SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. – A week after it was announced that Holyoke will be removed from state receivership, Southbridge Public School's receiver said their district has seen measurable improvement, but it will take a little more time.

The state took control of Southbridge in 2016, citing a report showing a lack of improvement between 2012 and 2015, when the district was already in a warning stage.

Jeffrey Villar has served as the district's receiver since 2018. He said the district's turnaround plan looks at things like attendance, discipline ratios and if the town is able to manage the system.

"I would have to say, based on the progress we have on climate culture, for sure, and based on the fact that we are beginning to see some academic improvement, that's, I think, fairly significant. We're definitely on the closer to the exit side of things than on the 'we're just getting started,'” said Villar.

Holyoke's Public Schools will no longer be under state receivership starting next year.

Villar periodically meets with the state's commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

The commissioner will need to extend the district's turnaround plan next November, if it still needs to be in receivership. The decision is ultimately up to the commissioner.