Easthampton school board lauds superintendent pick

Michelle Balch, currently Springfield’s chief instructional officer, has been chosen as Easthampton’s next superintendent.

Michelle Balch, currently Springfield’s chief instructional officer, has been chosen as Easthampton’s next superintendent. CONTRIBUTED

By ALEXA LEWIS

Staff Writer

Published: 12-18-2024 2:46 PM

EASTHAMPTON — After a “rigorous” search process, the Easthampton School Committee has selected longtime Springfield Public School District educator Michelle Balch as the district’s new superintendent. The committee voted unanimously to offer the position to Balch Tuesday night with the full support of the Superintendent Search Committee.

“I think this is like a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” Balch told the Gazette on Wednesday. “What a privilege to serve the Easthampton community.”

Easthampton received 10 applications for the superintendent job. Balch was chosen over two other finalists, Cynthia Kennedy and Mary Jane Rickson, both of whom also impressed the School Committee with their professionalism, authenticity and qualifications. Balch will replace interim Superintendent Maureen Binienda, whose contract will expire at the end of the school year, pending successful contract negotiations.

“It’s not something that they didn’t have,” School Committee member Eric Guyette said in reference to the other finalists. “It’s that I saw something that Dr. Balch has.”

During Balch’s public interview last week, School Committee members were taken with her ability to learn the strengths and weaknesses of the district intimately in a short period of time, as well as her humanized, individualized approach to student success.

In their deliberations Tuesday, committee members recalled Balch’s opening statement at the interview, in which she related being an average student who didn’t feel seen until she was recognized by an educator she admired, and was encouraged to join the Model United Nations club at her school. She said the moment changed her life, and that making students feel seen in that way so they can unlock their full potential has become her “why” as an educational leader.

“She is a very people-based, authentic person,” said committee member Linda Markee.

Committee members also lauded Balch’s clear preparation for the role, as she presented them with a 30-60-90-day entry plan when she introduced herself — all wrapped up in a maroon folder, Easthampton’s school color.

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“There was a feeling that this is a person who is brilliant … this was a person who seemed truly dedicated to deep connection,” said committee member Ben Hersey.

But it wasn’t just her story or her preparation that sold Easthampton officials on Balch’s fit for the district. Throughout the search process, School Committee Chair Laura Scott said, Balch’s colleagues continued to speak very highly of her — and former colleagues who no longer work with her in the Springfield schools made the trip to Easthampton, sometimes from across the state, to sing her praises.

Balch has spent her entire career working in the Springfield Public School District, working her way up to prominent leadership positions over almost 20 years. She began her career in Springfield as a special education teacher in 2005, and has since served as a senior administrator, interim superintendent, and in other administrative roles. Currently, she serves as the district’s chief instructional officer.

Scott said the only question about Balch that continued to nag at her mind was “why Easthampton?”

When asked this question during her interview though, Balch’s answer more than satisfied the committee’s curiosity. She said that working in a district as large as Springfield leaves less opportunity for close, individual connections or truly seeing the fruits of her labors. She believes that her individualized approach to education would serve a smaller, close-knit community like Easthampton well, and allow her to get to know each and every student.

“I think the universe has owed Easthampton a favor for a minute,” said Scott. “And she has come to town to pay it up.”

Scott and members of the search committee emphasized the rigor and attention to detail that were prioritized throughout this search process, after the district’s last superintendent search put Easthampton in the national spotlight when superintendent candidate Vito Perrone’s job offer was rescinded over his use of the term “ladies” in an email to district officials. Perrone subsequently was hired as the superintendent of the Hampshire Regional School District, and filed a lawsuit in October against the Easthampton officials involved in his former hiring process.

Subsequently, the position was offered to Erica Faginski-Stark, who withdrew her candidacy after city students voiced concern over alleged “transphobic rhetoric” she had posted online.

Committee members were excited by the initiatives that Balch mentioned implementing in Springfield, and potentially bringing to Easthampton — such as the “Portrait of a Graduate” program, which emphasizes community engagement in building a vision for the district’s future, and “Student Summits” where students speak their minds and administrators are simply there to listen.

Search committee member and Easthampton High School sophomore Walter Baker also noted Balch’s mention of a “primary person model,” through which each student is guaranteed to have an adult at school who they can approach with any challenges they may be facing.

“We have unanimous input from community members, including students, that this person is a good fit for our district,” said committee member Megan Harvey. “I don’t take that lightly.”

Balch said that the search process was “inspiring” from start to finish, and that she has been encouraged by Easthampton’s commitment to finding the right superintendent.

In her first 30 days in office, Balch said she plans to get to know the community more deeply, soliciting community input and “getting as many voices to the table as possible” to determine district priorities moving forward.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.