Holyoke Public School’s Chief of Strategy Erin Linville will soon be stepping down from her leadership role after nearly 11 years in the district so that she can launch an independent consulting practice focused on education and social impact.
Ms. Linville joined HPS in 2015, soon after the start of state receivership. Over the past decade she made a number of significant contributions that helped strengthen the district in a wide range of ways, including:
Leading a high school redesign initiative designed to boost student engagement and real-word learning, contributing to an 18-point increase in the graduation rate and equitable access to advanced learning opportunities;
Partnering with local and state leaders, as well as community members, to secure $85 million to build the new Dr. William R. Peck Middle School;
Creating and implementing an inclusive process to reorganize the district’s PreK-8 schools into distinct elementary and middle schools, leading to stronger instructional supports and more efficient spending;
Developing and leading a data-informed process of continuous improvement to make progress on the turnaround plan and strategic plan, which supported the district’s return to local governance; and
Collaborating with families, teachers, staff, and community members to create a strategic plan, develop a learner profile, strengthen the middle school experience, improve teacher retention, along with many more strategic efforts.
“Throughout these achievements—which I know she shares with all of us—Ms. Linville engaged stakeholders to develop a shared purpose, communicated with clarity and enthusiasm, and executed with precision and versatility,” said Interim Superintendent Anthony Soto. “She embodied and championed our equity commitment to seek out and incorporate the voices of those impacted, with a commitment to include those who have been excluded in the past. While I will miss having her as a trusted advisor and leader at HPS, I fully support her transition and next steps.”
Ms. Linville said that branching out from her role in Holyoke is bittersweet, recognizing both the excitement that lies ahead as she forges new paths in support of students and the sadness of letting go of the community she loves.
“I will always be rooting for Holyoke,” she said. “Here, I found a passionate community willing to explore all opportunities for students’ success. While I know that receivership brought about its own set of mixed feelings and challenges, I am thankful for the opportunity to think big and act boldly. We have been able to do just that—redesigning high school, expanding preschool and dual language, strengthening school leadership in partnership with the Barr Foundation and Relay, and so much more. By working alongside so many committed and talented colleagues, I’ve learned to listen deeply, strive for incremental and sustainable improvement, and celebrate success along the way.”