HOLYOKE – Six months after the superintendent of Holyoke Public Schools, Dr. Stephen Zrike, announced he would be stepping down at the end of the year, his successor has been announced.

Zrike was first appointed to the position of the Holyoke Public Schools superintendent in 2015, and announced his resignation on Dec. 19 after five years with the district via a statement on the Holyoke Public Schools’ Facebook page. He cited the desire to spend more time with his family and a want to be closer to his home in Andover as significant reasons for his resignation.

On May 7, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeff Riley announced in a letter to Holyoke students, families, staff and community members that he’d appointed Dr. Alberto Vázquez Matos as the district’s new superintendent.

Vázquez Matos, who was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in New York City, currently serves as the deputy superintendent of the Hartford Public Schools in Connecticut. Riley spoke highly of Vázquez Matos’ experience and the skills he had acquired through his years working in the field of education.

Riley’s letter reads, in part: “He began his career in education immediately after graduating from college and has served as a teacher, academic dean, assistant principal, adjunct professor, associate superintendent, superintendent, and chief of staff in various communities in New York and Florida. In those roles, he developed district-wide strategic plans, led transformation work, and developed school and district policies and systems.

Riley also thanked those “who shared their thoughts about the qualities they hoped to see in the district’s next superintendent/receiver.” He said the feedback received assisted in informing his appointment of Vázquez Matos.

In a video message posted on the Holyoke Public Schools Media Center YouTube channel, Vázquez Matos addressed families, students, district employees and community members. He spoke of his pride that he’d been selected to be superintendent by Riley and expressed his gratitude that Zrike had welcomed him warmly.

“I am proud that commissioner Riley has selected me to be your new receiver and superintendent. I am grateful to Dr. Zrike for his warm welcome and his willingness to work with me for a smooth transition,” he said.

Vázquez Matos named a few positions he’d held including “teacher, a principal, an administrator, a leader and hopefully always a good friend.” He said, with the support of families, students, community members and district employees that they could “build on the good work that is already underway in Holyoke.”

During the statement, which was filmed in both English and Spanish, Vázquez Matos expressed his belief “that every student should have equitable access to their learning, and the opportunity to achieve in school and in life.”

Vázquez Matos said he plans on “leading the district with integrity, innovation and a strategic vision.”     

He continued, “I will also work every day to ensure that our district operates from an equity mindset and is inclusive of all students despite the challenges of this current time of the COVID pandemic. I remain very hopeful for the future.”

He ended his filmed message by expressing his excitement to begin the “new chapter of my life” and meet everyone in person. “I am excited to begin this new chapter of my life with you as we find new ways of working together to support our students and families,” Vázquez Matos said. “I am looking forward to the day when I can meet each of you all in person. In the meantime, I hope that you all are staying healthy.”

Vázquez Matos will begin his work as the superintendent of Holyoke Public Schools on July 1.