Photo 1: Reminder Publishing submitted photo Photo 2 and 3: Reminder Publishing file photo
SPRINGFIELD — With the Nov. 4 general election almost upon us, Reminder Publishing sent questionnaires to City Council and School Committee candidates on the ballot.
This year’s at large School Committee race includes three candidates for two seats.
Incumbents Denise Hurst and LaTonia Monroe Naylor — the latter of whom serves as the committee’s vice chair — face a lone challenger in Michele Pepe.
Reminder Publishing asked each candidate the same three questions so readers can get a taste of who they are and what they hope to accomplish if elected. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
More coverage on the upcoming Springfield election will appear in future editions.
Reminder Publishing: What qualities or experiences make you qualified to serve on the School Committee?
Hurst: Since joining the Springfield School Committee in 2009, I have worked with pride and responsibility to advance student achievement, address bullying, strengthen family and community engagement, and create safe and inclusive schools. My commitment is personal — I am a proud SPS graduate, and a parent of two sons who are current SPS students.
Professionally, I bring experience as a social worker, college administrator, fundraiser, and education advocate at the local, state, and national levels. I remain committed to keeping the best interests of our children, families, and educators at the heart of every decision and vote I make.
Monroe Naylor: I know Springfield schools because I’ve lived them. I graduated from SPS myself and now have four children who’ve come through the district — two graduates in post-secondary pathways and two still in high school. I’ve been in the stands at games, supported projects and speeches, and walked the same path as other parents. I went on to earn degrees from Elms College and Bay Path University, adding to more than 20 years of experience in education and nonprofit leadership, including serving as an early college professor and co-founder of a nonprofit for families and youth.
Over the past eight years on the School Committee, I’ve delivered results — earning the All-State School Committee Award in 2021 for state-level advocacy. I put action behind my words year-round, securing wins like adding financial literacy and music to the curriculum, improving crossing-guard safety, and strengthening equity, accountability, and opportunity for children and the adults who support them.
Pepe: I am Michele Pepe, a childcare professional and entrepreneur with more than 45 years of experience in early childhood education. As the owner and director of A Brighter Future Childcare and a licensed family childcare program, I have dedicated my career to creating safe, nurturing, and enriching environments for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. I work closely with families and community partners to ensure every child has the support and resources they need to succeed. I also speak Spanish, which helps me connect with diverse families. In December, I will proudly earn my master’s degree in education, furthering my lifelong mission to build brighter futures for all children.
RP: In your eyes, what are the top two most important issues facing the School Committee in the next 12 months?
Hurst: Academic achievement must remain the top priority of the School Committee. Our responsibility is to ensure ALL children have access to a free, high-quality education. With the elimination of MCAS, the commonwealth is creating new graduation requirements, and locally we must align frameworks, so students graduate ready for college, career and life.
Fiscal management is equally critical. Pandemic relief funds are gone, state aid is level, and federal cuts loom. We must resource schools equitably, pay staff fair wages, and make sustainable financial decisions that protect students, families and our community’s future.
Monroe Naylor: Two priorities I see are strengthening academic outcomes and ensuring the financial and structural foundation to sustain them. As chair of Legislative and Contracts as well as Budget and Finance, I take seriously my fiduciary responsibility to manage resources wisely and with long-term impact in mind. That means putting strong structures in place — budget accountability, sustainable contracts, and transparent policies — that undergird the Superintendent’s vision while meeting the needs of students and staff.
I’ve asked, and will continue to ask, the tough questions to ensure accountability — especially in the wake of potential government funding cuts that could impact our ability to educate students. My focus is on making sure Springfield schools remain stable, effective, and prepared to deliver lasting success for every child.
Pepe: April 2025, $47 million of COVID-19 relief funds were reallocated. The district assured that this funding loss would not affect educational services, staffing [and] mental health programs. However, a significant portion of these funds were directed toward playgrounds, HVAC systems, while classrooms remain overcrowded and understaffed. This disconnect between spending priorities and
classroom realities undermines both teacher effectiveness and student learning.
School safety. Parents need to feel safe when they send their children to school. We have a epidemic of violence that is occurring in schools.
What are we doing to keep schools safe? Do we have policies in effect? Are students aware? Parents? School Committee members?
RP: What is your overall message to voters ahead of the election?
Hurst: Too often I hear, “I don’t have children in the schools, so this race doesn’t affect me.” The truth is, School Committee decisions impact us all — over 24,000 students are enrolled in the Springfield Public Schools. They are our future neighbors, workforce, and homeowners.
Our school district is one of the largest employers, with almost 5,000 employees, and they contribute to strengthening our city’s economy.
The successes and challenges of our schools’ ripples through our community. Your vote is your voice, and it helps shape the future of our city. Whether local, state, or federal — always cast your vote.
Monroe Naylor: This election is about building a future where Springfield’s children succeed, and families trust the system that serves them. I am proud to be both an SPS graduate and a parent raising my children here, and I know firsthand what is at stake. My record shows that I don’t just talk about change — I put action behind it, year after year. With your support, I will continue working toward schools that not only educate but empower, where every child has the tools to succeed, every family feels valued, and every educator has the support they need to give their best. Together, we can make Springfield schools stronger.
Pepe: If you want change, you need to vote. I am Antonette Pepe’s daughter, I am not afraid of the truth. I am not afraid to work. We need a School Committee that is dedicated that will walk through the schools. We need to walk, not talk. School Committee needs to be and believe in.
