Holyoke advisory group presses for transparent superintendent search, stronger teacher retention

Members of the Holyoke Public Schools Community Advisory Team (CAT) reviewed community forums and survey results and recommended that the school committee use that feedback to shape a public superintendent search and job description, emphasizing teacher retention, bilingual education and transparent community engagement.

The group, meeting virtually, discussed results from forums, a community advisory committee and a survey the facilitators said represented about 19 separate responses in total. Participants urged the school committee to keep the public input process open, add targeted student surveys, and include community-based interview components so candidates answer vetted questions in public forums for families, teachers and students.

Why it matters: Holyoke is preparing for a superintendent search as the district transitions from state receivership. Advisory members said the cityand districtwill be watched by other districts and that hiring decisions will shape the districtincluding staff morale and student programs for years.

Discussion highlights and recommended next steps

- Community representation and outreach: Participants and facilitators said attendance at public forums was lower than expected and recommended more small, neighborhood-based outreach (for example, meeting at PTA/PTO gatherings, community…