North Adams Boards Unanimously Elect New School Committee Member
Alexandra Di Addezio is congratulated by city and school officials.
DiAddezio described herself as an "ardent public school advocate" who worked as an English teacher and college counselor at a high school in the Bronx, N.Y. She holds masters' degrees in English secondary education and in mental health counseling, and now works as therapist for students at Williams College.
"I'm passionate about service and collaboration, and would really be eager to bring that energy into the North Adams School Committee," she said, adding that she will have two children in the school system.
"I also noticed a growing number of folks in the community choosing to leave the public school system for alternative options, and I'm really eager to join in the work of attracting families to stay."
She said she'd been thinking about how she could serve, but was unsure about running in an election. Seeing this opening, she said, "felt like something serendipitous."
The last School Committee member elected this way was Alyssa Tomkowicz in 2023.
DiAddezio and fellow candidates Jackie DeGiorgis, Kayla Sullivan-Lane and Eric Wilson presented their reasons why they would be the best candidate to replace the departed Richard Alcombright.
The seat was won on Nov. 4 by Chelsey Lyn Ciolkowski but she had been hired in the school system and could not serve and resigned her seat.
Each candidate was given three minutes to make their statements and 15 minutes to answer questions from councilors and committee members about priorities, contracts and teaching experience.
DeGiorgis is a retired middle school and Drury High School science teacher holds a master's degree in secondary education with a concentration in brain-based instruction.
Her interests includes strong support of the arts in the schools, adding that her passion for acting is direct result of her experience in city schools.
"I realized something absolutely amazing," she said. "Every wonderful thing that I have had happen to me in my life is a direct result of my connections with North Adams public schools — a husband I adore, a fulfilling career that I absolutely loved, children I am so very proud of, a pastime that I am extremely passionate about."
Kayla Sullivan-Lane has taught at all levels, from elementary through secondary, in private and public schools, and in Texas, Tokyo and the Republic of Georgia. She is currently teaching at Stamford School in Vermont. She and her husband have been foster parents and they have two children in the school system.
"No matter where I've gone, kids are basically the same simple young humans trying to figure out the world they find themselves in. And I love helping them figure out their place of it," she said.
"I want to strengthen the partnership between [North Adams Public Schools] and the community. I believe public education is the cornerstone of our town, and if we want our town to thrive, our schools must first be places that are safe, inclusive, challenging, empathetic and consistent."
Wilson is a two-time candidate for School Committee. He noted he was not a teacher but felt his experience advocating for disabled citizens and speaking with students about the challenges he's faced was a method of teaching.
"When I grew up, we talked to each other, but we never did talk about about people with disability and that is so important today," he said. "Kids are getting bullied, and teachers gotta stand up and say, 'enough is enough.' That's why I want to be on the School Committee."
He said his platform is representing people with disabilities, children and adults.
"That's my calling. I'm doing that right now," said Wilson.
When asked about why they didn't run in the election, DeGiorgis said she'd recently retired, and DiAddezio and Soloman-Lane that they were a little unsure of how to run in an election.
"I feel so sad that there's only one seat," said School Committee member Emily Daunis. "Each of you has amazing qualities that we would love to see represented also on the School Committee. So please do please, just whoever is selected, tonight, please know that you all represented extremely well."
She and other officials encouraged the candidates who weren't selected to run in the next election. President Ashley Shade and Councilor Keith Bona said the choice was going to be very difficult as the candidates were so impressive.
School Committee member Cody Chamberlain began to nominate DeGiorgis, saying her "experience and perspective" was in line with what the committee needed, but Mayor Jennifer Macksey halted him to see if there was more discussion.
Several others spoke and once discussion ended, School Committee member David Sookey nominated DiAddezio, which was quickly seconded by committee member Tara Jacobs.
DiAddezio received yes votes from all the officials, negating the need for another round of nominations. She was sworn in immediately by City Clerk Tina Leonesio.
