Holyoke residents elected two newcomers to the Holyoke School Committee when they voted in citywide elections on Tuesday, November 4. Residents also re-elected seven current School Committee members.
The seven incumbents who ran unopposed include Gladys Lebrón Martínez (Ward 1), Rosalee Tensley Williams (Ward 2), Yadilette Rivera-Colón (Ward 3), Luis Orlando Isaza (Ward 5), Ellie Wilson (Ward 7), and Devin Sheehan and Mildred Lefebvre (at-large seats).
The two newcomers who will be joining the School Committee on January 1 include:
Jens Michaelsen, who was elected in Ward 5 after securing more votes than Aida Luz Oquendo Oquendo. She will replace John Whelihan, who did not run for re-election this year.
Patty Norris Lubold, who was elected as a write-in candidate in Ward 6 after former candidate Pat Beaudry withdrew from the election. She secured more votes than Christian Carde, who was also a write-in candidate this year. She will replace William Collamore, who did not run for re-election this year. Mr. Collamore is the longest serving elected official in Massachusetts with continuous service as the Ward 6 School Committee representative since 1976.