee wants to know what residents are looking for in a new superintendent of schools. Holyoke Public Schools is looking for a new superintendent who will lead the district out of state receivership and into local control. They are asking the community what qualities and skills they think are important for the job. Holyoke mayor delivers annual State of the City address The search team is inviting the public to share their thoughts during two in-person and one virtual forum over Zoom. The in-person forums are happening Monday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Kelly Elementary School, and from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Holyoke High School. Anthony Soto is currently serving as the interim superintendent of schools. He was appointed to this position by a unanimous vote back in January. He has been the state receiver since 2021. Last month, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education put out a list of exit assurances that will support the district when receivership ends, and they go back to local control on July 1. They will also help guide the district as the school committee searches for a new superintendent to lead during this transition period. The school committee said back in January that stable leadership would be key during this transition. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Holyoke's Devin Sheehan will lead National School Boards Association
HOLYOKE — Devin M. Sheehan, an advocate for public education and a long-serving member of the Holyoke School Committee, will lead the National School Boards Association next year. 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.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Holyoke school committee member elected President of National School Boards Association
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – A member of the Holyoke School Committee was elected to serve as President of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) for 2025-26. Devin Sheehan was appointed to this national organization's role because of his many years of experience serving on school boards and committees at the local and regional levels. After serving on the Holyoke School Committee from 2010 to 2022, he was appointed as an at-large representative in June 2024. Deerfield to vote on lowering town election age 'Devin Sheehan's election as president of the National School Boards Association comes at a pivotal time for public education. As schools across the country navigate significant federal changes and evolving challenges, we need steady, experienced leadership more than ever,' said Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia. 'His deep roots in Holyoke, his decades of advocacy, and 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 has also been part of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC), and was nominated as president in 2019. He has actively contributed to the NSBA, chairing numerous board committees and regional nominating committees, and being an advocate for educational equity. In his professional life, Sheehan works as the Chief of Staff to State Senator Jake Oliveira. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. 'It is an incredible honor to serve as president of the National School Boards Association,' Sheehan said. 'As someone who grew up in public schools and has spent my career advocating for students, I know firsthand the power of public education to transform lives. 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. Together, we will continue to be strong voices for the future of public education.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
