The Holyoke School Committee unanimously voted to end the school district’s nearly decade-long receivership on Monday night, a decision that was met with no surprise by committee members. The district began the process to transition back to local control in March, with the support of the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The receivership was put in place in 2015 due to the district’s underperformance in student achievement and growth rates.
School Committee members, including Chair Yadilette Rivera Colón, cited a rocky process during the receivership period, but noted that progress had been made in recent years. They have developed a “Capacity Building Plan” to meet state education department benchmarks to formally end receivership. The committee will also focus on training members in areas such as superintendent hiring and evaluations, finance and budget management, and policy development.
The district has hired the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to assist with policy development, with a focus on updating outdated policies to include more inclusive language. Mayor Joshua Garcia expressed excitement and enthusiasm for the district’s transition back to local control, highlighting the importance of transparency and communication during the process. Acting Commissioner Russell Johnston praised the School Committee for their dedication and focus on the Capacity Building Plan, and expressed support for their efforts to implement the plan.
Holyoke is the first of three districts in state receivership to exit the program, with committee members working together to transfer power back to the local government. Johnston emphasized the importance of collaboration between the School Committee and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in this significant transition.
Source
Photo credit www.masslive.com