School Building Committee Vice Chair, Selectboard

Elizabeth has been a special educator for 25 years. She understands the diverse environmental needs of students with various disabilities, including physical, sensory, hearing or vision impairments, and autism. She is also knowledgeable about the necessary teaching and meeting space requirements for these students. Additionally, Elizabeth actively participates in the Town’s Commission on Disabilities to gain insight into the challenges faced by families with special needs in South Hadley. Project aspirations: A design that meets the needs of all learners

Mr. Finkowski represents the Town Appropriations Committee. Project aspirations:  On time and under budget.

School Committee Chair since 2023, member since 2021. Town Meeting member since 2019. Project aspirations: A building that addresses the needs of all students now and in the future.

A community member and project manager with 20 years of experience at Caolo and Bieniek, he has been involved in numerous school projects throughout his career. His experience includes architecture, construction, and / or engineering.His work includes Easthampton High School, Mountain View School, and the Franklin Schools, among others. Additionally, he has contributed to the design of many other local projects. Project aspirations: A school that South Hadley can be proud of and on one that kids are excited to learn in!

Description to come!

Brian has over 15 years of mechanical engineering experience in light commercial, municipal, and industrial projects, focusing on HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection design. Before moving to South Hadley, he worked on the HVAC and plumbing designs for the Plains School project. He also contributed to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design for the Hoosac Valley Middle and High School in Cheshire, MA, creating the energy model that earned LEED Gold certification. In addition, he has worked on various smaller school projects, including boiler replacements and renovations, handling budgeting, design, and construction administration. He looks forward to serving as a committee member. Project aspirations: A building centered around the long-term success of our students.

racie Kennedy brings extensive experience in project management and early education, with a background as an early education administrator. She offers valuable expertise in planning, budgeting, and coordination, contributing to the successful development and long-term maintenance of the District’s building initiatives. Tracie currently serves as a member of the School Committee and sits on the Board of the Holyoke Children’s Museum.

Kevin represents the Town Appropriations Committee and is the vice chair of the Capitol Planning Committee. He brings a wealth of experience; this is his second time serving on a School Building Committee. Overall, he has worked on four building projects, which include the South Hadley Senior Center and the Golf Course Clubhouse. Project aspirations: I am focused on a building that meets the Town’s needs now and in the future and built under budget.

Ryan is a Fire Chief with 18 years of experience in the fire service. He has a strong background in fire code enforcement, building inspections, and ensuring public safety. Throughout his career, he has collaborated closely with architects, contractors, and municipal officials to ensure compliance with both local and national safety codes. Ryan has a deep understanding of construction standards, emergency access requirements, and life safety systems. This expertise enables him to provide valuable insights and oversight during all phases of building planning and development. Project aspirations: My aspiration is to see a school built that meets the current and future needs of our school-aged population, providing a safe, modern, and adaptable learning environment for generations to come.

Scott serves as the liaison for the Town on the Capital Planning Committee. He has represented the town in several school construction projects for another municipality. As a contractor, he has been involved in the construction of numerous school projects. This experience gives him a unique perspective, allowing him to understand both the owner and the contractor roles. Project aspirations:  The finished project needs to be functional, efficient, and with a low cost of maintenance.

As a lifelong member of South Hadley, Diane believes that work done as a volunteer or elected official includes listening to those who ask us to bring forward their voice; assisting in shaping what we desire to maintain as a community for the present and well into the future. Throughout her various roles—whether elected, volunteer, or in her higher education career—she has been recognized for her effectiveness and leadership style, successfully blending sensible operations with fiscal responsibility. Diane has served on the planning board for nine years and has been a town meeting member for nine years, during which she was re-elected for a three-year term. Additionally, she has chaired the Plains School and Senior Center Building Committees and has held the position of treasurer for various PTAs, music parent groups, and numerous other volunteer organizations in town for over 27 years. Project aspirations: It will be important for our committee to blend the educational needs of our students with the care and compassion with an eye towards being fiscally responsible, delivering a solution.

Chuck joined the Town in August 2023 and has approximately 15 years of experience in local government, primarily in Human Resources and Planning and Development. In his role, Chuck supports the Town Administrator by collaborating closely with the school administration on various initiatives. He looks forward to strengthening the partnership between the School and Town Departments, fostering connections to ensure that projects are seen as a community-wide effort involving both the residents and Town operations. Project aspirations: A project that balances cost and value, resulting in a school that honors the community’s pride while inspiring a future where our schools and opportunities for children and families are a cornerstone of South Hadley’s vitality as a place where people of all ages can live, work, and thrive.

As the Superintendent of Schools for South Hadley, Jennifer has the responsibility to lead and support school capital projects, manage procurement processes, and oversee district facilities. She holds a MCPPO certification, which ensures that our projects comply with state and local regulations. Acting as the district's spokesperson on financial and operational matters, she has developed a deep understanding of the school district's evolving needs and how they align with community priorities. She looks forward to bringing this perspective to the work of the building committee. Project aspirations: A functional, future-ready building that reflects our community's priorities, supports student success, and is fiscally responsible.

Teresa has more than 20 years of higher education experience and currently serves as a Dean of Students in student affairs.  holds a Master's Degree in Education as well as a Master's in Mental Health Counseling. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Applied Learning Sciences. With extensive experience in various building projects in higher education, Teresa looks forward to applying this expertise and knowledge to benefit her community.  Project aspirations: I would like to see a design that is a more modern, safe and efficient learning space where students can thrive

Lisa’s experience includes 25 years in municipal and non-profit management. She’s worked successfully with numerous committees and has overseen many construction projects in her career. Project aspirations: Meets needs of students for decades to come.

Principal Wood has been with South Hadley Public Schools for over 13 years, giving her a deep understanding of the needs of both educators and students in the school environment. She aims to apply her practical knowledge of everyday operations to the committee responsible for building considerations. Project aspirations: A building that will provide a safe learning environment where our students can thrive.