Invitation to join the Community Advisory Committee for Transition to Local Control

In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the HPS School Committee is developing a plan to transition from state receivership back to local control. The School Committee plans to build on the district’s accomplishments and listen to stakeholders about their hopes and expectations for the future of HPS and what is important to them as HPS transitions back to local control. 

“Holyoke Public Schools is at a critical point in its efforts to realize its vision to become a high-performing school system where students reach their full potential, educators inspire, families are partners, and the community thrives,” said Holyoke Mayor and School Committee Chair Joshua A. Garcia. 

The School Committee, with support from DESE, is in the process of writing the transition plan and  is seeking input to help inform the direction of their work through the creation of an Advisory Group. The Advisory Group will be led by two co-chairs, ideally one co-chair from the School Committee and another co-chair from the community.

The role of the Advisory Committee is to help shape the process and content of stakeholder engagement AND provide input and feedback on elements of the transition plan. 

For anyone interested in serving on the committee, here is additional information to know:

Commitment:

• Pre-work for and participation in four advisory team meetings (1.5 hours per meeting)
  • (early November), in-person—Understand why we are here and who is and isn’t in the room, co-develop guiding questions for public meetings and focus groups
    • Pre-work: Read draft transition plan
  • (early December) —Ask and answer guiding questions for public meetings; review draft of questions for all-stakeholder survey
  • (early January) —Review data from public meetings, focus groups, and survey. Determine themes.  
  • (mid or late January) —Review final draft of transition plan, determine important next steps 
• Attend one public engagement meeting about the transition plan

Membership:  

• The School Committee is looking for Advisory Committee members with a:
  • Desire to share not only their points of view, but common points of view that others like them may share (e.g. parents speaking on behalf of other parents, teachers sharing the perspective of other staff members, etc.);
  • Belief that students are at the center of everything we do and in the HPS equity commitments; and
  • Passion for education in Holyoke.
• Ideal representation, across schools and across grade levels, includes:
  • Families and Students (10-14 representatives)
    • Middle and high school students (4)—at least 1 from Dean, 1 from North, 1 from OA, and 1 from a middle school
    • Parents/Caregivers (6-10) from various schools
  • Holyoke Community (10 representatives)
    • Partners (4)—at least 1 from higher education, 1 from a local business, and 2 from non-profit organizations
    • School Committee members (2)
    • A designee from the City as chosen by Mayor Garcia (1)
    • A City Council representative (1)
    • Additionally interested community members (2)
  • HPS Staff (8 representatives)
    • Teachers (6)—1 each at the high school, middle school, and elementary levels, and 1 each in early childhood, special education, and English language development. 
    • FACE team member (1)
    • School leaders (e.g. principals, APs, Deans) (1)
  • There is flexibility to add several other people depending on applicant interest
• When selecting Advisory Committee members, the School Committee will look to build a broad base of representation including diverse viewpoints and experiences, as well as race, gender, length of time in Holyoke, job function, school representation, etc.

Application – CLICK TO COMPLETE ONLINE FORM:  

• Step 1: By October 3, please submit your interest by filling out this form. Note: All applications should include a paragraph that answers the questions: Why do you want to serve on the Advisory Committee for Transition to Local Control? What skills or experiences would allow you to be a valuable contributor to the Team?
• Step 2: The applicants will be presented to the School Board at their October 15 School Committee Meeting. The School Committee will select applicants to serve on the Advisory Team membership. 

NOTE: Please know submitting interest to serve on the committee is a public document and will be reviewed by the School Committee at a public meeting scheduled for October 15.