EASTHAMPTON - City School Committee members have opted for continuity in leadership, voting in Peter Gunn as chairman of the seven-member board for the second year in a row. Members elected Gunn to the chairmanship by a vote of 5-0 at a special meeting Jan. 3.

Gunn, who is starting his third term on the school board, abstained. Mayor Michael Tautznik, who is on the School Committee, was not present.

In municipal elections in November, city voters reelected Gunn and fellow incumbents LaDonna Crow, Lori Ingraham, Bonnie Katusich and Nancy Skyes to two-year terms on the School Commmittee. Newcomer Debora Lusnia was elected to a two-year seat that opened up when Eric Yates did not seek reelection this fall.

When asked about his priorities, Gunn said the "ultimate plan is to continue to succeed despite regulatory and financial obstacles" facing the public schools.

Despite shrinking resources, Gunn - who teaches history at the Williston Northampton School - emphasized that Easthampton schools "continue to do a good job."

"We know we need to make improvements and we have initiatives under way in math and writing instruction to do that," he added.

At last week's special meeting, School Committee members reelected Crow as board secretary and Ingraham as Easthampton's representative to the region's Collaborative for Educational Services.

User-friendly

The school department's website is starting the new year with a new look.

The product of long months of work by a special committee, the revamped schools website is "more user-friendly and also more pleasing to the eye," said John Schott, technology director for Easthampton schools.

In addition to videos and photos of students engaged in school programs and activities, the redesigned site offers a "Quick Links" section that provides detailed contact information for school administrators and staff.

"That was the biggest complaint prior to this, that those numbers weren't easy to find," Schott explained.

It also has easy links to a password-protected "Parent Portal," where parents can check on classroom assignments and test scores - as well as news updates, school calendars and information about school policies and programs.

Reaching consensus on a new design for the website took some time and the added features will require more frequent updating. "But it's well worth it," Schott said.

Abigail Vanasse, a technology teacher at White Brook Middle School, and Easthampton High School science teacher Shawn Sheehan are sharing the duties of webmaster for the school department. according to Schott.

Free MCAS classes

Holyoke Community College is offering free MCAS preparation classes to high school students who need help passing the statewide standardized test. Along with free test preparation classes, HCC's MCAS Transitional Program also offers students help with creating resumes, setting up internships and taking College Placement tests. Starting Jan. 23, classes will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for six weeks in Room 154 the Donahue Building on HCC's campus; and at the same time on Tuesday and Thursday at the Picknelly Adult and Family Education Center located above the Holyoke Transit Center on Maple Street in Holyoke.

The program is free to all accepted students. Application forms are available online at www.hcc.edu/about-hcc/mcas or by calling or emailing Christine Holbrook at 552-2781, cholbrook@hcc.edu.

Barbara Solow can be reached at BSolow@gazettenet.com.