Holyoke Public Schools has been making significant changes in its practices and operations designed to strengthen student learning while supporting staff recruiting and retention efforts.
“Combined, these efforts are moving the district forward in our efforts to dramatically and urgently accelerate student learning,” said Superintendent Anthony Soto. “These initiatives are informed by the district’s Strategic Plan and reflect input from stakeholders across Holyoke, from teachers and staff, to families and students, concerned community members, and members of the Teacher Retention Working Group and Teacher Advisory Group.”
Recent improvements and initiatives include the following:
HPS has launched a new teacher retention plan. More than 500 teachers, former teachers, and leaders shared input into what HPS can do to be a best-fit school district for educators and staff—one in which they can grow professionally, feel supported, and make meaningful impacts on students’ lives. Next year’s plan aligns teachers’ compensation and hours from PreK-12, provides differentiated professional learning based on experience and skill, and offers additional efforts to improve the school environment for all.
A pilot program for members of the Holyoke Teachers Association for the 2024-25 school year that will decrease the total number of hours elementary and middle school teachers are scheduled to work, provide $1,500 stipends for high school teachers to align their compensation with elementary and middle school teachers (except Expert Teachers whose salaries are already aligned), implement a one-hour early release for all students on Wednesdays to allow for more professional development, and also provide differentiated professional development for staff in their first two years of teaching to better meet their needs of staff.
Signed contract extensions and memoranda of agreements are now in place with the Holyoke Educators Association, district paraprofessionals, secretaries, and district custodians and craftspeople.
Monthly employee-led and facilitated Affinity Group meetings began in February. These discussion and support meetings are both optional and voluntary, providing opportunities for colleagues to connect with and support each other in a safe space. This initiative is part of the district’s ongoing efforts to build a community that is anti-racist, inclusive and culturally responsive and to ensure that staff get the support they need to be successful.
A new partnership between Holyoke Public Schools and UMass was recently launched to support staff who do not have a bachelor’s degree and would like to obtain a bachelor’s degree and licensure to teach.
HPS is continuing to increase the number of teachers of color at HPS.
The district’s efforts to recruit, develop, and retain teachers of color has resulted in a 18-point increase in the percentage of teachers of color, from 13% in 2015 to 31% in 2023.
Research shows that, when taught by teachers of color, students of color experience stronger academic performance, improved graduation rates, and are more likely to attend college.