Molina fills Ward 7 seat on Holyoke School Committee

Latitia Molina gets sworn-in as the Ward 7 School Committee member at a joint School Committee and City Council meeting on June 17.
Photo credit: Holyoke Media

HOLYOKE — Latitia Molina will join the Holyoke School Committee after the committee and City Council hosted a joint meeting on June 17 to finalize her appointment.

Molina becomes the Ward 7 representative following the resignation of previous member Ellie Wilson, who announced in May that she was leaving the committee.

Molina, who has worked as a nurse for the past 16 years, was chosen af ther committee interviewed multiple candidates.

“This career has taught me how to listen, how to advocate, how to work collaboratively, and how to make thoughtful decisions while keeping the needs of others at the center, Molina said. “It’s also given me a look inside the lives of individuals with a range of socioeconomic complexities.”
Molina talked about how her lived experience can help with the Holyoke Public Schools.

“I come before you not as a politician or someone who knows remotely the beginnings of serving on that sector, but as a lifelong Holyoke resident, a nurse, a mother and someone who deeply believes in the potential of every child in our city,” Molina said.

Molina also has two kids, including one starting kindergarten in the fall. She stated, “Like every parent, I want my child to receive an education that is safe, supportive, and prepares them for a successful future, but my interest in serving goes beyond my own family. I care deeply about all of Holyoke’s children and families.” Molina also shared that she was raised in Holyoke and lived in every ward growing up because of challenges with finding a permanent home. She talked about how her upbringing yielded valuable experiences that can help families in Holyoke who face similar struggles.

“I understand many of the challenges our students face because I lived them myself. I grew up in poverty and experienced firsthand the barriers that many families in our district continue to navigate today. I know what it feels like when resources are limited, opportunities seem out of reach and when a strong school system can make all the difference in a child’s life.” Molina stated, “I’ve seen Holyoke from many different perspectives. I understand that while our neighborhoods may have different strengths and different challenges, families across Holyoke share the same hopes for their children: a quality education, caring teachers and opportunities to succeed.”

As a School Committee member, Molina said she would approach every decision with a simple question: how does this impact students and their families?

Molina said she believes in supporting the city’s educators, strengthening communication with families, ensuring accountability, and making decisions that are rooted in equity and opportunity for all students.

She stated that although she does not have a traditional political background, she will still bring real-world experience advocating for people, a deep understanding of Holyoke and a commitment to public service.

“The district already has hundreds of educators to offer professional expertise and feedback. My value lies elsewhere as a parent, advocate, and direct recipient of the work, the changes, and challenges that lie ahead as we propel ourselves forward out of receivership and back to local control,” Molina said.

One of the biggest challenges Molina said she is looking forward to tackling is the disconnection she feels between the school and the home. She talked about her time in Holyoke Public Schools, stating, “I feel like I really needed help and guidance from people and support, and I was smart enough to put up a barrier and walls so that not a lot of people know what I was going through. I would say having more of a connection between the students, the families, and the school could really set our kids for success a little bit better.”

Molina was sworn in after the meeting and will serve until the term is up in 2028. The seat will then be filled by the voters during a regular election.
Mayor Joshua Garcia said in a statement on Facebook, “Congratulations, Latitia Molina, on your recent appointment to represent Ward 7 on the School Committee for the Holyoke Public Schools. Looking forward to working with you.”