Chronically Underperforming Schools and Districts

Formerly Chronically Underperforming District: Holyoke Public Schools

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education placed Holyoke Public Schools in Chronically Underperforming status on April 28, 2015. On June 1, 2015, the Commissioner named Dr. Stephen Zrike, Jr. as Receiver of the district. The Commissioner and Receiver released the district's Turnaround Plan on October 1, 2015. On September 23, 2016, Dr. Zrike submitted a request to modify the district Turnaround Plan to simplify the titles of the plan's priority areas and revise the titles of specific staff members and support teams. On October 6, 2016, the Commissioner approved the request for modifications. On October 1, 2018, Commissioner Riley renewed the district's turnaround plan for an additional three years. On June 30, 2021, Commissioner Riley appointed Anthony Soto to be the next receiver for the Holyoke Public Schools, effective July 1, 2021. On July 13, 2021, Commissioner Riley removed the label and reference to "Master Teacher" in chronically underperforming school and district turnaround plans and replaced it with "Expert Teacher." On October 5, 2021, Commissioner Riley extended the turnaround plan for the Holyoke Public Schools due to the absence of new accountability determinations for districts and schools for school year 2020-2021. On September 26, 2022, Commissioner Riley exercised his authority under 603 CMR 2.06 (10)(d) to remove the Morgan Full Service Community School in Holyoke from chronically underperforming status on the basis of the district's concurrent designation as chronically underperforming. On December 16, 2022, the Commissioner renewed the district's turnaround plan for an additional three years. On October 2, 2023, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received a letter from Holyoke Mayor and School Committee Chair Joshua A. Garcia petitioning the Commissioner to remove the Holyoke Public Schools from chronically underperforming status. On December 21, 2023, Receiver Soto submitted to the Department written arguments and supporting documentation in response to the petition by the Holyoke School Committee. On February 2, 2024, the Commissioner sent the Holyoke School Committee his response to the petition to remove the Holyoke Public Schools from chronically underperforming status. On October 29, 2024, Acting Commissioner announces exit from Holyoke Public Schools, anticipated June 2025. On June 24, 2025, Interim Commissioner Tutwiler announced that the Holyoke Public Schools will officially exit chronically underperforming status on July 1, 2025.

Last Updated: July 3, 2025