EASTHAMPTON — Voters reelected School Committee incumbents Laura Scott, Megan Ward Harvey, Sam Hunter, Eric Guyette and Linda Markee, while welcoming one newcomer, Bonnie Atkins, in Tuesday’s municipal election.
Atkins received 2,621 votes, beating out two candidates running for a first term: Allison Malinowski with 2,484 votes and Paul McNeil with 2,245 votes.
Of the incumbents, Harvey received the most votes with 3,082, Scott received 2,959, Guyette 2,937, Hunter 2,892 and Markee 2,813.
Atkins is a social worker and advocate for public education, having lived in Easthampton since 2006, with a 10th grader currently attending Easthampton High School. Having a background in behavioral therapy, she has expertise working with suicidal teens, helping run a treatment program to provide aid to them during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a candidates forum, Atkins noted that her mother, a fourth grade teacher, always said public education is at the root of democracy, a statement with which she fully agrees.
Guyette is a sixth-grade teacher with 18 years of experience in public education, having served the past two years on the School Committee. With two children in Easthampton Public Schools (EPS), he hopes to make the schools the best they can be for his and all children. He is proud to have been a part of the hiring process for Superintendent Michelle Balch and feels Easthampton has seen positive change following the construction of the high school and Mountain View School.
Harvey is entering her third, consecutive term on the committee, serving as the secretary and chair of the finance subcommittee. She is a mother of three children in the district and a member of the Public Health and Health Sciences faculty at Springfield College. Her favorite part about her work on the committee is connecting with families, especially students, helping to elevate their voices.
Hunter is entering his third term on the committee, currently serving as the chair of the policy subcommittee. A father to a fourth grader at Mountain View, Hunter has lived in Easthampton for about 12 years. His top priorities are special education, alleviating child poverty and responding to the federal government’s threat to public education. He works as a state employee for the Department of Developmental Services where he coordinates a family support program.
Markee is entering her second term on the committee, bringing a lifelong passion for public education and deep roots in the Easthampton community. With a grandchild currently attending EHS, and another who recently graduated, she said she cares about the success of the district. As a former educator, Markee said she is committed to ensuring every child feels heard, supported, and has equitable access to the knowledge and opportunities necessary to thrive.
Scott has lived with her family in Easthampton for nearly 20 years, with two children as part of the district — one graduating this past spring and one attending Easthampton High School. She first joined the committee in 2013 serving for two terms, before leaving and rejoining in 2023. As a former educator, Scott is committed to protecting and improving public education, viewing it as a foundation to a free society. She said she is exceedingly proud of the work of the committee during her past term, having made crucial, collaborative decisions.
Voting numbers were updated on Nov. 19, after results became official.
