Holyoke committee votes to appoint Anthony Soto as interim superintendent for one year, contingent on negotiation authority

The Holyoke School Committee voted on Jan. 27 to appoint Acting Receiver Anthony Soto as interim superintendent for the 2025–26 school year, pending the committee’s ability to negotiate a contract in executive session.

The action followed a presentation on superintendent-search timelines and a letter from Acting Commissioner Russell Johnston that temporarily modified the receiver’s authority for this limited purpose. The commissioner’s letter, read into the record, said: “For the limited purposes of the Holyoke School Committee’s vote on Jan. 27 … Receiver Soto shall not have the power of the school committee, but rather the authority will rest with the Holyoke School Committee.” The letter was cited by members as enabling the committee to take the appointment vote at the meeting.

Committee members debated whether to perform an immediate full search or hire an interim to provide leadership continuity during the district’s transition from receivership to local control. Proponents described stability as the priority. "It is in the school district's best interest to minimize the disruption of the district," said Nicholas Rodriguez during student reports; committee members echoed that view in debate.

Several members said they did not want to bind the committee to an appointment without authority to negotiate salary and other contract terms. The committee amended the appointment motion so that it is contingent on the Holyoke School Committee being permitted to negotiate the contract with the appointee; members said the committee will request the necessary modification from the state if needed.

After a short recess to contact the candidate, trustees reported that Soto indicated willingness to serve, “contingent on negotiations,” and the motion passed unanimously. "I made a commitment to this body and to the Holyoke community that I want to make sure that... whatever role I play, I do everything I can to make sure that it's a strong transition," Soto said after the vote.

The committee directed the vice chair to send a communication to the school community summarizing the decision. Committee members said they will pursue the formal contract-negotiation authority with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education before completing any contract.