Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
At the March 23 Holyoke School Committee meeting, representatives of the Holyoke Paraprofessional Association and multiple paraeducators urged the committee to adopt a tiered compensation system, restore longevity, expand sick and family leave, and ensure pay parity for paras performing teacher duties ahead of April 6 bargaining.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
The committee authorized the superintendent to submit a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a core project to replace the H.B. Lawrence School, citing undersized classrooms, failing building systems, lack of accessible facilities and insufficient space for special education and English‑learner services.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
Holyoke administrators told the School Committee that Panorama survey results show gains in safety and staff climate, but secondary student engagement remains low (18% 'very/extremely excited' about class); the committee pressed for clearer benchmarks, data triangulation with walkthrough tools and targeted action steps.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
On March 23 the Holyoke School Committee approved an out‑of‑state culinary field trip, amended acceptance of gifts and grants to remove Project Lead the Way pending donor clarification, approved new student activity accounts for poetry and sports management, authorized an MSBA SOI for H.B. Lawrence School, and recommended the city council consider adopting M.G.L. c.40, §71 for stop‑arm cameras.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
At the March 23 meeting the committee approved an out-of-state field trip to the Culinary Institute of America, accepted gifts/grants with an amendment removing Project Lead the Way pending donor verification, approved student activity accounts for new clubs, and authorized submission of an MSBA Statement of Interest for a Lawrence School core project.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
Paraprofessionals and members of their bargaining team told the school committee they need a tier-and-step pay scale, restored longevity, more sick time, assault leave and eight weeks paid family leave as contract talks continue and the contract approaches expiration.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
The district’s Panorama survey showed improved safety and staff climate but only 18% 'favorable' on a student engagement measure; presenters urged triangulating Panorama with walkthroughs and school improvement plans to target belonging in grades 6–12.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
At the March 9 Holyoke School Committee meeting, three teachers told the committee they are disappointed with bargaining decisions and are headed to mediation; one said 85% of teachers voted no confidence in the district bargaining team and another noted low Panorama survey scores for professional development.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
Finance and operations members told the committee the FY27 budget includes a preliminary $2.6 million operating gap, warned of an anticipated 10–15% Title I cut (estimated at about $800,000) and flagged a likely ~5% increase in transportation costs; members said they will monitor House budget developments.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
Members at the March 9 meeting disagreed about sending Panorama survey results and a proposal to set committee goals to the Leadership & Accountability subcommittee, debating transparency, timing and the need for a full‑board retreat; a motion to refer committee goals failed.