Candidates at the Nov. 1 forum identified teacher morale, meaningful professional development, clear contracts and inclusion in district decisions as the principal levers to retain and attract educators after receivership.

Mildred Laffette said morale matters most: when educators “feel that you are being heard” they stay. Louis Orlando Isasa and Gents Michaelson argued for stable staffing so students have trusted adults; Michaelson recommended involving teachers in the superintendent selection process. He warned that poor staffing ratios can lead to formal citations if not addressed.

Patty Lebault described organizational signals that harm retention, saying small acts that convey disrespect can drive teachers away. “We have a fluctuating turnover rate of 17 to 30%,” Lebault said, and urged the committee to ask “hard questions with both respect and urgency.”

Christian Carde called trust the core issue and recommended fair contracts, increased classroom time for experienced teachers and supports to allow teachers and mental‑health staff to implement IEPs. Several candidates criticized ineffective professional development and urged programs that build teaching practice rather than slide‑based or checklist training.

Candidates offered no single pay‑scale or contract proposal at the forum; instead they prioritized process changes—teacher voice, better professional development, clarity about post‑receivership staffing rules and recognition of the additional challenges educators face in Holyoke.