EASTHAMPTON — The Nov. 4 general election is less than a week away and Reminder Publishing has sent questionnaires to School Committee candidates on the ballot.
This year’s School Committee race in Easthampton includes eight candidates vying for six seats.
The committee has seven seats in total with the mayor serving as the final member. Candidates featured in the race are incumbents Linda Sue Markee, Megan Harvey, Laura Scott, Sam Hunter and Eric Guyette, and newcomers Bonnie Atkins, Allison Malinowski and Paul McNeil.
Reminder Publishing asked each candidate the same three questions so readers can get a look at who they are and what they hope to accomplish if elected. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Markee and Atkins did not respond to Reminder Publishing by press time.
This is the last edition of election preview coverage. If interested in reading the responses from candidates in City Council and other School Committee races, visit thereminder.com/print-editions/hampshire-reminder/.
Reminder Publishing: What are one or two things you think voters should know about you?
Guyette: As a father, coach, and teacher, I believe education is the key to growth — both individually and as a community. I have a fourth grader and a seventh grader at Mountain View School, and I’m now entering my 18th year as a classroom teacher. These years of experience have given me a deep understanding of the challenges our schools face. I am committed to continuing the work I began during my first term, as we move forward together as a district that strives to ensure the success of every student who enters our schools.
Harvey: I’m happy to be running for a third term on the School Committee! I have been the chair of the Finance Committee for two years. We have accomplished a lot over four years, including hiring an excellent superintendent, transitioning to a beautiful, safe, and healthy new PK-8 school building, and successfully navigating challenging budget seasons while maintaining level services and retaining our excellent educators and staff — something not all districts have been able to do. There is still much work to be done, though! Our focus as we move forward is growing our services and offerings efficiently.
Hunter: I have lived in Easthampton for about 12 years, and I have served on the School Committee for just over two terms. I’m a transgender dad of a 9-year-old Mountainview student, and my wife is a public school teacher in a neighboring district. In my day job, I work for the Department of Developmental Services, helping to coordinate a program for children with developmental disabilities. I see public school as the last true publicly funded anti-poverty program that we have in this country, and I take the mission of protecting, advocating for, and improving public education extremely seriously.
Malinowski: I’m a parent of two young kids and a teacher. I have first hand experience on how local decisions impact students. I care a lot about making sure our schools are safe and supportive places where every student, teacher, and staff member feels seen and set up for success.
McNeil: I’m a proud Easthampton parent of a third grader and pre-K kiddo. I grew up as the seventh of eight kids in a working-poor family in Spencer, Massachusetts, where community support made all the difference. I attended high school here in Easthampton in the ‘90s, and moved back 20 years later to raise my family. For two decades, I’ve worked in education and prevention — starting as a high school English teacher and now as a public health specialist with the New England HIDTA, focused on youth substance use prevention. I believe strong schools are the heart of strong communities.
Scott: I am a self-professed die-hard fan girl of the We The People program, EHS drama club productions, and EHS concerts. Never miss them!
RP: In your eyes, what are the top two most important issues facing the School Committee next year?
Guyette: As we navigate the evolving landscape of AI in education, I believe it’s essential that we approach its implementation thoughtfully — ensuring it enhances learning without compromising student privacy or educator roles. At the same time, I remain committed to maintaining the funding and resources our schools need — with hope that we can grow and improve for the future. With issues such as these, I believe it’s essential to work in unison with our school leaders. I am proud to have been part of the committee who helped hire our new superintendent Dr. Balch, and I believe a large part of our future success will come from supporting her work and goals for our district.
Harvey: Two things on my mind are a strategic plan for growth and continuing to align our budget intentionally with our values. We are overdue for an updated strategic plan! Our superintendent has already established clear priorities for her first year in the district, including the foundational work necessary to update the strategic plan. The plan needs to reflect the values of our city and move us bravely forward, with students as our focus. It provides guiding principles for the School Committee and for fiscally responsible and ethical budget decisions that meet city priorities.
Hunter: The rising cost of education is the number one issue our district faces — and the number two and three issues as well. Federal money is being dispersed late or not at all. Rising inflation and increased utility costs have increased daily operating expenses. Transportation is through the roof. Students have more needs. Anyone can advocate for programs or opportunities for students, but where is the money going to come from? I have advocated for robust and fair funding of small districts like ours, and will continue advocating, and I will continue to partner with other stakeholders who want to help.
Malinowski: First, we need to continue to ensure the budget supports the needs of our schools. This includes resources for classroom learning including managing class sizes, mental health resources, and special education. Second, we have to keep focusing on school safety, inclusion, and bullying prevention. This takes more than having policies in place. It means giving teachers training that sticks and helping students understand and apply what it really means to be part of a safe, inclusive and respectful school community.
McNeil: First, supporting our new Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Balch, with clear collaboration and community trust as she leads our district forward. Second, ensuring our new K–8 building becomes a model for inclusive, innovative education — strengthening communication with families, expanding mental health supports, and investing in professional growth for teachers. This is our moment to create schools where students, families, and educators feel genuinely connected, supported, and valued while making thoughtful, fiscally responsible decisions that benefit every child.
Scott: The single most important issue facing all of public education right now is the unpredictability and scarcity of funding. The uncertainty of federal funds that support our special education students, and the limitations of state and city funding will require us to continue to innovate to meet the critical needs of our students and staff.
RP: What is your overall message to voters ahead of the election?
Guyette: I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished during my first term on the School Committee. Over the past two years, I’ve learned a tremendous amount and gained valuable perspective. Together, we’ve achieved a great deal, including: hiring our new superintendent through a thoughtful and transparent process; crafting policy with input from our student council; adjusting the district’s school choice timeline to better serve families looking to join our community; and — most importantly — listening to and working with families who truly want the best for their children. I’m excited about the direction our school district is heading, and I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve a second term on the Easthampton School Committee.
Harvey: I am confident in the direction our district is headed, even if our work is not yet done. The future in our district is bright because we have made it bright. Children learn and flourish and “do good” when they feel good. Every decision I make is grounded in what is best for kids (and their families). My goal is always that every student feels welcome, safe and supported. All children, from every background and type of family, with no exceptions, belong in this district. It is a privilege to serve and I hope to serve you again next term.
Hunter: When dealing with problems, I like to research what other communities have done, and go back to our core values. How have we dealt with similar problems in the past? How do other districts deal with these issues? In what way do the choices we have reaffirm our commitment to academic, emotional, and social learning that is welcoming, inclusive, and adapted to the needs of all students? Staying grounded in core values, and remembering that we are never the first group of people to face any problem, help us create a district in which all of our students can succeed.
Malinowski: Local elections matter. The School Committee makes decisions that shape students’ day-to-day experience and impact the whole community. I’m committed to leading with transparency and thoughtfulness. I promise that I will always put students first and stand by Easthampton’s values of treating people fairly, welcoming all voices, and creating a space where everyone feels like they matter.
McNeil: Easthampton has incredible momentum — new facilities, new leadership, and a community that deeply values its families and schools. Let’s build on that progress together. I’ll bring collaborative leadership, fiscal transparency with clear and representative budget priorities, and a commitment to prevention and inclusion. I want every student — especially those who are BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, or neurodivergent — to feel safe, challenged and loved. Together, we can create schools that reflect our community’s strengths, diversity, and belief in every child’s potential to flourish.
Scott: I bring a considerable amount of experience and enthusiasm to my work in public service. I truly love it and feel honored for the opportunity to serve. I’ve learned in my most recent term that my skills have been amplified and greatly improved through my collaboration and reliance on my colleagues. We have built a structure of mutual trust that allows each of us to offer our greatest individual strengths to the Committee. This approach has made possible some incredible achievements and sets the bar for a potential next term even higher.
