Joel Illouz is running for one of the two 3 year seats on the Longmeadow School Committee

This information was submitted to the LongmeadowBuzz blog by Joel Illouz who is a candidate for one of the two- 3 year seats on the Longmeadow School Committee.

My name is Joel Illouz, and I’m running for a seat on the Longmeadow School Committee. I am doing so because I truly love Longmeadow. I was raised here, and went to the public schools here. In doing so I made lifelong friends and unforgettable memories, it also prepared me to leave the nest and go to college to find my independence. I wanted that for my children as well, so we knew Longmeadow was the place. Unfortunately, in this ever evolving world, I feel as though we are lagging behind. I believe our community is standing on the shoulders of past success—but not building on it. We must confront today’s challenges with urgency, transparency, and a fresh perspective if we want to restore the reputation and excellence that once defined our school system.

For years, Longmeadow was a magnet for families, professionals, and especially physicians who valued strong schools and a supportive town culture. Today, we are watching that reputation quietly erode. Talented families are choosing neighboring towns like Hampden and Wilbraham, which directly impacts not only our school enrollment but also our home values and broader community appeal.  

Even more concerning: I’m hearing from families whose children—despite strong academic records and straight A’s—are being turned away from UMass Amherst and other competitive schools. These outcomes raise serious questions about how we’re preparing our students, how we’re advocating for them, and whether we’re focused on the right priorities.

My first goal is to continue to listen to parents, educators, school committee members and students. I want to hear directly from the families of Longmeadow: What are your biggest concerns? Where are we falling short? What does success look like to you? And most importantly, What do you need?  

I will work to ensure our district leadership is accountable—both to families and to results. When problems arise, we need clear answers and fast action. I will challenge complacency and push for performance across the board. To improve we must tackle shortcomings head on, and not sweep it under the rug.  

Great schools require great educators. And we have so so many! I’ll work to ensure teachers have the support, professional development, and resources they need to meet high expectations and inspire student success. I feel that with all of these standardized tests, it must be hard for teachers to teach how they want. Uniqueness makes great teachers, do they have the flexibility to be unique?  

Strong schools mean strong property values and a vibrant town. By focusing on academic quality and responsiveness, we can attract new families, retain our top talent, and secure Longmeadow’s future.  

This campaign is not about politics—it’s about priorities. It’s about making sure Longmeadow lives up to its promise for our next generation. I’m ready to ask the tough questions, bring new energy and ideas to the table, and together’ to get our schools—and our reputation—back where they belong.  

On June 3rd, Vote Joel Illouz for Longmeadow School Committee.

All the best,
Joel Illouz