Paez will be expected in Holyoke to replicate the improvement of third-graders' reading skills in Worcester.
Sergio Paez, newly appointed Holyoke school superintendent
HOLYOKE - Sergio Paez led programs in Worcester that increased reading scores for third-graders learning English, an ability to show results that was largely why he was chosen to be the next superintendent here, School Committee members said.
Worcester School Committee member John Monfredo said he believed the Holyoke community will like the results they'll be getting with Paez.
"He's been very thorough in doing research. I think they'll be very pleased with how he follows through in communicating with all parents," Monfredo said Thursday.
The School Committee appointed Paez, manager of supplemental support services for the Worcester public schools, Wednesday from a field of three finalists. He will take over when Superintendent David L. Dupont retires in June.
The superintendent will be paid $140,000 to $170,000 a year.
"I'm very excited to build a strong partnership with Dr. Paez and will work hand in hand with him to improve outcomes for all of our kids in the Holyoke public schools," said Mayor Alex B. Morse, chairman of the School Committee.
"Our future as a city depends on the quality of our schools, and I feel more optimistic about the future of our education system than I ever have before," Morse said.
A major issue here is a drive to improve reading abilities of third-graders as that is considered a transition year beyond which learning problems only worsen if the reading foundation is weak.
The city's third-grade reading proficiency is the state's lowest, while reading scores of third-graders who were learning English in the Worcester public schools jumped in proficiency from 18 percent to 48 percent since Paez joined the system in 2007, Morse said.
"Dr. Paez very clearly demonstrated his expertise and his commitment to making decisions that are good for kids - and if he can replicate the success he has had in Worcester here in Holyoke, we have many reasons to be optimistic," Morse said.
Joining Paez as finalists were Kimberly A. Wells, assistant Holyoke superintendent, and
Natalie B. Dunning, senior administrator of Common Core standards in the Springfield School Department.
"It was a very difficult decision for me, very difficult, but I think the committee has selected somebody that is going to lead the school system into the future and build upon the solid foundation that Dave Dupont laid," committee Vice Chairman Devin M. Sheehan said.
With English being the second language of most of the city's 5,800 students, Sheehan also said Paez's record of helping such children in Worcester read was key.
Ward 1 committee member Joshua A. Garcia said he scrutinized the finalists, interviewing and reading about them. One factor that swayed him, he said, was that Holyokers who began getting to know Paez told Garcia they liked what they were hearing about his capabilities with English-learning and special education students.
"Folks that heard about what Paez would do and the experience he would bring in those fields have been really inspired," Garcia said.
Paez said by phone moments after the School Committee vote that he was eager to begin working in the school system.
The 10-member committee took a roll-call vote to make the appointment of Paez unanimous, to show unified leadership. But the initial vote was Paez 7, Wells 3 and Dunning 0.
Ward 6 member William R. Collamore said he backed Wells because of her budget-management experience and her ability to get different groups working together.
"The reason I voted for Kim was I wanted the best for the city of Holyoke and our schoolchildren, and in my opinion, she was all around the best candidate," Collamore said.
Also, Collamore said, "You need someone who can work together and keep the morale up."
Also voting for Wells were member at large Howard B. Greaney Jr. and Ward 7 member Margaret M. Boulais, who couldn't be reached for comment.
Negotiations will begin soon on what will probably be a three-year contract for Paez, 46, of Leominster, who will have a year from his start date to move to Holyoke, Sheehan said.