From left to right: State Sen Jake Oliveira, former Superintendent Gordon Smith, state Rep. Brian Ashe and state Rep. Angelo Puppolo.
Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy
EAST LONGMEADOW — Although former Superintendent Gordon Smith retired in June, his time with the district won’t be forgotten anytime soon after receiving dedication in the new East Longmeadow High School auditorium.
East Longmeadow High School staff and students, School Committee and Town Council members, elected officials and residents gathered outside the new high school’s auditorium on Oct. 15 to memorialize Smith’s 16 years in the district.
Those attending auditorium events will see a plaque with Smith’s name at the entrance, recognizing him for his contributions to the district and community, and the part he played in bringing the new high school to life.
Former School Committee member Greg Thompson kicked off the recognition. He said a typical superintendency is three to five years and Smith’s 16 years showcases how well he did in East Longmeadow.
“The School Committee and the School Building Committee felt that it would be an honor for him to open up our auditorium,” Thompson said. “We just want to thank Gordon for all that he’s done for us as a community, certainly glad that he’s come back.”
School Committee member Aimee Dalenta said naming the auditorium after Smith made perfect sense.
“It’s a place where people gather, students get their moment in the spotlight and there’s always someone backstage making sure everything works,” Dalenta said. “For so many years in East Longmeadow, [Smith] was that person managing the moving parts, supporting people, doing the work and helping the school community move forward through every special performance.”
She said public education takes patience, judgment and a genuine commitment to students, families, staff and community.
“Gordon brought all of that to work year after year,” Dalenta said. “Gordon, putting your name on this auditorium is our way of saying that your years of service mattered, and that this community remembers them with gratitude and affection. This auditorium will stand as a lasting reminder of your dedication to East Longmeadow and to the students, families and staff that you served. We are grateful for all that you have done and are proud to honor you in this meaningful way.”
State Rep. Brian Ashe said the dedication and the amount of attendees speaks volumes about Smith and his character.
“As a superintendent, a lot of the time it’s just people in the school world that see what you’re doing, but as legislators, we saw it everyday,” Ashe said. “Throughout the fight to get a new high school, there was no stronger champion, no louder person calling for a new high school than Gordon.”
State Rep. Angelo Puppolo said Smith has been a tremendous advocate and nothing, like a new high school, “just happens.”
“It takes perseverance, it takes dedication, commitment,” Puppolo said. “Everything you’ve done in the community, it speaks volumes. We are all just a grateful community. We’re grateful from a Commonwealth of Massachusetts standpoint. We were lucky to have you and certainly lucky to continue having your advocacy and your support.”
State Sen. Jake Oliveira said he was a Ludlow High School student on the committee that hired Smith as principal in 2004.
He said he felt proud to then become a Ludlow School Committee member working alongside Smith and recommended him in East Longmeadow when he became a superintendent candidate.
“You are one of the longest serving superintendents in all of Massachusetts,” Oliveira said. “It’s only fitting that there’s an auditorium named after you … Gordon, you deserve to have your name on this. You deserve to have been recognized today because East Longmeadow is in a better place than it was 16 years ago because of you. I’m just grateful that we have an opportunity to honor you.”
Smith received citations of congratulations by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Senate before cutting the ribbon to the brand new auditorium.
