In the Spring of 2009, it was with mixed feelings that I decided I was not going to run for re-election to the Springfield School Committee. I had been privately agonizing over my decision for several months. On the one hand, I felt I had served long enough and had accomplished several significant achievements of which I was extremely proud, not the least of which was having played an instrumental role in selecting two superintendents who moved our school system forward and organizing the Urban Division of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). But, on the other hand, I absolutely loved serving on the school committee and I felt that it was my calling—my way of being of service—and, ultimately, my way of giving back to a school system that had nurtured me and helped mold me into the accomplished individual I had become.
As I weighed the pros and cons of continuing on this journey, I knew that I also owed a debt of gratitude that I couldn’t begin to repay to my family—especially to my husband who had been my rock and who never ever gives up since he honestly doesn’t know how to or even what it means—and to my friends and supporters who continued to be with me even after their first effort to get me elected turned into a hard-fought, ugly and purely political battle, one that ended up spanning a period of eight years before I was ready to run again! (See pg. 2 for “The Rest Of The Story”.)
But this story is about the person who took my place, my daughter-in-law, Denise (Estrada-Rosemond) Hurst. I had finally made my decision and after 12 years on the school committee while actively representing Springfield on the MASC, it was time for me to retire. With a heavy heart, I blurted out my decision to my family at an informal gathering only to have my sadness turn into pure joy and delight as Denise earnestly said, “I always wanted to serve on the school committee.” And the rest is history!
Denise has brought a passion, a dedication and a commitment to our students and their families that makes me proud. She is always available and is deliberative in her decision making thus ensuring that the best interests of our students are always in the forefront of any decision and every vote she takes. She is always willing to work collaboratively with her colleagues but will not—under any circumstances—go against her fundamental principles.
Her mother, Maria Estrada, and her father, Gerald Rosemond, along with her very large extended family on both sides, taught and nurtured her well. Despite her many professional, voluntary and familial obligations—both sons, Justin Jr. and Jackson Douglas, who are Springfield Public School students, are extremely active as is her husband!—she remains the one that we all know we can turn to when something—anything—is needed. She cares deeply about her family—her grandparents, her parents, her siblings, her aunts and uncles, and her many, many cousins. Her friends are friends for life and become part of the extended family and she even puts up with us, her Hurst in-laws!
I must admit, though, for me to see how involved Denise has become with MASC is truly heartwarming. Former school committee member, Allene Curto, explained to me how important it was for Springfield to be involved with this organization so that we could have a voice in state and national education decisions and I committed to her I would do so after I was elected and Denise made that same commitment to me once she was elected.
MASC’s purpose is “to provide close cooperation among school committees in Massachusetts. It works to:
● Study problems related to public school organization and administration.
● Encourage legislation that benefits schools, children, and citizens of the Commonwealth.
● Develop and promote projects and programs that advance public education.
● Communicate the goals, functions, and needs of schools to the public.”
I am overjoyed to say that Denise has not only embraced this organization during her time on the school committee but has risen through the ranks to the position of President, 2026. Her many contributions to MASC are too numerous to list but I will note that in addition to her many and varied roles on the state organization, she has also attended and presented on their behalf at many National School Boards Association (NSBA) Annual Conferences and has represented the organization at the National Delegate Assembly.
Locally, she has served as Vice Chair of our school committee (due to Springfield’s strong mayor form of government, the mayor gets to serve as the Chair), Chair of the Curriculum & Programs and Legislative & Contracts committees, and as a member of the Budget & Finance, Vocational Education, Technology, and Parent Concerns committees.
It obviously goes without saying that we are all very proud of the person Denise is, as well as her many accomplishments and the commitment she makes to Springfield’s school children and their families day in and day out and as many of us as is possible plan to be in attendance at the MASC/MASS Joint Conference in November when she is officially voted in as the MASC President for 2026.
And for me, there are simply no words to describe how much I appreciate her grabbing hold of that torch, which meant so much to me, when I was about to let it go, and running with it and taking it to unimagined heights! You go, girl!! ■