Candidate Statements: Fairhaven School Committee/2 seats

Erik Andersen

Hello Fairhaven, 

My name is Erik Andersen, and I am running for re-election for the Fairhaven School Committee. I was honored four years ago when I was elected to serve this Town as your School Committee representative. 

During my tenure, we have achieved milestones like Unified Sports, State recognition for our AP Department, revamp of the Music Department, and the after-school enrichment programs. We also, just recently, became the first fully accredited school district in the Commonwealth, thanks to our dedicated teachers and administrators. This is truly an amazing achievement for all of us!   

As a licensed mental health therapist, I understand the importance of emotional development for students as well as the importance of emotional regulation. My career involves working in fields that require transparency, such as crisis work, ED social work, and currently at a substance abuse clinic. 

In my roles as a father, husband, and therapist, I prioritize passion, integrity, and support for public schools, including Fairhaven Schools. I believe in the equity of high standards for all students and providing each student with what they need individually to achieve those standards. When we talk about “real life experience” I deal with Anxiety and Dyslexia. I understand, as a parent, what it takes to advocate for your child for a 504 or IEP.   

I look forward to connecting with everyone and sharing my passion for our schools. I have always tried to show up and do my part for this town, either at the Town Meeting, volunteering time as a Mariners Soccer coach, doing local fundraisers with my family, or as a member of the School Committee. I bring high standards and dedication to our school district, where we continue to excel despite limited resources. My door is always open, and I hope to keep serving our community. 

Kelly McGowan Ochoa

My name is Kelly McGowan Ochoa and I am running for one of the seats on the School Committee. I have been a lifelong resident of the SouthCoast and raised my children here in Fairhaven. I am well qualified to represent the residents of Fairhaven on the school committee. Let me share some of the reasons why.

Education is one of the best gifts we can give our children. I believe that all students have the right to receive the best possible education and opportunities. Being an educator for over 30 years, I feel like I can bring a new perspective to the school commit­tee. I have also been an active participant in our town as an elected  town meeting member for several years. Currently I am a member of the town’s Belonging Commit­tee. I feel that, with this experience, I have demonstrated the leadership qualities needed to be a school committee member.

As a school committee member I will work to ensure that the school system meets the evolving needs of students and families. One of the jobs of a school committee is to ensure responsible and transparent use of school funds and to ensure that taxpayer money is being used effectively.  My experience as a town meeting member, voting on the annual budget and other financial matters and as a taxpayer I am able and committed to being that voice.

Over 30 years ago, I served as a Peace Corps volunteer working in Honduras. One of the things that I did while working with teachers there was to find creative ways to develop materials for their classrooms with little to no money. This is a lesson that has never left me. As a teacher now, I am always seeking creative ways to enhance my lessons with little to no money. And as a member of the School Committee I will do the same.

As an educator, I know that it is important to promote a safe, healthy, and welcoming school environment for everyone. I would like to be a voice for change and progress in Fairhaven while working to ensure that the school system meets the evolving needs of students and families. I hope you will consider voting for me for School Committee on April 7th. 

Pattie Pacella

Hello, Fairhaven! My name is Pattie Pacella and I kindly ask for your vote on Monday, April 7, 2025, for me for the School Com-mit­tee! I grew up in Fairhaven and am proud to be a FHS 1987 graduate. 

I am very familiar with how Fairhaven works, as I was employed by the Town for a little less than ten years. I started in the Planning Department, then worked in Assessor’s, and ended my career with Fairhaven in the Building Department. 

I have been very involved with Fairhaven as my commu­nity. I am on my second year with the Finance Committee currently. I have been on the Town Government Study Committee, the Community Preservation Committee and have been a Town Meeting member for more than 10 years. I am a member of the Fairhaven Rotary Club, and have held the position of past president. 

I believe in putting 100% in learning, listening and asking questions if I’m going to commit to being on a committee for the better of the Town. 

I am choosing to run for School Committee because it will allow me to Learn, Collaborate, and be a Resource to parents. I would love to see a school support program/ group to share resources to parents with children who have special abilities. I am a proud MOM to my daughter Grace, who has special abilities! 

There are so many resources available and I look back at when my daughter was just three and had her first testing to get into early intervention in the Fairhaven Public School System; it was a frightening experience as I didn’t know (what I know today) about how to navigate the system. I think I would be a great asset to new parents who are looking at the school system without a clue on how to navigate or even ask the right questions. 

I am willing to assist parents learn and navigate what they need to to better understand without the frightening (and lots of tears) that I have experienced as a parent with a child with special abilities. My experience is unique to my child and our situation, but if I can assist a parent and welcome them to the Fairhaven School System, that would be my focus. 

I also believe there should be more transparency among the SC to the Town residents without the negative connotations, from both sides! I believe we are fighting the wrong fight as the football field and the shed are not the fights I’d like to see or hear about; our students are #1, encouraging ALL abilities to be the best they can be. We all learn differently and we need to remember that. 

As a community, we need to review the town budget and ask questions. We are losing good teachers to other districts and our goal should be to help keep them. 

I want to learn more about net school spending and assist in educating our Town residents where their tax dollars are going. 

Let’s make the discussions we are having constructive! 

Brendalee Smith

My name is Brendalee Smith, and I am honored to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Fairhaven School Committee. Over the past year, I have proudly served as an advocate for collaborative communica­tion, academic growth, and financial stewardship, ensuring our schools thrive. I stepped into this role to complete a departing member’s term, but one year is simply not enough to implement lasting change. That is why I am respectfully asking for your vote on Monday, April 7th.

During the last year, I have had the privilege of participating in initiatives that reinforce our town’s commitment to education. One particularly inspiring event was an elementary school’s “Kindness Week,” where I joined fellow community members in greeting students with words of encouragement. Witnessing their joy and curiosity reaffirmed my dedication to fostering a positive learning environment. Additionally, I was proud to vote in support of our High School’s National Art Honor Society students traveling to Dublin, Ireland, to compete in the Junk Kouture Competition — an incredible opportunity for our young artists!

My passion for education extends far beyond my role on the committee. As the Founder of Stop Abduction, a program dedicated to student safety, I developed safeguard tools for in-person and online communication for students from kindergarten through college. Our interactive education programs teach students to redefine who a stranger is, validate their gut feelings, and base decisions on solid facts to enhance their personal safety and awareness.

My career has also included coordinating multi­disciplinary teams dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of juvenile victims of trafficking and violent crimes. I have provided training for school superinten­dents, principals, school resource officers, and law enforcement, equipping them with the tools needed to safeguard students. 

In addition to my work in education, I have experience as the Director of Admissions for a private junior/senior high school, where I shaped the admissions policies and marketing strategies to support the school’s growth and accreditation. As the President and CEO of Amel Tech­nology, I have led global advancements in liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, demonstrating my expertise in corporate budgeting, project management, and team leadership.

Currently, as the Director of Community Development for a New Bedford-based nonprofit, I assist individuals on the verge of homelessness by connecting them with housing solutions and strength-based programs. My team and I are dedicated to providing the necessary resources to prevent and end homelessness in our communities.

Above all, my greatest joy comes from my four incredible children, who inspire me every day with their adventurous and pioneering spirits!

With my combined experience and deep passion for education, I am confident that I can continue to serve Fairhaven with integrity and vision. I look forward to the opportunity to build on the progress we’ve made. With your support, we can continue building a school system that nurtures, pro­tects, and empowers every student to reach their fullest potential.

I humbly ask for your support and your vote on April 7th. Together, we can strengthen our schools and our community!

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