Stating “this year has been particularly challenging for my family,” Holyoke School Committee Vice Chair Erin Brunelle submitted her resignation on May 15 to the Holyoke School Committee. Her resignation was effective immediately.
Mayor Garcia expressed his gratitude and appreciation for Ms. Brunelle’s 10 years of service on the School Committee. “I respect her decision to prioritize her family. She has been a dedicated, diligent, effective, committee member and we are sorry to see her leave,” he said.
School Committee member Mildred Lefebvre was appointed interim vice chair of the Holyoke School Committee on Monday, May 20, following a unanimous vote of the nine School Committee members present for the special meeting. Ward 4 Representative Dr. Gloria Caballero-Roca was not in attendance.
According to the Holyoke City Charter, the vacancy Brunelle’s departure creates will be filled by an appointment made jointly by the School Committee, City Council, and Mayor Garcia. The appointee will serve for the remainder of Ms. Brunelle’s 4-year term as an at-large member of the committee. When the term is up in 2027, the at-large seat will be filled by the voters during a regular election.
Ms. Brunelle was re-elected to the School Committee last November.
“This is a crucial interval in the city’s history,” Mayor Garcia said. “We’re in the midst of working with the state to emerge from receivership. We need focused, conscientious individuals on our School Committee.”
The City of Holyoke invites interested residents to apply for interim appointment to the At-large School Committee seat to complete Ms. Brunelle’s term. Those interested are asked to send their letters of interest and resume to:
City of Holyoke Personnel Office
20 Korean Veterans Plaza
Holyoke, MA 01040
Letters of interest and resumes may also be submitted by email.
Applications will be accepted up until June 18, although candidates are encouraged to submit their materials sooner than the deadline. Candidates will be interviewed during a June 18 joint meeting of the Holyoke School Committee, City Council, and Mayor Josh Garcia. The successful applicant will complete Ms. Brunelle's term, which expires in 2027.