A poll finds mixed public opinion about the recent state takeover of the public schools in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
A poll conducted by MassINC found Holyoke residents about evenly divided on receivership for the public schools. 44 percent approved of it, 46 percent oppose receivership and 10 percent had no opinion.
The poll also found 51 percent of people with young children, or planning to have children, said they would consider moving because of the schools. It’s a concern of Mayor Alex Morse.
" Property values are already low. Businesses and young families are not moving to Holyoke and they cite the public schools," he said.
The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted 8-3 last month to put the Holyoke schools in receivership because of chronically poor test scores and graduation rates.
