Ramon Diaz Jr.
242 West Road
Married to Maria Isabel Diaz for 19 years and two children Nick, 9 and Jake, 7.
Candidate for office of School Committee (4 year term)
Education:
B.S. Computer Science from Florida International University
A.S. Engineering and Science Transfer Springfield Technical Community College
Employment/Profession: Systems Architect at MassMutual Financial Group
Government Service/Community Organizations:
Member of Air National Guard with over 24 years of service
Co-President Southampton Road School PTO
Committee Chairman of Cub Scout Pack 820
Hobbies: Mountain Bike riding, Geocaching, Golf, and Tae Kwon Do.
Children don’t learn the way they did even 10 years ago, so we need to find innovative techniques to help our children learn and supply them with the tools and technology they need to enable their success. I will push for the attainment and use of technology in the classroom to guarantee that our children stay viable in an increasingly competitive world.
As a city we need to ensure we are educating all our children. We need to challenge all our students and give them the best chance to succeed by supplying them with the tools they need to meet their goals. We need to continuously stimulate our gifted students to keep them engaged and we need to supply our students with special needs the tools they require to learn and continuously challenge them. It is our obligation to ensure that children of all abilities are educated to their maximum potential. I will advocate for programs that will help our district’s students meet these goals.
We also have to be good stewards of the funds made available for education and be sensible about how we spend these funds. We have to invest in staff to ensure that they have the latest techniques to advance the learning of our students. I will promote fiscal accountability and transparency of the school district to the residents of Westfield to ensure our tax dollars are used to their maximum potential.
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Jeffrey L. Gosselin
29 Union Street
Family information: A proud Uncle, with niece in Westfield Public Schools.
Candidate for office of Westfield School Committee (4-year term)
Education: Westfield High School, 1986; associate’s degree, liberal arts, Holyoke Community College;
bachelor’s degree, elementary education, American International College; master’s degree,
student personnel administration in higher education, Springfield College; certificate of
advanced graduate studies, industrial organizational psychology and labor studies, Springfield College;
certificate, group exercise leadership, Holyoke Community College
Employment/Profession: Recreation Counselor, Multicultural Community Services of the Pioneer Valley, Inc.
Government Service/Community Organizations: Appointed to Westfield School Committee, 2007-2008;
YMCA-Westfield; Western Hampden Historical Society; Westfield Historical Commission; Friends of the
Westfield Atheneum; Westfield Volunteer In Public Schools (VIPS); Westfield Head Start Policy Council,
2008-2011.
Hobbies: Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, US Figure Skating
When I decided to seek a position on the Westfield School Committee, I knew experience, creative thinking,
hard work, and a love for children and schools were critical to providing and serving you, the people. These
qualities are what drove me throughout my career. I have a passion for the work I do. I believe that
dedication and commitment remain a top priority. We must make sure that public safety standards
are met and tax dollars are spent wisely. As someone who has served as a Springfield teacher and an
adjunct professor of education at Westfield State University, I understand and appreciate what it takes
to have a meaningful impact on a students learning. That’s why I will advocate for spending in the classrooms,
reducing class sizes, and identify alternative programs for at-risk students. We need to place a premium on
early education programs and strengthen school-based intervention and wellness programs.
If elected to the school committee, I promise to do my homework, have a visible presence in our schools, and
encourage the committee to search for alternative ways in which to fund student services, in order to reach a
fair and balanced school department budget. Lets continue our mission to teach every child to
reach as far as their dreams will take them. I look forward to serving on the Westfield School Committee, and
I thank you for the honor to help a child or two.
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JACK LEARY
John D. Leary, Jr.
138 Root Road – Ballot Address
18 Second Ave. – Mailing Address
Family information: Just the two of us. All children are adults and do not live at home.
Candidate for office of two-year term on the Westfield School Committee.
Education: Graduate of St. Mary’s High in Westfield.
Earned: BSEd and MEd from Westfield State.
MST from American International College.
Employment/Profession: I am a retired High School Science Teacher.
Government Service: – Westfield City Council
G & E Commission
Police Commission
Westfield School Committee
Conservation Commission
Presently – Council On Aging
New Senior Center Building Committee
Community Organizations: Active – St. Vincent De Paul Society
Western Historical Society
Member – American Legion Post 124
Sons Of Erin
Friends Of The Senior Center
Friends Of The Westfield Atheneum
Pioneer Valley Hiking Club
Hobbies: Hiking, golf, travel, singing with the Do Re Me group.
Candidate platform:
1. Curriculum: The school committees responsibility is to approve the curriculum (what and when subject material is taught), designed by the school administration with input from the teachers. As a member of the school committee, I am obliged to evaluate the data and have an ongoing dialog with the superintendent to insure we are meeting our educational goals. We must insure an interdisciplinary approach to the acquisition of knowledge and skills, maintain high educational standards, and meet the new common core educational requirements proposed by the state.
2. Class Size: Within the constraints of the school budget, we must keep class size manageable to insure effective interaction between teacher and student. Research indicates that most children who have difficulty with reading in third grade will continue to have this difficulty throughout their life. We must address this problem by achieving appropriate class size in classes that have the most influence on life long learning. We must insure that teachers in grades 1 – 3 are able to give attention to each child to enable them to become proficient readers and have the skills required for future academic success.
3. Technology: We must continue to make technology available to all classroom teachers and acquaint the staff with its most effective use. The use of the document camera and Interactive Smart Board will expand the learning experience beyond the text book. We are compelled to incorporate appropriate subject material readily available on the World Wide Web and other sources. Data shows using technology creates greater student interest and involvement in the learning process
4. Other Issues: We must be more proactive and less reactive in the maintenance of our buildings.
5. We must review school redistricting plans for placement of K – 5 students. We are responsible to the parents for their children’s safe movement between the home and the school with the least traffic impact on the neighborhood.
6. It is important that we place greater emphasis on creating partnerships with the business community to secure supplemental funds for our school programs.
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MICHELLE LESIEUR
Michelle P. Lesieur
101 Hubbard St.
Family information:
Widow of Raymond, maiden name is Brochu.
Candidate for office of School Committee
Education: Graduate of St. Mary’s High School and received an Associate Degree from Fisher College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Westfield State College.
Employment/Profession: Executive secretary at the American Registry of Medical Assistants.
Government Service/Community Organizations:
National Committeewoman for the Massachusetts Republican Assembly (MARA); Past vice president of Congressional District 1, Daniel Shays Chapter of MARA; Member of the National federation of Republican Assemblies (NFRA); Secretary for the Westfield Republican Committee.
Our future is our children. We must protect them and educate them to the best of our ability. We can only do this when we prudently and responsibly pave the path for them. I am a taxpayer, not a politician. I stand for family values and parental rights. I believe in opt-in, not opt-out, in the classroom.
Parents have the right of input to the education of their children. I will be the voice of those parents who sense a need for greater emphasis on the basics of reading, writing, arithmetic, civics, history, and science.
We are all feeling the pinch in this economic downturn. The primary responsibility of the school committee is to formulate general policies reflecting the educational expectations of the community and adoption of the budget.
As a member of the School Committee, I will bring conservative values tot he educational expectations of our children; and what as taxpayers we can realistically afford.
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Diane M. Mayhew
21 West Glen Drive
Family information: Husband: Dennis. Three children; Patrick, a graduate of University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and newly married, Shannon, a third year student at Worcester State University, and Lauren, a first year student at Holyoke Community College. All three children were educated in the Westfield Public school system.
Candidate of office of Westfield School Committee (4 year term)
Education: St. Mary’s class of 1978. 1980-AS in Food Service Management from Holyoke Community College
Employment/Profession: Former Food Service manager with Seilers Corporation working in the commuter cafeteria at Westfield State College. Stopped working outside the home in order to raise a family.
Community organizations: Member of the Sons of Erin Women’s Auxiliary
List the top three issues of your platform:
1. Promoting Volunteerism in our schools. Parent involvement in the schools is essential. The more a parent is involved in their child’s education the better the child does academically. There is also a higher rate of attendance and communication between parent and teacher increases.
2. Head Start Liaison. Currently there is no committee member liaison for this position. This federally funded program promotes school readiness for children ages three to five, from low-income families by offering an educational environment which they may not otherwise have.
3. Organizing the relocation of students to the new Ashley Street School. Taking a child out of a familiar school environment to a new one can be challenging to a student. Active communication and preparation for such a move is key to allow the student to focus on learning as they enter a new surrounding. I would like to be a part in making sure that everyone involved has the proper tools and support in order to make this transition less stressful for the children.
I believe I can make a strong contribution. I am proud of the direction that our school district is taking and would like to see that direction continue. I’m committed to continuing to provide the best educational programs possible for our children. I feel that serving as a member of the School committee is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs I will ever undertake. The decisions that are made affect not only the children, but their parents, the school employees and the economic well-being of our community. It requires time, energy, a willingness to learn about issues affecting our schools, and a passion for a public education system. Westfield has strong schools and strong schools make strong communities.
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(EMAILED HIM FOR ELECTRONIC “STATS” PORTION)
As the only candidate currently on the School Committee, I am very excited about the strides made in the last four years and the opportunities presented to the School District.
The implementation of technology in the secondary schools has been tremendous, but has shown the dire need for technological advances in the elementary schools.
The budget has proven to be a continual challenge with cuts to education on both the federal and state levels. However, the District has been able to weather the storm, continue its commitment to provide a quality education to its students and is now positioned to create an enhanced 21st century learning environment. This budget process must continue to be transparent and flexible depending on the needs of the District.
The approval of funding for a new elementary school is a major success for Westfield. We will have the opportunity to address overcrowding in the classroom while embracing new educational opportunities that a state of the art school will offer. However, the enormous task of redistricting will need to be addressed immediately. The issues of schools closing and leases expiring will require planning and very difficult decisions to be made by the next School Committee.
Issues at both high schools also have to be addressed. The science labs at Westfield High are inadequate, and in many instances, unavailable. Westfield Vocational Technology High School is in desperate need of substantial repairs. Also, the curriculum at Voke must be analyzed further.
Finally, I would like to continue the progress we have made with our teachers. As part of the school negotiating team, I have seen the union work with the administration to resolve licensing issues, professional development and of course fair compensation. We want to continue to attract and retain the best staff available. Cooperation on all levels assists in this process.
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Michael D. Tirrell
Michael D Tirrell
36 Darby Drive
Family information:
Wife: Erinn (Sheedy) Tirrell, Home Daycare Provider
Children: Twins, Moira and David (8) and Maggie (3), all students in Westfield Public Schools
Candidate for office of School Committee (2-year term)
Education:
Westfield High School Class of 1996
Westfield State University Class of 2000, BA – Mathematics with minor in Computer Science
Microsoft Certified Professional Developer, .Net Windows and Web development, CED Solutions, Marietta, GA
Employment/Profession:
14 year IT professional, software development.
Current employer: WideOrbit, Inc., Agawam, MA
Current Title: Director, Engineering and Technical Product Manager, Orion product line
Government Service, Community Organizations:
Member of Western MA .Net user group
Member of International Sybase User group
Volunteer, Westfield Youth Football
Volunteer Youth baseball coach, Westfield Parks and Recreation
Member, Sons of Erin, Westfield, MA
Hobbies: Golfing, Boating, Fishing, Hunting
I am a lifelong resident of Westfield and a proud product of our public schools. With three young children of my own now in the Westfield Public School system and immense change going on in our city and our schools, I feel the coming years will be a critical time for our students. I want to ensure that all of our children receive the best education possible from our schools and that they are prepared to enter our country’s top colleges upon graduation and a rapidly changing world thereafter. I believe this starts with careful prioritization to ensure our students and educators have the resources they need to be successful. As a member of the Westfield School Committee, I will work to:
- Promote greater communication between schools and families – Parent involvement via regular communication between our schools and families is crucial to our students’ success. I encourage broader use of all available mediums to bring families closer to their children’s classrooms and allow students to access their school materials from their homes.
- Achieve ideal class sizes – Per 2011 school census data, class sizes in some of our elementary schools are at or nearing 30 students. This is well over the ideal size of 20 or fewer. We need to work to effectively distribute students across our schools to allow for more one-on-one attention in our classrooms.
- Integrate technology into our classrooms – We must prioritize the integration of technology into each learning day, working toward city and state benchmarks for technology literacy and essential outcomes as outlined in our District Improvement Plan.
