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EDITION EASTHAMPTON
$6.9 million override vote set for June 9 Easthampton will hold a special election on June 9 to vote on a proposed $6.9 million Proposition 21/2 override, which would increase property taxes but likely save crucial services throughout the city.
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Corsello Butcheria transitions to subscription model
An Easthampton staple is starting a new journey after spending the last decade serving its signature dishes to downtown patrons.
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NORTHAMPTON
Construction work at Bombyx Center to modernize space Bombyx Center for the Arts & Equity is on the verge of setting the foundation for its future.
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Azarloza slated to be next superintendent By Trent Levakis
tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The School Committee has chosen Annie Azarloza as Northampton Public Schools’ next superintendent following a vote during a special meeting on April 30. Azarloza, who will now enter into final negotiations with Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, has a master’s in education from American Intercontinental University and is currently securing her doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on Health and Wellness from American College of Education. She began her career in education as a teacher in 2005 before eventually working in school administrative positions over the last 15 years between Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She served as superintendent of schools in Rochester, New Hampshire, during the 2024-25 school year and previously served as interim superintendent of the Stratford, Stark, Northumberland School District in New Hampshire. Azarloza’s time as the Rochester superintendent sparked debate among School Committee members due to a recent controversy. The city of Rochester filed a complaint for breach of contract in Strafford County Superior Court against Azarloza following her departure from the district. When she voluntarily resigned from the position at the end of that school year after having been placed on paid administrative leave in February 2025, Azarloza and the city entered into a Settlement Agreement
and Release of Claims on June 23, 2025, which ended her employment and included provisions limiting additional public statements and releasing certain claims. The city alleged in the complaint that Azarloza violated the agreement by making additional public statements, including comments made during a podcast appearance and on social media following her departure. The city also alleged that Azarloza filed a separate complaint against the Rochester School Department despite releasing such claims under the agreement. The lawsuit claimed breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and sought injunctive relief, attorney’s fees and costs. The Rochester School District eventually commissioned a report to investigate Azarloza. The findings, released April 13, cleared Azarloza of the claims. The majority of committee members who voted for her said the report made them comfortable moving forward with her as the district’s next leader. During the committee’s public interview with Azarloza on April 28, she acknowledged this information but could not delve into specifics. Still, she wanted to make a clear statement about the controversy. “I know you all have looked me up, and you know what’s going on,” said Azarloza in reference to news reports on the complaint and subsequent report from her time as Rochester’s superintendent. “I have been fighting a long
Annie Azarloza at a prior Northampton School Committee meeting. Photo credit: Northampton Open Media
time for the release of my investigative report. I want you to know it was finally released on April 13, and I will say there was a reason I was fighting for it. And although I can’t talk about it, I encourage you all to look at it and see what I’ve always said that if there’s one thing I want to be remembered for when I retire, it’s my integrity, and I stand by that.” The Northampton School Committee chose Azarloza from three candidates during its April 30 special meeting, voting 6-3-1. At large member Tiffany Jewell, Alena Bartoli of Ward 1, Amy Martyn of Ward 5, Cindy Mahoney of Ward 6, Valerie Reiss of Ward 7 and Sciarra, the chair, backed Azarloza. Ward 2’s Anat Weisenfreund, Renika Montgomery-Tamakloe of Ward 3 and Michael Stein of Ward 4 voted for candidate Thomas Danehy. At large committee member Robbie Saner Sullivan was the lone vote for the third finalist,
Bethany Silver. Jewell said the district has an “intense need” for transparency and that all the candidates clearly prioritized this, but ultimately, she voted for Azarloza. “Primarily because I’ve been thinking about what are the top priorities and that is around family engagement, and she has a clear plan for that. She’s curious, she’s open to hearing from all stakeholders and wants to have conversations,” said Jewell. “The other thing that is really important to me is listening to the experts in our schools, and I know that our union leadership is advocating for Annie Azarloza, too, and that feels really important to me as we’re hiring an expert to take on our schools, that I listen to the experts that are in our schools right now.” A shared sentiment from the committee was that all three finalists were quality candidates deSee AZARLOZA on page 3