Holyoke teacher's union president on potential state receivership: 'This is not a done deal'
HOLYOKE -- At a meeting of concerned teachers, city parents and community members on Thursday, the Holyoke Teacher's Association president spoke of the possibility of Holyoke Public Schools in receivership.
HTA President Gus Morales shared with the group of approximately 50 people a letter to the editor of CommonWealth Magazine, regarding a recent piece they wrote on Holyoke Public Schools.
"Holyoke is not asking to be recused by the state," Morales said, reading from his letter. He went on to critique outside help the state has provided to city educators. "The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has a history of bringing in private partners who have a poor understanding of Holyoke and consequently design ineffective education plans for our students," he said. "We saw it with America's Choice's involvement in the district, and we are seeing it with Project GRAD, which is working in two of our schools. The DESE itself has reported on the shortcomings of its private partners. There absolutely is room for gains in student achievement, but the obstacles our students face are created by economic injustice and not from poor teaching or lack of community concern."
Additionally, Morales emphasized that Lawrence, while also a Gateway City, is not the same as Holyoke. "In Lawrence, former mayor William Lantigua asked the DESE to take over the public schools. But in Holyoke, the City Council opposes the state placing the public schools into receivership. The School Committee opposes the move. The superintendent opposes the move. The teachers oppose the move. And hundreds of parents and other community residents are organizing against the move."
Morales was not the only education official to discuss the district. In a formal lettersent to state education officials, the Holyoke School Committee responded to critiques of the district.
Below is the full letter Morales sent to CommonWealth Magazine:
In regards to Michael Jonas' Feb. 5 column about Holyoke public schools, I'd like to point this out to the author and to Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester: Holyoke is not asking to be recused by the state. In fact, for as long as the state has been involved in the Holyoke Public Schools, all I can see is a track record of money being diverted to private interests and away from student services.In Lawrence, former mayor William Lantigua asked the DESE to take over the public schools. But in Holyoke, the City Council opposes the state placing the public schools into receivership. The School Committee opposes the move. The superintendent opposes the move. The teachers oppose the move. And hundreds of parents and other community residents are organizing against the move.
This opposition is based on good reason and sound policy. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has a history of bringing in private partners who have a poor understanding of Holyoke and consequently design ineffective education plans for our students. We saw it with America's Choice's involvement in the district, and we are seeing it with Project GRAD, which is working in two of our schools. The DESE itself has reported on the shortcomings of its private partners. There absolutely is room for gains in student achievement, but the obstacles our students face are created by economic injustice and not from poor teaching or lack of community concern.
We have not seen the DESE or any other state agency stepping up to allocate the resources necessary for Holyoke's schools to provide the education our students need and deserve. According to the state's own figures, school spending in Holyoke is barely hitting minimum requirements while the academic, social and emotional needs of our students are comparatively high.
That is why we need an investment in resources from the state; we do not Holyoke teacher's union president on potential state receivership: 'This is not a done deal' | masslive.com: