Bo Sullivan is sworn in as a member of the School Committee by City Clerk Karen M. Fanion Monday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – At a Special Joint School Committee and City Council meeting on Monday, a majority of members of both committees elected Bo Sullivan to finish the remaining year on Kevin J. Sullivan’s third term on the School Committee. Kevin J. Sullivan, brother to Bo Sullivan and Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, passed away suddenly in September.
Also seeking the seat was former School Committee member Jeffrey L. Gosselin.
“We’re here to fill a vacancy, with one year remaining. I have asked both candidates to attend,” said Mayor Sullivan at the start of the meeting.
Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise then came forward and challenged the Mayor in a brief but heated exchange. “I don’t mean to be a jerk, but I checked with the state, and you’re not allowed to preside,” Surprise said.
Sullivan said he also checked before the meeting, and was informed that as the elected Mayor and de-facto chairman of the School Committee, he could chair the joint meeting. However, at that point he chose to recuse himself. “In the interest of everyone in the room, I thought it was easier to excuse myself and take a higher road,” he said afterwards.
School Committee Vice-Chair Cindy Sullivan then presided over the meeting after checking in with City Council President John J. Beltrandi, III.
Jeffrey L. Gosselin. (WNG file photo)
Both candidates were given time to address their reasons and qualifications for seeking the seat. Gosselin, who drew the first slot, said he brought with him “a long and distinguished career” in education. Currently, he is employed as a teacher assistant in Northampton Public Schools.
Gosselin said while on the committee, he did a lot of work with school choice funds and professional development. He said when the vacancy came up, he received phone calls from members of the community, encouraging him to put in his name.
“I was the official candidate. I was the next highest vote getter,” Gosselin said, adding, “I come from a different angle and role. I bring in the everyday working in the classroom with kids.”
Bo Sullivan thanked the committee for the opportunity to put in his name to complete the one year remaining on Kevin Sullivan’s term; “an opportunity I’d rather not be having,” he said. He called his brother one of the best School Committee members who ever served.
Sullivan listed his experience as a morning radio talk show host; working in development for Westfield State University, and his current position as executive director of the Irish Cultural Center. He said through his work he has had a lot of experience with fundraising and grant writing.
Sullivan also said he is in his sixteenth year on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield, nine of which he served as president. He said included in that tenure was a $3 million expansion of the before and after school program for city youth, which he said is currently one student short of capacity.
After their statements, and before taking the votes, the candidates were formally nominated. The vote was then taken in the order of numbers drawn at the start of the meeting. School Committee members Cindy Sullivan, Ramon Diaz, Jr. Diane Mayhew, Timothy O’Connor, and Heather Sullivan, and Councilors John Beltrandi, Brent Bean, Michael Burns, Ralph Figy, Cindy Harris, Nick Morganelli, Bill Onyski and Bob Paul voted for Bo Sullivan, and Councilors Dan Allie, Mary Ann Babinski, Matt Emmershy, and Andrew Surprise voted for Gosselin, in a final count of 13 to 4. Councilor Dave Flaherty was absent.
Following the meeting, Bo Sullivan said the seat is his first elected position. He said as a Westfield High School graduate, and having daughters that recently graduated and are in college, he would like to focus on the high school during his term. “Some work needs to be done,” he said.
He was then sworn in by City Clerk Karen J. Fanion, enabling him to participate in the School Committee meeting beginning immediately afterwards.
“It was a difficult process. Kevin is missed by this committee, and his seat can’t be filled,” said Cindy Sullivan at the end of the meeting. She said Bo Sullivan stepped forward at the request of the family, and added, “We’re thrilled to have Bo.”
Cindy Sullivan is no relation to the family.
She also said that several years ago (2007), Jeffrey Gosselin replaced his mother, Sharon Merlo-Gosselin, who passed away while serving her third term on the School Committee.
