School Race Heats Up with Sullivan Taking Nomination Papers

Haverhill School Committee President Gail M. Sullivan is one of the panelists. (WHAV News photograph.)

The race for Haverhill School Committee is heating up with the entrance of Gail M. Sullivan into the race.

Sullivan came within 51 votes of winning a seat on the school committee in 2013, securing 4,439 votes. She joins incumbents Scott W. Wood Jr. and Shaun P. Toohey, as well as newcomer Michael Shurman and former City Councilor Sven A. Amirian. At least one new member will be elected to the school committee member since two-term Committeewoman Susan D. Danehy told WHAV Friday she is not running for re-election.

Sullivan was born and raised in Worcester and received her Bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She also received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Suffolk University. After teaching for two years, she returned to school to obtain a master’s degree. She has gone on to hold positions as assistant principal, high school principal, director of instruction, assistant superintendent and superintendent.

She moved to Haverhill after receiving an offer to teach at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, where she taught for 14 years. She and her husband, Joseph LeBlanc, have one son, also a teacher at Whittier Tech.

Sullivan placed fourth for three available seats in 2013. She was just barely edged out by School Committeeman Paul A. Magliocchetti who secured 4,490 votes. The 2013 victors, who also included top vote-getter Joseph J. Bevilacqua and newcomer Maura L. Ryan-Ciardiello, have terms expiring in two years.

On the city council side, all incumbents except John A. Michitson have taken out nomination papers. Candidates have until 5 p.m., July 31, to obtain nomination papers and until Tuesday, Aug. 4, to return them.

2 thoughts on “School Race Heats Up with Sullivan Taking Nomination Papers

  1. It would be interesting to hear her opinion on the AP / Early College debacle at the high school…considering she’s related to a graduate of the Early College program!