HOLYOKE — Jackie Glasheen wiped away tears Thursday night after she was selected to be Holyoke’s first superintendent after the city exited receivership last year following a decade of state control.
A Holyoke native who has served as assistant superintendent since May 2025, Glasheen will take the helm beginning July 1 following contract negotiations.
Before becoming assistant superintendent, Glasheen worked for more than 30 years in the Holyoke school system, having taught special ed classes at Lynch and serving as the principal at Kelly and E.N. White. She has also served as the executive director of school leadership.
School Committee Chair Yadilette Rivera-Colón said all three candidates who came forward were “excellent,” but touted Glasheen as the woman for the job after a year of searching.
“During the interview process, it became quite evident that Mrs. Glasheen is a deeply student-centered and compassionate leader whose calm, steady presence and inclusive heart have left a lasting impact on students, families, and educators,” said Rivera-Colón. “She has built strong community partnerships, empowered and supported teachers, and created thoughtful, sustainable change that helps every child feel known, supported, and valued.”
Competing against Glasheen for the spot were Carmen Melendez Quintero, executive director of inclusive education at Boston City Schools, and Annie Azarloza, interim superintendent of schools at Northumberland, Stratford & Stark Schools in New Hampshire.
“We had a strong pool of qualified candidates to consider for the position, and we appreciate all the time and energy they each brought to the interview process,” said Rivera-Colón.
Glasheen steps in for Interim Superintendent Anthony Soto, who did not apply for the superintendent position. But Soto will stick around as chief of finance and operations for the Holyoke Public Schools.
The state took control of Holyoke’s schools in 2015, when it designated the city as a “chronically under-performing district,” due to low test scores and dropping attendance rates.
Over the course of the city’s decadelong receivership, Holyoke Public Schools had three receivers, most recently Soto. When receivership came to an end last July, Soto was appointed interim superintendent.
In a statement issued Friday, Mayor Joshua Garcia was described as “jubilant” after hearing the news.
“Jackie is the total package,” the mayor stated.
He continued: “As everyone knows, the Holyoke school system worked its way out of state receivership after nearly 10 years of state control. It was the achievement of a dream — a dream shared by the parents, teachers, School Committee, Superintendent’s office and my office. Now I have a new dream: that Holyoke’s public school will become the first choice for parents and families from West Holyoke to South Holyoke, and other communities within the Hampden and Hampshire region, and that the export of Holyoke students to surrounding towns will become a memory.”