AGAWAM — On Nov. 4, voters in Agawam will decide who will serve them on the School Committee.
While most of the candidates — Shelly Borgatti-Reed, AJ Christopher, Dawn DeMatteo, Catherine McDougal, Michael Perry and Wendy Rua are incumbents seeking reelection, candidate Heather Zielenski is also vying for one of the seats.
Reminder Publishing reached out to the candidates to ask their opinions on the School District’s needs and direction for the future. Candidates’ answers appear in alphabetical order. DeMatteo did not respond in time for press.
Reminder Publishing: Now that the high school building project is underway, what is the next school the town should tackle upgrading and how urgent a need is it?
Borgatti-Reed: The high school is expected to be completed in the next three years. Some of our other schools will need building upgrades, such as roof replacements and other improvements. The roof replacements are the most urgent upgrades and will need to be done in the near future.
Christopher: It’s great news that the new high school and early childhood center project is now underway. Given this significant undertaking, along with the nearing completion of the police station, these two large capitals projects will have an impact on our community. Therefore, it would be premature to discuss which school project should be next. We must dedicate this time to ensuring all our existing schools remain in good operating condition while we carefully evaluate future renovation and rebuilding needs.
McDougal: If I had a magic wand to wave I would upgrade all of our school buildings, the newest of which was built in 1973, but the truth is the need for an updated high school and a larger [early childhood center] has been the most urgent need for over a decade. With that project underway, the most urgent need for our schools is new roofs for the four elementary schools. The current roofs are nearly 30 years old and well past their expected lifespan and the mayor and City Council have already taken steps to address this pressing need.
Perry: The high school project was much needed; however it comes at a significant cost to the taxpayers of Agawam. All of our school buildings are older and require ongoing maintenance and repairs, and our town and building maintenance department do an excellent job of keeping the buildings well-maintained and safe for students and staff. I would support efforts to continue the ongoing maintenance and repair of our schools as needed; however, we must consider the burden that larger projects have on local taxpayers who have also funded several recent capital improvement projects in town.
Rua: The new [Agawam] High School project is an ambitious and important investment, and with it we must remain fiscally conservative when considering future projects. Roof replacements at the four elementary schools cannot be delayed, as they are essential for maintaining safe and functional learning environments. And improvements to pedestrian and bike lanes are needed to ensure the safety of our students and families traveling to and from school. Balancing fiscal responsibility with these pressing priorities will be key to supporting both current and future generations.
Zielenski: I believe it’s important to always take a data-driven approach, to look closely at the numbers and evaluate what makes the most financial sense while aiming for the greatest impact on the broader student population. At the same time, it’s essential to ensure that the needs of students in the Connections Program are fully considered in any decision-making process.
RP: Should you win, what would you most like to work on in the term ahead?
Borgatti-Reed: If elected, my priorities will be to ensure all students have strong learning opportunities, that our budget is fiscally sound, that we do everything we can to make our schools safe, and that we support our teachers and keep open lines of communication with families and the community.
Christopher: If reelected, I would like to collaborate with the administration to develop a tool for measuring student and school success. While I did not support MCAS testing, as I felt it led to teaching to the test rather than assessing the material taught in classrooms, I do believe we need a measurement tool. This would allow us to evaluate the success of Agawam students in comparison to other communities across Massachusetts and the U.S.
McDougal: As part of my current work on the School Committee, I also serve on the Safety Subcommittee and would like to continue in this role. It is important to consider that safety includes both the physical safety and security of our buildings, and also the culture of our schools, where students and staff are safe from discrimination, harassment, or bullying; so they can bring their best selves to school. I would continue to advocate for programs and policies which keep our buildings secure, and which allow our students to access the curriculum and engage in learning as their genuine selves.
Perry: I would like to continue focusing on improving the academic performance of students to ensure our district is preparing all students for success in life after high school. Important factors, including having strong communication with parents and families, improved attendance rates, expanded academic offerings and technical educational opportunities and setting high academic standards. I would also like to focus on providing necessary resources for our special education department to ensure all students in our district can reach their fullest potential, and all educators have the tools and resources necessary to provide exceptional services for students and their families.
Rua: I want to sincerely thank the voters of Agawam for supporting me in serving on the School Committee — this work could not be achieved without your trust and partnership. From the beginning, student safety has always been my top priority, along with building a stronger community through collaboration and open communication. Together, we’ve made important progress, and I believe we are strongest when every voice is valued and heard. As I seek reelection, I remain committed to working hard for our schools, our families, and our town. With your continued support, we can keep moving Agawam forward.
Zielenski: Supporting teachers is a top priority. I recognize the challenges they face, especially when it comes to limited resources and increasing demands. My focus is on helping ensure they have what they need in the classroom; whether that’s materials, professional development or support staff. At the same time, I want to be realistic about funding constraints and work to find the most efficient and effective ways to utilize available resources to benefit both teachers and students.
RP: What is your vision for Agawam Public Schools in the next 10 years?
Borgatti-Reed: My vision for the next 10 years is to provide every student with well-rounded education that prepares them for success by creating a safe, innovative learning environment. I would like to see us invest in technology, curriculum and professional development to ensure teachers remain engaged and effective. I am hoping to maintain a strong partnership with families and the community, and I will aim to make Agawam a district where the community takes pride in its schools.
Christopher: I would like to see an expansion of Agawam’s Pathway selections and the introduction of these options at an earlier age. Over a 10-year period, this initiative would allow students an in-depth look into career planning while they are still completing their education. As more students consider trades and other alternatives to traditional post-high school education, offering these insights before high school graduation would be incredibly valuable.
McDougal: I would like us to build on the programs we have in place, including special education services, arts education, and career and technical education. We are fortunate to be able to provide most of our special education services in district, and I would like to see that capacity grow, including ensuring that we have sufficient teachers and resources to meet the needs of all students. I also want to see the Pathways program grow to include more fields, and for us to expand technical education opportunities at our schools; especially as [Career Technical Education Center] admissions become more competitive.
Perry: I believe Agawam has the potential to be a model school district in our region. With a modern high school, prudent administrative leadership and a supportive community, we will continue to attract the most qualified educators and staff to provide our students with a high-quality educational experience. Our schools will continue to provide outstanding services for all students while being innovative in educational offerings and alternative career paths.
Rua: Looking ahead to the next 10 years, my vision is to create opportunities, which the new high school building will provide. With modern spaces and resources, we can expand hands-on learning, create stronger Pathways for internships and deepen partnerships with our community. These experiences will not only enrich classroom learning but also show our students what life after high school can look like — whether in college, careers or service. By preparing them with real-world skills and perspectives, we will equip our students to thrive as engaged, confident global citizens ready to shape the future.
Zielenski: Agawam Public Schools should be seen as a school system of choice not only for the families looking for a great place to educate their children, but also for top teaching and administrative talent. We want the best educators and staff, and to do that, we need to build a strong, supportive and forward-thinking school environment. Many of the educators working in our schools today are proud graduates of the Agawam school system themselves, a powerful testament to the quality of education here and the dedication our people have to this community. A strong school system strengthens the community, it enhances our quality of life, makes Agawam a more attractive place to live and serves as the foundation for a vibrant, thriving town.
Voting will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. For a list of polling places, visit agawam.ma.us/231/Election-Information.
