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Chester addresses rumors, outlines plans for schools

Date: 5/7/2015

HOLYOKE – Mitchell Chester, the commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, was adamant in squashing rumors circulating in the city about the state’s receivership of the Holyoke Public Schools.

Chester met with the press just before he conducted a meeting with the teachers and staff of the school district, which was not open to reporters.

Among the rumors he addressed included one about mass firings of teachers, which he stressed was false. Teachers will not have to re-apply for their jobs, he added, but their personnel files will be examined. He said there are strong administrators, teachers and staff members in the system and if they are “willing to re-think [how education should work] I’ll welcome you.”

He said one rumor has Holyoke High School being renamed after him, which is not true. The rumor the student activity account has been frozen also has no basis in fact, as does the rumor Chester will eliminate sports and AP courses from the high schools.

The changes that he wishes to be made in the school system, Chester said, will benefit students who are not meeting desired achievement levels and families with currently successful students “should not feel threatened.”

Colleges will still accept students from Holyoke schools, Chester said.

“I meet with local officials to send a message this [receivership] is not a punishment, not a sigma,” he said. Chester called it “an opportunity.”

Once again Chester noted the recommendation for receivership was “my recommendation and my recommendation alone.” He said a rumor that Gov. Charlie Baker was involved in the decision was not true.

He said that when he started his job in 2008 Holyoke was a concern and he has not seen progress in the time since. A small percentage of students receive a “strong education” but most do not, he added.

He is now the interim receiver and said that he will look at four to five people as the permanent person for that position. His intent is to appoint the receiver by the end of May.

The current superintendent, Dr. Sergio Paez, will remain on the job until the end of June. Despite that, Chester said, “No decisions can be made without being cleared by me at this point.”

The School Committee is now disbanded and will not have any further meetings. “They no longer have statutory responsibility,” Chester explained.

Chester wants the turnaround plan for the school is finalized or “close to being finalized” by September. He will convene a local stakeholders group to assist in the creation of the plan.

He emphasized the plan will build on the current programs that are showing positive results.

When asked about the length of time Holyoke schools may be operated by the Commonwealth, Chester noted Lawrence schools are in their third year of receivership. He said the goal is ensure the “strategies that are put in place are part of the fabric of the school district and can’t be undone when the state leaves.”