Nine people step up for vacant School Committee seat

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Nine candidates have submitted self-nominations to fill the vacant seat on New Bedford’s School Committee, including former city councilors, education professionals, and other well-known civic leaders.

This Wednesday, a joint convention of the City Council and School Committee will vote on which of these nominees will serve on the School Committee through 2027, the remaining term of the late Bruce Oliveira. 

The self-nomination process yielded significantly higher interest than last year’s election season, when two School Committee members did not run for reelection. In those elections, newcomers Richard Porter and Von Marie Moniz replaced the outgoing Colleen Dawicki and Ross Grace Jr. The incumbent Melissa Costa also won reelection.

From among the nine candidates, the joint convention of New Bedford’s elected leaders will select one person to round out the new School Committee, which holds its first meeting of the year on Jan. 12. 

Here are the nine candidates, presented in alphabetical order, who will be considered.

Eldric Abreu — an engaged citizen promises to listen

A lifelong New Bedford resident, graduate of New Bedford High, and a parent, Abreu has served on a number of local boards and committees, including local groups such as New Bedford Coalition to Save Our Schools, WHALE, NB Resilient, and the Cape Verdean Recognition Committee.

Abreu writes, “I would approach School Committee service with humility, a listening ear, and a strong commitment to collaboration with fellow members, educators, families, students, and community partners.” 

Read Eldric Abreu’s full statement of interest here.

Erin Alvarado — an active parent promises a bright future

Alvarado says she is raising six children in New Bedford and has “a vested interest in ensuring a bright future for all students.” 

Alvarado points to experience serving as the vice president of the Parent Booster Club at Alma del Mar and a van driver for a special education student. Alvarado writes, “there is a pressing need to reconsider the impact of technology on learning, encouraging greater parental involvement, and fostering a collaborative relationship between parents and educators.”

Read Erin Alvarado’s full statement of interest here. 

Lee Blake — civic leader points to policy experience

Blake, the executive director of the New Bedford Historical Society, a former officer of the Economic Development Council, and a former leader of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Education Services, says she has the experience to succeed as a School Committee member.

Blake writes, “I am a retired educator who began my career as an educator years ago at New Bedford High School. Over a period of 30 years, I have been a teacher and educational program administrator reaching out to adults and youth in New Bedford and New York.”

Read Lee Blake’s full statement of interest here.

Henry Bousquet — former city councilor raises hand for service

Bousquet, a culinary instructor at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech and former Ward 3 city councilor, said that his years of public service make him a strong candidate.

“My primary desire is to continue contributing in additional meaningful ways to the education of New Bedford’s future generation of leaders,” Bousquet wrote. “I am eager for the opportunity to serve this community again and re-dedicate my efforts to the success of all our students and the integrity of our public school system.”

Read Henry Bousquet’s full statement of interest here.

Marcus Coward — recent candidate says he’s the most prepared

Coward, a member of the New Bedford Human Rights Commission and recent candidate for School Committee, said he has put in the leg-work to prepare for this role. 

“I received 3,182 votes in November, and am the only one amongst the nominees who campaigned for this position,” Coward wrote. “I have been to nearly every school committee meeting this year, including the last School Committee meeting, the first one since Bruce’s passing. This is something that all my fellow nominees cannot say. I was the first to show interest in this position. This was not an impulsive decision, and something I have been considering and working toward since 2024.”

Read Marcus Coward’s full statement of interest here. 

Eric Paul Dorman — a minister and court coordinator

Dorman serves as the lead pastor of the Family Worship Center in Lakeville while also working full time in the New Bedford District Court as a Specialty Court Coordinator, overseeing court services to probationers with substance use disorders and mental health issues.

Dorman writes, “I have the privilege of being connected within our community on many levels. I am a member of the Community Crisis Intervention Team, as well as I work with Rev. David Lima as a chaplain for the New Bedford Police Department. As a grandfather whose grandson attends our public schools, I am highly involved and invested with his education.”

Read Eric Paul Dorman’s full statement of interest here.

Jose Galarza Jr. — former higher ed. professional says he has the skills

Galarza, who worked for over two decades at UMass Dartmouth and Bridgewater State, says he has “hands-on experience in financial management, contracts, grants, procurement, and operational oversight.” 

“The most meaningful titles I hold are not professional ones,” Galarza writes. “I am a family man. I am a man of faith. I am from New Bedford, and I am for New Bedford.”

Read Jose Galarza Jr.’s full statement of interest here. 

Brad Markey — former city councilor touts budget experience

Markey, the former Ward 1 city councilor, says he has experience overseeing public budgets in New Bedford. His connection to the schools is deeper, as both parents were educators in New Bedford. 

Markey writes, “Growing up we were taught the importance of an education, that same importance my wife and I passed on to our daughters and I would strive to bring that same sense of importance to the students of New Bedford. The most important thing for our students is for them to know that they have the ability to get a great education here in New Bedford.”

Read Brad Markey’s full statement of interest here.

Cheryl Viveiros — a 30-year teacher, now parent, wants to represent the community

Viveiros says that she “chose to work in the community in which I live to be able to give back.” She says she will improve communication and bring sensitivity to the needs of all learners. 

“All members of the school committee must be responsive to our constituents, sensitive to the diverse needs of all learners,” Viveiros wrote. “A member of the school committee must be an advocate for all students and their learning and must be an ambassador for the education provided by our schools.”

Read Cheryl Viveiros’ full statement of interest here. 

How the special convention will work

Mayor Jon Mitchell will preside over the joint convention as chairman. A set of proposed rules, which follow similar procedures to most City Council meetings, has been made public and will likely govern the meeting.  

Any member of the convention, including the chair, may formally nominate one (and only one) person for the vacant School Committee seat. Once all nominations have been made, each nominee present will have the opportunity to address the convention for up to three minutes. 

The convention will then have the opportunity to debate before voting. Once a roll call vote has begun, debate must cease. 

In the roll-call votes, each member of the convention will say the name of the nominee they are voting for. If any nominee receives the majority (nine votes), they will win the election. If necessary, multiple votes can be held, and nominees may withdraw their candidacy between rounds of voting. 

Once a nominee wins election, they will immediately become a member of the School Committee. 

Email Colin Hogan at chogan@newbedfordlight.org

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