Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
Superintendent and staff told the School Committee the projected FY26 budget gap has shrunk to about $1.5 million after updated enrollment allocations, lower health‑insurance projections and other adjustments; transportation and other costs remain concerns.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
The committee approved a $109,000 transfer to contract registered behavior technicians, authorized an RFP for general counsel and collective‑bargaining services, approved an out‑of‑state student trip to Yukon, and voted to enter executive session on personnel and bargaining.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
Multiple public commenters, including the president of the Holyoke Teachers Association, urged the School Committee to restore full union membership and collective bargaining as the district exits receivership, saying receivership harmed staff retention and community trust.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
Construction at Peck Middle School is progressing on schedule with most systems installed, change orders limited, AV bids under budget and a ribbon-cutting scheduled for Aug. 14. Committee members reviewed progress, commissioning and maintenance training, FF&E and technology procurement, and set upcoming site visits.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
City officials and a community advisory team moved planning steps forward for returning Holyoke Public Schools to local control, set a March 24 meeting for the receiver to present exit assurances, and outlined an interim superintendent term beginning July 1.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
The Holyoke School Committee heard on Feb. 24 that Holyoke Public Schools faces growing local budget pressures driven by increased required local contributions under the Student Opportunity Act and sharply higher transportation costs for students covered by the McKinney‑Vento law.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
A Metcalf working group recommended using Metcalf next year for Opportunity Academies and a planned alternative program; councilors said responsibility and funding for a separate central‑office relocation study should come from the city, not the school budget.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
On Feb. 24 the committee received a Feb. 21 commissioner letter about bargaining authority, accepted the Q1 update, approved minutes and an out‑of‑state trip request, and voted to enter executive session for collective bargaining (no return to open session announced).
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
Committee heard a construction administration update showing steady progress on interior finishes and utilities, limited asbestos abatement and transite‑pipe removals, and a July 1 target for substantial completion to allow FF&E deliveries.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Holyoke Public Schools
Assistant project manager reported current furniture, fixtures, equipment and technology estimates exceed original MSBA‑based budget by an amount the team expects to cover from soft‑cost and hard‑cost contingencies and by using state procurement contracts.