Copyright MassLive
HOLYOKE — Gladys Lebron-Martinez, 66, is running for a seat on the Ward 1 School Committee. She previously served on the committee for three terms beginning in 2004. Lebron-Martinez, who also held a seat as a city councilor for five terms, wants to increase the performance of Holyoke Public Schools to ensure it effectively offers the services students need. Ahead of Tuesday, Nov. 4, The Republican reached out to all candidates for the opposed City Council and School Committee seats to answer a short questionnaire. Find more candidates and responses in the past week’s print editions or online at masslive.com/topic/election. Name: Gladys Lebron-Martinez Age: 66 Address: 224 Elm St. Profession: Community engagement coordinator Position running for: Ward 1 School Committee Introductory statement: I was appointed to the Ward 1 School Board in October 2025 after the candidate resigned from his position in the spring. I am not a stranger to the system and to the community of Holyoke. I had previously served on the committee for three terms from 2004 to 2010. And I then ran for city councilor, won, and served from 2011 to 2022. I am a member in the finance and policy and governance committees. I have invested decades as a community organizer, civic leader committee in various nonprofit organizations. I am a grandmother to nine grandchildren, some currently attending the public schools, and a great-grandmother to three, who someday will attend Holyoke Public Schools. They are all the more reason to serve and to be a voice for other families. I am a proud mother of three graduates of Holyoke High and one graduate of Holyoke Street School, and it’s why I believe in our public schools. What letter grade would you give the school system? Why? The grade I would give our school system is C+. We just gained district control after being under a receiver for 10 years, and are transitioning to full control — actively work towards the adjustment necessary for success. We are also under the search of a new superintendent. We need to attract more teachers who are prepared to serve children in an urban district, and are also in need of pathologists and psychologists — roles that are experiencing shortages. What is the biggest challenge the schools face? The search of new superintendent. The uncertainty of federal and state funding budget cuts. The school budget is roughly two-thirds of the city budget, and there are concerns about federal and state assistance dropping. How should the School Committee address any loss of funding? One of the priorities of our district is to work towards maintaining as many services needed to provide the adequate education for the students. We cannot afford to lose funding, with one of the biggest district expenses being transportation. With the MCAS no longer a condition of graduation what should the diploma requirements be? We should make sure every graduate is able to read or write by the third grade, and also have the necessary life skills for college or a career. It’s important to have students complete a capstone experience — an internship in the community.
