The head of Holyoke, Massachusetts teachers’ union is responding to comments by the city’s superintendent – who says he now supports a state takeover of the school district.

In an interview with NEPR, Holyoke Superintendent Sergio Paez said that while as a city employee he has to oppose state receivership of the schools, he is personally open to the move, but wants to be named receiver, which would give him broader authority.

“To say that I’m disappointed in Paez’s change of position is an understatement,” says He says his vision for Holyoke schools is very different from the state, which Morales says puts too much emphasis on test scores.

“What I subscribe to is an idea that we teach in a holistic approach, we educate the whole child, we provide them with instruments, we provide them with art studios, we provide them with spaces where they can flourish as human beings,” Morales says.

The state could decide next week whether to take control of the city’s schools.