Erika Emmelman.
Reminder Publishing file photo
SOUTHWICK — The School Committee has an opening after announcing that Erika Emmelmann recently resigned.
“She served the town well,” said Robert Stevenson, the chair of the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District School Committee.
“She was always present and actively involved with the committee. I’m sad to see her go,” Stevenson added.
Emmelmann was appointed to the School Committee in September 2021 as the member representing Southwick after the sudden departure of committee chair Jeffrey Houle.
In 2023, she successfully ran for another three-year term.
District Superintendent Jennifer Willard thanked Emmelmann for her service to the committee and the community.
“We thank Ms. Emmelmann for her support and dedication to the students and staff in the District during her three and one-half years as a School Committee member,” Willard said in an email statement.
“We appreciate Ms. Emmelmann’s sound judgment, guidance, and the positive impact she had on our school community,” she said.
She was born and raised in Southwick and has two children. When she was interviewed in 2021, she touted her family’s deep roots in town and the school district and that her ancestors on her mother’s side were actually some of the founders of Southwick.
An attempt to contact Emmelmann was unsuccessful.
Stevenson said he wasn’t sure why she resigned but did say her children were no longer attending district schools.
With the open seat, the School Committee and the Select Board will fill the vacancy by appointment during a joint meeting of the Southwick committee members and board scheduled for Aug. 25.
The successful candidate will serve out the remainder of Emmelmann’s term, which ends in May 2026.
To remain on the committee, the person appointed will have to run for the seat during the town’s next municipal election.
To be considered to fill the vacancy, interested citizens must be a registered voter in the town of Southwick; a letter of interest and resume should be emailed to superintendent@stgrsd.org or mailed to: Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District, Superintendent’s Office, 86 Powder Mill Rd., Southwick, MA 01077.
The closing date for letters of interest/resumes is noon, Aug. 15.
Interviews will take place on Aug. 25, during the joint meeting.
For further information, contact the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District at 413-569-5391.
