After ten years in state receivership, Holyoke Public Schools will formally return to local control on July 1st, becoming the first district to do so, according to state authorities.
The district’s temporary removal from state receivership was initially announced in October by the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Following the district’s completion of its capacity building plan, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler paid Holyoke a visit on Monday night to officially announce the exit.
Tutwiler told the Holyoke School Committee, “I want to honor that this is an emotional and deeply earned moment for the entire Holyoke community.” Holyoke families, teachers, school personnel, partners, and leaders have been working tirelessly to reform your education system over the past ten years.
Due to persistent underperformance and a lack of progress over time, Holyoke Schools was placed in receivership status in 2015. At the time, Holyoke had one of the highest dropout rates in Massachusetts and the lowest graduation rate in the state. Since then, the state has recorded improvements in the rate of graduation, the rate of out-of-school suspensions, and the growth of pre-K.
Tutwiler stated at a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting on Tuesday that additional enhancements include the redesign of Holyoke High School and increased dual language options.
The authority that would typically be divided between a superintendent and the school committee is assigned to a receiver-superintendent by DESE when a school is placed under receivership.
Currently serving as the state-appointed receiver superintendent is Anthony Soto, a graduate of Holyoke. DESE announced last month that he ratified a deal to continue in his position as interim superintendent for the upcoming school year.
Holyoke finished its capacity building plan, which sought to enhance the district’s administration of superintendent hiring, evaluation, finance and budgeting, and policy creation, in order to ratify the provisional decision. Joshua Garcia, the mayor of Holyoke, praised the board during the Tuesday meeting.
Garcia stated, “We both understand that there was no blueprint for how to do this.” We’ve prepared for this, and I have faith that this board can get started right away and carry out the crucial tasks that need to be done for the kids in our district under the governance model and structure that we currently have.
BESE member and former Holyoke School Committee member Michael Moriarty said local legislators and education officials should be informed on how Holyoke was able to exit state receivership. According to DESE, Southbridge Public Schools and Lawrence Public Schools are currently in receivership after being classified as persistently underperforming.
“I think the closure of this experience in the city of Holyoke is worthy of careful attention,” Moriarty stated, adding that accountability as a statewide action step is not where it needs to be at this time. I hope it is handled with the highest seriousness and that a new and improved framework is in place by the end of this decade.
BESE member Mary Ann Stewart highlighted worries about regaining authority and confidence in local administration when the district departs state supervision.
In terms of reestablishing inclusiveness and trust, it’s something to really watch, Stewart added. It’s critical that Holyoke educators and families continue to feel heard in determining the future, as their voices were marginalized during the receivership process.
Massachusetts Teachers Association leaders stated that their organization is against state action in all three receivership districts, claiming it silences teachers.
According to a statement from President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy, the state has a responsibility to make sure Holyoke has the resources it needs to help teachers and students. The state should assist in addressing the devastating effects of poverty in the community, which Holyoke Public Schools has had to deal with.
According to DESE, the state will continue to oversee the district during a transitional period for up to two years, tracking departure assurances as part of a Turnaround Plan. The strategy calls for engagement with families, the development of an early literacy plan, professional development for teachers, and more.
In a statement, Governor Maura Healey stated, “Holyoke has worked hard to regain local control of its schools, and this is a great moment for the city, students, educators, and families.” They will continue to successfully advance the district, I’m sure of it.
Molly Farrar works for Boston.com as a general assignment reporter, covering topics such as politics, crime, and education.
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