The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Update on Chronically Underperforming Districts: Receiver Presentations
At the meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) on March 26, the receivers for the chronically underperforming districts will provide an update on their district's overall academic progress to date. John Connolly, chair of the Lawrence Alliance for Education (LAE) will present on behalf of the Lawrence Public Schools, Stephen Zrike will present on behalf of the Holyoke Public Schools, and Jeffrey Villar will present on behalf of the Southbridge Public Schools. Cynthia Paris, the superintendent for the Lawrence Public Schools, will also be present.
Senior Associate Commissioner Russell Johnston and Lauren Woo, director of the Office of Strategic Transformation, will join the school receivers and Superintendent Paris at the Board meeting.
Lawrence Alliance for Education, Receiver, and Superintendent Cynthia Paris
On February 6, 2018, Acting Commissioner Jeff Wulfson announced the board members of the LAE, the partnership board that serves as the receiver for the Lawrence Public Schools. In the spring of 2018, the LAE, with the Commissioner's approval, selected Cynthia Paris to be the superintendent. The superintendent manages the district on a day-to-day basis and reports to the LAE. The Lawrence Alliance for Education reports to the Commissioner. It meets monthly in open session.
The seven members of the LAE are:
- Chairman John Connolly, Board Chair of The 1647, Inc. in Boston, an organization that helps schools increase family engagement;
- The Honorable Daniel Rivera, Mayor of the city of Lawrence;
- Jessica Andors, executive director of Lawrence Community Works, a community development corporation;
- Dr. Noemi Custodia-Lora, vice president of the Lawrence campus and community relations for Northern Essex Community College;
- Patricia Mariano, member of the Lawrence School Committee and former principal of the Francis M. Leahy School in Lawrence;
- Dr. Ventura Rodriguez, senior associate commissioner for strategic initiatives at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and
- Julia Silverio, president of Silverio Insurance Agency in Lawrence
Chairman John Connolly and Superintendent Paris will provide the Board with an update on the implementation of the district's turnaround plan and the LAE's activities to date.
Holyoke Public Schools — Dr. Stephen Zrike, Receiver
Dr. Stephen Zrike has been receiver of the Holyoke Public Schools since his appointment in June 2015. Dr. Zrike will provide an update on the district's overall academic progress to date, including an update on Morgan Full Service Community School, one of the four chronically underperforming schools in the Commonwealth.
Southbridge Public Schools — Dr. Jeffrey Villar, Receiver
Dr. Jeffrey Villar has been receiver of the Southbridge Public Schools since his appointment in February 2018. Dr. Villar will update the Board on the implementation of the district's turnaround plan including his strategic priorities, teacher development, and specific challenge areas.