HOLYOKE — The Holyoke School Committee is tightening its playbook for a superintendent search, aiming for fairness and efficiency as it prepares to interview finalists next month.
During a meeting this week, committee members agreed to submit proposed interview questions by Jan. 21. That deadline ensures all candidates face the same core questions during public interviews.
Vice Chair Devin Sheehan outlined the process: a planning session on Jan. 26, finalist interviews the week of Feb. 9, and site visits in between.
At that point, the screening committee chair will introduce the finalists, and the School Committee will approve the questions it plans to ask.
“All interviews will be held in open session,” Sheehan said.
Committee member Patty Norris-Lubold noted that candidates’ varied backgrounds may call for flexibility and questioned why the candidates were being asked the same questions.
“People have different backgrounds and experiences, and while some licenses come with standard job expectations, not every question would — just like in any regular job interview — necessarily be appropriate,” she said.
There will be chances to ask follow-up questions, but the committee must ensure every candidate is asked the same core questions to keep the process fair, Sheehan said.
He added, “If not, we have to develop a separate interview guide for each candidate in public. We can certainly do that and do another meeting that week to go over our applications.”
Also, he said site visits will be less structured. Committee members and staff will have the opportunity to spend time with candidates throughout the day, he said.
School Committee President Yadilette Rivera Colón said it’s considered best practice to identify what matters most to the district and to make sure every candidate is asked about those priorities. She added there is room for one or two questions tailored to a candidate, but the basics should be covered for everyone.
Committee member Ellie Wilson said she looks forward to seeing what questions the committee proposes and then moving into a discussion about which ones to use.
The search for a new superintendent began Jan. 8 with a review of applications and a selection of interviews.
In October, the district contracted with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to lead the search.
At that time, Interim Superintendent Anthony Soto, who previously served as the state-appointed receiver, announced he will not apply for the permanent position.
The search follows the end of nearly a decade of state receivership and the district’s return to local governance on July 1, 2025.
A new superintendent is expected to be appointed by July 1.
During Monday’s meeting, the committee finalized another key decision: voting to appoint Soto as the system’s permanent chief financial officer.
His appointment comes as a recommendation from the leadership and accountability measurement subcommittee. The new position will be effective July 1, pending contract negotiations.
