DISTRICT OVERVIEW

Holyoke Public Schools (HPS) serves 5,400 students in 11 schools and employs nearly 1500 people.  The District was placed into receivership by the State of Massachusetts in Spring 2015, due to struggling performance well below the state average. Dr. Stephen Zrike Jr., a seasoned Massachusetts educator, was selected as Receiver to lead this exciting turnaround effort, which includes significant autonomy and flexibility from the traditional school system.  Since being in receivership, the District has experienced many promising successes.  In school year 2015-16, the District saw a 7-percentage point increase in proficiency in English Language Arts and a 4-point gain in Math, and attendance rates are up across the District.  HPS has also extended the school day for students in preschool to 8th grade, expanded choice programs such as dual language and personalized learning, and offering new opportunities to students, such as computer science and many other enrichment programs. For more information about the HPS Turnaround Plan, please visit: https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/turnaround/.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• To execute such duties as assigned by the Principal.
• To assist the Principal in establishing and maintaining an effective learning climate in the school.
• To develop with Principal and guidance personnel standards of conduct and action conducive to the effective operation of the building and its classes.
• To assert leadership in the development of the school handbook designed to define rules and regulations of the school with respect to student behavior.
• To orient newly assigned teachers and other staff members and assist in their development, as appropriate.
• To assist the Principal in the development, revision, and monitoring of the instructional program.
• To accept responsibility, under direction of the Principal, for publicizing school programs and events.
• To attend all public functions of the school.
• To act in place of the Principal in his/her absence.
• To assume a leadership role, under the direction of the Principal, in the process of the curriculum review, development and adaptation.
• To consult with teachers on instructional problems as appropriate and to assist teachers in improving their classroom performance.
• To assist the Principal in providing appropriate staff development opportunities for teachers and other staff.
• To assert leadership in the coordination of the various components of the instructional program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree
• Training in Administration
• Massachusetts Certification in Principal/Assistant Principal; PreK-6 or 5-8 
• At least three (3) years of documented, successful school experience