Coalition led by Holyoke officials press Baker to vaccinate educators earlier
Holyoke School Committee member Devin Sheehan is leading a coalition of school committee members statewide to encourage Gov. Charlie Baker to vaccinate teachers and other school personnel earlier. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Holyoke High School GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 1/19/2021 6:57:59 PM
HOLYOKE As students and teachers in Holyoke prepare to soon head back to school under a hybrid learning model, a coalition of school committee members from across the state is calling on Gov. Charlie Baker to prioritize vaccination for educators in urban and low-income school districts, like those in the Paper City and Springfield.
Lisa Redmond
GRAFTON After months of screening resumes, completing background checks and hours of interviews, the three finalists for the town administrator’s job are the town administrators in Monson and Blandford and the chief financial officer in New Bedford.
Out of an initial pool of 33 applicants, the town administrator screening committee, with help from consultants Community Paradigm Associates, presented the select board on Tuesday, Dec. 29, with three finalists, one of which will be Grafton’s next town adminstrator.
The finalists are: Evan P. Brassard, town administrator in Monson; Joshua A. Garcia, town administrator in Blandford; and Ari J. Sky, chief financial officer in New Bedford.
Opposition to MCAS grows
Northampton Association of School Employees Vice President Heather Brown talks about MCAS testing during a standout in front of Northampton City Hall on Dec. 4. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING
Meg Robbins, left, John Crand and Northampton High School senior Virginia Crand take part in a standout in front of Northampton City Hall, Friday, in opposition to MCAS testing during the pandemic. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING
Northampton High School ELL teacher Sue Sullivan, center, speaks at a rally Friday in front of Northampton City Hall to oppose MCAS testing during the pandemic. She is joined by, from left, JFK seventh-grader Eliza Brown and her mother, Heather Brown, Leeds parent Kristen Elde (obscured by sign) and Northampton High School parent Amy Martyn. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING