With schools back in local hands, voters choose new faces

HOLYOKE — With control of city schools recently restored to local hands, voters on Tuesday reshaped the School Committee — though only 18% of them showed up to do it.

According to unofficial results from the Holyoke city clerk's office, voters in four wards chose new voices for the School Committee.

In Ward 1, longtime community advocate Gladys Lebrón Martínez held her seat with 299 votes. Rosalee Tensley Williams emerged victorious in Ward 2 (219 votes), while Yadilette Rivera-Colón claimed Ward 3 (623 votes). In Ward 4, Luis Orlando Isaza earned 340 votes to secure his spot.

Ward 5 saw one of the night's closest contests: Navy veteran and Holyoke parent Jens Michaelsen edged out Aida Luz Oquendo Oquendo by 207 votes, with 609 votes to 402.

"Let's get to work! Send me your ideas!" Michaelsen said in a statement Tuesday, calling the win an honor.

Ward 6 turned into a write-in showdown, after candidate Pat Beaudry withdrew. Patty Norris Lubold (230 votes) also beat Christian Carde (153 votes) for a School Committee seat.

Eleanor Mary Wilson led Ward 7 with 966 votes, while incumbents Devin Sheehan and Mildred Lefebvre retained their at-large seats with 3,793 and 3,528 votes, respectively.

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