education Archives — Western Mass Politics & Insight

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STCC’s Outgoing President Will Start Cooking at UMass Later This Month…

Nearing the end of his at times controversial tenure as STCC’s president, Cook told affiliates he was “honored” to share an update. He forwarded a message Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst had sent campus affiliates. The provost announced that Cook would be taking on the role of Vice Provost for Lifelong, Interdisciplinary, and Digital Programming.

A Rural Resignation, the 413’s First Open 2026 Race…and Perhaps an Long Vacancy…

Western Mass appears to have its first open legislative contest of the 2026 cycle. Deerfield Rep Natalie Blais announced last week that she would be resigning on January 19 to take a job with UMass-Amherst. It is unclear whether there will actually be a special election for the seat. Either way, a large field could easily bubble up from the 18 communities the sprawling 1st Franklin District.

With Transition Near, Simmering STCC Faculty Again Call out Cook, but Flame Trustees, Too…

It was the week after Thanksgiving, but the Faculty Union at Springfield Technical Community College was still cooking. On December 5, members issued their latest vote of no confidence in STCC president John Cook. At first glance, it looked like leftovers. It was the third such a vote against him. Yet, it was not the same recipe.

Briefings: Chicopee Fills School Committee Vacancy with Literacy Education Prof…

UPDATED 11/20/24 8:23AM: To include comment from McCarthy. On Monday in Chicopee, history did not repeat. Two dozen years ago, a joint session of the City Council and School Committee could not agree on who should fill a vacant at-large Committee seat. Voters had to

Putnam Graduation School Committee Springfield

Warwick Bows out Early As Outrage over Disparagement of Monroe Naylor Crests…

A deeply controversial selection process for his successor had not totally poisoned the well of good-will Daniel Warwick had accumulated over decades in city schools. He was about three weeks from the close of his career. Then it all came crashing down in less than 48 hours.

Springfield Schools’ Warwick on Tape Denigrating Board Member Weeks Before Exit…

An audio recording has surfaced in which the outgoing superintendent trashed a School Committee member. Superintendent Daniel Warwick calls relatives of at-large member LaTonia Monroe Naylor “scumbags” and “crazy.”

In the recording, Warwick was ostensibly speaking with Chief Schools Officer Kim Wells, a finalist for superintendent.

Civil Rights Group Calls on Springfield to Hit Reset Button on Schools Chief Search…

The intrigue and protest that has consumed the selection process for the Superintendent of Schools in Springfield reached a new level Wednesday with an outside call to restart the process from the group Lawyers for Civil Rights.

A Wild, Wild Westfield Ride for Rep, in an Uncommon Time…

WESTFIELD—The special senate election here did not have much drama. For much of the official campaign and nearly a year before that unofficially, the political soothsayers felt it was then-Rep John Velis’ to lose. They were right. There were prophecies about his former House seat,

Analysis: With School Funding Debate, Holyoke Reckons with Much More…

UPDATED 9:37PM: On Tuesday night, the Holyoke City Council voted to advance the two-school debt exclusion question to voters on November 5. HOLYOKE—Not quite two weeks ago, supporters of a debt exclusion ballot question rallied on the High Street lawn outside City Hall here. Buffeting

Briefings: Scholarship in Memory of Dave Vigneault Announced…

UPDATED 5/20/19 10:08AM: To clarify that the scholarship is for Springfield residents. Friends and family of the late Dave Vigneault, a former state representative and mentor to pols and activists, have laid out plans to carry on his legacy. On Friday, they announced a scholarship

Springfield…and the World…

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