[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6328748,"mediaKeyId","2317584-981c3a1d6f47572151fc979f2896ef9a","parentId",2317584,"title","Holyoke committee reviews facilities inventory, approves schematic design funds and asks schools to study headquarters options","audioSeconds",2890,"startMs",4054000,"endMs",6944000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2317584-981c3a1d6f47572151fc979f2896ef9a&start=4054&end=6944","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2317584-981c3a1d6f47572151fc979f2896ef9a/thumbnail_4054000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328748/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-committee-reviews-facilities-inventory-approves-schematic-design-funds-and-asks-schools-to-study-headquarters-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328748-ebeab4a3a360a59783b48ae811f0d7b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185071&Signature=hdXt1nHjn40D0PvNjwROsfFcQkmTbzM0OKeoBK1b7qyxHc-mApfo7AUCj6QeQmXDvJ8eXbu~cgODDflUCAouHAQCCyRC5evyGofI3uS4T~vK9AOqRiHHA~BAQi~YSvu0iY7sKQJ8iI2If0jAB6rDhEk6dXzEsjIqoVIawsalTGVCezUibdktLJIjTq1tXtkHmSSb~7O~ihLTr8MhRDYB8~gybzuEE7yZtY3HQ4i0hhcc3dlXyiCTfKugS7qDK2UMVIUG7FOFmusgwTTR4PautLpfo8TdC6L4z~G~hTMEd6B1w6bJD~9JLPrTLULQGBcTlcMR61tCIIb9wACmYqYyWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holyoke City, MA","date","2025-02-15T00:00:00Z","article","The joint committee reviewed a district facilities inventory that rates school buildings across multiple systems and identifies urgent and poor‑condition items, and it approved schematic design funding for initial planning.

School Finance Director Sean Mangano (reporting to the committee) and Superintendent Anthony Soto discussed a heat‑map inventory comparing 2019 conditions to current status. Soto said recent investments and city support have changed many previously poor ratings to good, that some buildings still show urgent needs (for example, windows and roof work at Central Supply and a generator at Lawrence), and that schematic design funds of roughly $500,000 were approved by the committee’s finance subcommittee to move design work forward for several projects.

Soto described how the district intends to pursue multiple funding sources — MSBA, IVAC grants, ESSER funds, Community Development Block Grant and CPA funds — rather than rely solely on the general fund. He said a recent IVAC grant allowed the district to avoid an emergency full boiler replacement at McMahon and to repurpose funds for other repairs. The district’s capital plan will be presented to the school committee and used to prioritize projects over a five‑year horizon.

The committee also revisited headquarters options. Committee members recalled a previous review of a downtown building (previously discussed at a purchase price of $850,000) that later appeared at auction with a minimum bid of $150,000. A speaker noted the building was later purchased by private owner Eric Shore for about $660,000. Superintendent Soto said he prefers to study options before pursuing a move; the Metcalfe working group recommended exploring whether some central office functions could move to Dean once that campus has space freed by program moves. Soto asked whether the city council wants the district to study consolidating central office into city‑owned or district sites; several councilors urged an accelerated timeline for an updated study and a consultant‑driven analysis of options.

Committee members thanked district staff for proactive facility maintenance and for pursuing outside grant funding. The committee recorded items 7 and 8 as complied with and asked the superintendent to return with a capital plan and, if requested, a consultant‑driven study of headquarters options that considers city‑owned buildings and program impacts at Dean.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holyoke Joint Committee of the School Committee and City Council 2/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee reviewed a facilities inventory showing several urgent or poor building needs, approved schematic design funding, and asked the school department to study options for consolidating central office — including Dean campus — to reduce long‑term rent costs.","taxTitle","Holyoke City, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",52807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6328754,"Holyoke schools issue memo to ease immigrant‑family anxiety; committee records statement received",948,2526000,3474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2317584-981c3a1d6f47572151fc979f2896ef9a&start=2526&end=3474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2317584-981c3a1d6f47572151fc979f2896ef9a/thumbnail_2526000.jpg","/articles/6328754/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-schools-issue-memo-to-ease-immigrantfamily-anxiety-committee-records-statement-received","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328754-9c35bec51f3a33afb0d39b2afd218231/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185071&Signature=jjCQH8YWUwWumTpNUHxwD~IERQycaSPlgeIKSiOM3a~PLThtOlviD14FhzjUy0dUwvlBvwE-Y~pQMpLEOxMOGGkqRlO814BZuXtgniNv6H2jDF5nxPfD-LSG5hDS8ZGqTm3mfVBWPZpEEa1XkqKGNnUixFHcPJ117hNW8j6edLa7m1GiTgqf3ObxCs~VbGQAph~g3h6QDNL3FR3-gdKHKZYVIKCmjvZ~0deAYjZl1OL1Oq-jAvjl77tM8DZ3E3O2go7iL9UKJZN0NrvgnLX5hKSHqqXs1v-Ak5xBrq0~Dd7vEEhOy5x6MMS1SFBxlXcv0c77-RPZN7ldGRWnydVHDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The joint committee discussed a joint statement from Mayor Garcia and Superintendent Anthony Soto affirming immigrants’ rights and a superintendent memo intended to ease anxiety among newcomer families and instruct staff on how to respond to inquiries about immigration enforcement.

Superintendent Anthony Soto said the memo’s immediate goals were to reassure families and staff amid “a lot of misinformation” and to reduce chronic absenteeism. “Our chronic absenteeism is, you know, almost 50 percent,” Soto said, adding that the district has had a marked increase in newcomer families this year — “over 100 this year,” he said — including arrivals from Haiti, Afghanistan and Spanish‑speaking countries. Soto said the district does not collect immigration‑status documentation and that staff should direct families to legal counsel rather than try to advise on immigration questions.

Soto described operational impacts and funding mechanics: if students qualify as homeless under McKinney‑Vento (for example, families staying in hotels or shelters), transportation costs are largely reimbursable through federal McKinney‑Vento reimbursements; he noted those reimbursements typically lag by a year and that the district must enroll students by Oct. 1 to be counted for the next year’s state revenue. He estimated McKinney‑Vento transportation is currently a material part of the district’s transportation line and said reimbursements are close to full for qualifying students.

Committee members asked how large the newcomer population is, how the district provides language support, and whether federal or state policy changes could create budget uncertainty. Soto said the district has increased translation and interpretation services, added a paraprofessional for Haitian‑Creole speakers, and runs intensive newcomer programs. He recommended families work with immigration attorneys or resettlement agencies (he mentioned Catholic Charities in the transcript) for legal questions.

The committee voted to record the joint statement and superintendent memo as received and discussed the need to monitor state or federal funding changes that could affect district resources for newcomers. Members asked the superintendent to keep the council and school committee informed about funding and policy changes that could alter transportation and service costs.

No disciplinary or enforcement incidents were reported in the discussion; the memo focuses on staff guidance, family reassurance and attendance.","Superintendent Anthony Soto described a memo and joint statement intended to reassure newcomer families and staff about immigration‑related rights and to reduce absenteeism; the joint committee recorded the district memo and mayoral statement as received.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6328759,"Superintendent appointment to remain short‑term while advisory board frames search process",500,1593000,2093000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2317584-981c3a1d6f47572151fc979f2896ef9a&start=1593&end=2093","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2317584-981c3a1d6f47572151fc979f2896ef9a/thumbnail_1593000.jpg","/articles/6328759/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Superintendent-appointment-to-remain-shortterm-while-advisory-board-frames-search-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328759-772e69a612fde1a00210023131cc5273/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185071&Signature=BUchHUDLCD8biTdLXCCSPOWoDdbErBQgbhqERCdhl8GuhRmsRG5Ya0DtscJBMa3ZrQI9DYAfySRY-f0eJ1Gmk40lQiDzNW1H40SmCF-rj-3BT3JY-Pr3DUzeROs1hcKoHljWOod1BAMnbmUzG77pbJzTvATOIavij3ETx8UyrPsFLlDNWjTwsOkxVB0gp0OUGCrwX7fjeiMHG5zjSy6QkS4CAammuw7m-EEJbCZvpRDzlkPfUi-psZIcPJP2euDWJ6XW4pz3r15eoCyUlqn2R-VQebkB7NmCEozEEomyiTxIKz3OWxCreVx678pzn-D4iL421Fw78uMrHWs05CJ-qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The joint committee discussed the current status of the superintendent position and a community advisory board the school committee appointed to advise on a potential superintendent search.

School Superintendent Anthony Soto told the joint committee the school committee decided to appoint him “for up to a year, essentially,” so the district has operational leadership while a community advisory board and consultant consider the scope and timing of a full search. Soto said state guidance and best practice favor starting a competitive search in November for a July 1 start date the following year to attract a larger pool of qualified candidates.

Soto described the advisory group as a large cross section of participants — he referenced lists of roughly 27 to about 40 people who applied to participate — and said the district contracted with the Lower Pioneer Valley Planning Commission as the primary vendor; that organization subcontracted part of the work to Great Schools Partnership. The advisory group’s role, he said, is not to vet candidates but to advise the school committee on whether to conduct a search and what qualities the community wants in a superintendent. Soto told the committee he expects the advisory group’s report in April and the school committee will use that input to decide whether to run a search for a superintendent who would start in summer 2026 if a search is pursued.

The committee voted to receive the communication from the Holyoke Teachers Association and to record the district update as received. Committee members asked for clarity on the advisory board’s timeline and membership; Soto said the group is being facilitated by a paid consultant and will report back to the school committee.","The committee heard that Anthony Soto has been appointed for up to one year while a community advisory board and consultant advise the school committee on whether to conduct a full superintendent search.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6328763,"Holyoke committee backs using Metcalfe for alternative programs, asks DPW about crosswalks",1412,158000,1570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2317584-981c3a1d6f47572151fc979f2896ef9a&start=158&end=1570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2317584-981c3a1d6f47572151fc979f2896ef9a/thumbnail_158000.jpg","/articles/6328763/Holyoke-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Holyoke-committee-backs-using-Metcalfe-for-alternative-programs-asks-DPW-about-crosswalks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328763-962ccc4871d24b28a84b9c90006620af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185071&Signature=nRfNJw-C3bHWOm3aMoaGZh-7WGaMh9KGh6baZg8sQQvE4gPmiQ1It8vIkzM5s04yAtQ5FTttZUP7Unm60E2KXV2jhRBYUOBUV~7nhXtOizIsWSLp2KV5VRLJABYrI4Iy4xn9WFoqvxtwsN1fDZ6JTAUs7QicP-FwmOMXPIVgz~MYtNfSFDclU1SwkA2MW1XA0B6h2-UcMRD82e1LyHETsvGwP5WquRHIt8nIqCJPUCY4roe9FmY30pC2QU9xmqlDR4WmIDvPIthAXIJMExN6Z7sk93FsrACiJIDZBVCEBmPmXkZsWGs1yVdIoTiJzNds9YPZhHPXgVAUd3aEhmbwFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The joint committee of the Holyoke City Council and School Committee on an item introduced by Councilors Bartley, Jourdain and Graney accepted a working-group recommendation to pursue use of Metcalfe School for alternative educational programs and related headquarters/space planning.

The recommendation came after a report from a Metcalfe working group presented by School Superintendent Anthony Soto, who said the group evaluated roughly 14 options and recommended using Metcalfe for Opportunity Academy–style programs to replace leased space the district now pays $50,000 a year to rent.

The working-group report recommends moving the district’s age‑over, under‑credited Opportunity Academy into Metcalfe and creating a smaller, new alternative program for ninth and tenth graders (with later expansion to middle grades). “This is a really good pathway for them to, you know, step away from the traditional high school setting and do the work that they need to do to catch up on credits and get a diploma,” Superintendent Anthony Soto said. Soto said the current alternative program serves “over 50 students” overall and that daily attendance typically ranges between about 50 and 70 students. He said the new program would start small — “20 to 40 kids” — with room to expand as needed. The working group also recommended exploring whether part of central office could move to Dean and whether the transitions program currently at Open Square could remain there while a longer-term plan is developed.

The discussion also included concerns about student access and parking at Metcalfe and parent resistance to moving transition students back to a traditional high school environment. Councilor Kevin Jourdain, who moved the item from the table, said the century‑old Metcalfe building “is iconic and should be preserved” and asked staff to consider both temporary and long‑term uses that keep students’ needs in mind. School committee member Willahen and others described the Opportunity Academy graduation as a smaller, personal ceremony that has helped some older students complete requirements they otherwise would have missed.

The committee also considered a separate order asking the city to install flashing crosswalk signals at two crosswalks near Metcalfe School. Councilors noted there is currently no designated crossing guard and that school staff sometimes assist students crossing the street. Superintendent Soto told the committee that Metcalfe historically had most students bused but that rezoning has increased walkers and that crossing guards are hard to recruit. He also recommended the committee involve the fire department’s alarm division for push‑button or signal troubleshooting if infrastructure is in question.

The committee voted to remove the Metcalfe item from the table and later voted that the item had been complied with (voice votes; recorded as adopted by the committee). On the crosswalk order, the committee voted to table the item and requested a report from the Department of Public Works and the fire department’s alarm division about the status of any existing signal infrastructure and options for flashing signals or guards.

The superintendent and the working group recommended using consultants for space‑planning studies before any final decisions on central‑office consolidation or program moves. The school department emphasized it would try to limit capital requests to the city for Metcalfe work and noted some furniture or modest capital changes would likely be needed if programs move.

The committee said it will continue reviewing the working‑group report, include it on the full school committee agenda, and pursue consultant cost estimates and options for retaining the Open Square transition program if families prefer it to remain there.","The joint City Council–School Committee subcommittee accepted a working-group recommendation to explore using Metcalfe School for alternative and transitional education programs and asked city staff to report back on crosswalk safety near the school.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Holyoke committee reviews facilities inventory, approves schematic design funds and asks schools to study headquarters options

Holyoke schools issue memo to ease immigrant‑family anxiety; committee records statement received

Superintendent appointment to remain short‑term while advisory board frames search process

Holyoke committee backs using Metcalfe for alternative programs, asks DPW about crosswalks