Holyoke Public Schools 57 Suffolk Street Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040

Tel. (413) 534-2005

Fax. (413) 534-2297

Dr. Paul Hyry-Dermith

April 30, 2015
Dear Parents, Educators, and Staff of the Holyoke Public Schools, Community Partners and Supporters:
On Tuesday the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to move our district into receivership. I have been
working through, and will continue to work through, my own emotional process in this regard. I want to share with you some of my
reflections and to ask you to join me in doing the right thing, immediately and firmly. I will be as brief as I can.

I love Holyoke. While I didnt grow up or originally plan to spend my life here, from the time I began volunteering around
HIV/AIDS here 21 years ago until now, through my work as a community organizer, adult educator, principal, and assistant
superintendent, I have deeply appreciated every opportunity and the many, many kindnesses our city has showed me. I love
living here, being part of this community, and working here.
It is, quite simply, a great joy for me to work with HPSs leaders, teachers, and staff members. I could go on about this part
forever, but will avoid doing so.
I have loved being assistant superintendent under Dr. Paez for the past 22 months. Dr. Paez brought incredible urgency, a
focus on data, and a willingness to make tough choices and do the right thing to Holyoke. He has supported my leadership
and ideas, held me accountable for my performance, and been a good friend to me during this period.
I have deeply appreciated the opportunity to work with the Holyoke School Committee. Every member of the Committee has
expressed professional and personal support for me on multiple occasions, and Committee members have demonstrated great
care and regard for Holyokes children in their deliberations and decision-making.
I have learned a great deal in working with the leadership of the Holyoke Teachers Association during this period. It has
been productive at some times and very tough going at others, but through it all I know that the HTA is full of deeply
committed and serious educators who want nothing less than the best for our children, families, and communities.
It is also a great joy to work with the many partners from community organizations, colleges and universities, state and local
agencies, and other entities on HELI, HASHPPAC, culturally relevant schooling, our other Full Service Community
School/District initiatives, and many, many other projects. Partnership in support of children must continue to be a central
part of our work going forward.

With all of that said, there is no question in my mind that the right thing to do now, for all of us, is to do the emotional work that
we need to in order to accept and ultimately embrace receivership and be part of making it work for our children and families.
While the future is unclear in many ways, some things are very clear to me:

The Holyoke Public Schools are and will remain open for business. We need to continue our work now, and to know
that there is and will be good work for serious, committed, effective educators. There will definitely be new
opportunities for all of us to grow in our practices. In fact, there are likely to be new opportunities for leaders and
teachers to have a stronger voice in the direction of your schools than there have been in the past.
The Commissioners Level 5 team is full of talented professionals. They will bring significant knowledge and skill that
will enhance our capacity to improve our schools. I know some of them well, and know that they are committed to
helping us to improve our schools for our children. I will work with them with enthusiasm because doing so is the best
thing for our children and families.
While I have no knowledge of who the receiver will be, I am essentially certain that it will be an individual new to our
community. I hope and believe that the Commissioner will make a wise choice in selecting the receiver, and I will
personally welcome the receiver to Holyoke when s/he arrives, because doing so is the best thing for our children and
families.

Please join me, immediately and in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, in doing the right thing. For now that means staying
focused on our workwith these children and families, this year. It also means actively dispelling myths and rumors related to
receivership. It means being flexible and open to change. And it means doing our best to assure that all of our actions are motivated

by our hopes, dreams, and good intentions for Holyokes children. Each of us knows in our hearts the right thing to do at this time. I
ask us to assure that our actions reflect what is in our hearts.
With great respect and appreciation,
Paul