Holyoke Public Schools is exiting “chronically underperforming status” one week from today—on Tuesday, July 1, 2025—after 10 years under state governance. Education Secretary and Interim Commissioner Dr. Patrick Tutwiler announced his decision during the Holyoke School Committee meeting on Monday, June 23 and again the following morning during the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) meeting on Tuesday, June 24.
Dr. Tutwiler wrote in a letter to district leaders: “This historic decision honors the entire Holyoke community, and particularly the students, families, educators, staff, and leaders who have carried forward the district’s transformational efforts over the past 10 years.”
Dr. Tutwiler commended Superintendent/Receiver Anthony Soto for his leadership, particularly for engaging community stakeholders in the district’s strategic planning and decision-making process. Effective July 1, Mr. Soto will become interim superintendent of the school district under the contract approved by the School Committee in May.
With the end of receivership, the Holyoke School Committee will resume local governance of the school district. Over the past school year, the School Committee has engaged in additional training, reviewed and updated numerous policies, and established practices to enhance its readiness to resume local governance.
“We wholeheartedly echo Dr. Tutwiler’s sentiment that this milestone is a tribute to the outstanding students, families, and staff of Holyoke Public Schools, with the unwavering support of the residents of our city,” Mayor Josh Garcia, School Committee Vice Chair Dr. Yadilette Rivera Colón, and Superintendent Soto said in a letter to stakeholders sent shortly after the announcement during this morning’s BESE meeting. “Over the past decade, you have demonstrated resilience, determination, and a relentless commitment to ensuring a bright future for all our students.”
The hard work over the past 10 years has paid off, the three leaders said in the letter, as evidenced by the district’s accomplishments Mr. Soto shared with the community earlier this month.
“This moment presents an important opportunity for all of us to recommit to building on the progress we’ve made so far. We must continue to work together to ensure all Holyoke students develop the skills and access the opportunities to graduate high school prepared for life, career, and college. We have built a strong foundation and now have many of the tools we need to continue growing, learning, and improving in the years ahead.”