Chronically Underperforming Schools and Districts

Chronically Underperforming Districts

Current Chronically Underperforming Districts

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education placed Southbridge Public Schools in chronically underperforming status on January 26, 2016. Commissioner Chester and the Receiver released the district's Turnaround Plan on June 24, 2016. On January 19, 2018, Acting Commissioner Jeff Wulfson named Dr. Jeffrey Villar as Receiver for the district. On November 15, 2019, Commissioner Riley renewed the district's turnaround plan and continued the district in chronically underperforming status for an additional three-year period. 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 November 22, 2022, the Commissioner renewed the district's turnaround plan for an additional three years.

About 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.

About Lawrence Public Schools

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education placed the Lawrence School District in Chronically Underperforming in November 2011, the first district in the state to be designated chronically underperforming. In January 2012, the Commissioner named Mr. Jeff Riley as Receiver for the district. On May 30, 2012, the Commissioner and Receiver released a Chronically Underperforming District Turnaround Plan for Lawrence. On May 29, 2015, the Commissioner renewed Lawrence's Chronically Underperforming District Turnaround Plan. On April, 5, 2018, Mr. Riley was sworn in as the next commissioner of elementary and secondary education. On April 18, 2018, Commissioner Riley named the Lawrence Alliance for Education (LAE) as receiver for Lawrence Public Schools. 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 January 12, 2022 the Commissioner renewed Lawrence's Chronically Underperforming District Turnaround Plan for an additional three years. On August 24, 2022, the Commissioner named an interim Chair to the Lawrence Alliance for Education. On March 28, 2023, the Commissioner announced that the state delegation representing Lawrence would recommend four new LAE members to him for appointment to the LAE.

Last Updated: February 6, 2024