School district activities director to leave Nov. 7

Holyoke School District’s athletic and activities director Corey Koberstein will step down on Nov. 7. Though Koberstein didn’t answer a request for comment at press time, District Superintendent Kyle Stumpf said the director seemed to want to focus on his family. 

The district’s Board of Education approved Koberstein’s resignation 6-0 during their Thursday evening meeting. He served in the role since July 2021and as a coach in the district for six years prior.

Calling the position “very demanding,” Stumpf said it wasn’t uncommon for Koberstein to coordinate “four different events taking place in four different towns on the same day,” many located three hours outside of Holyoke. The school board, he continued, “feels very strongly about” having supervisors at every event for student safety and interaction.

“We have league band, league choir, drama productions, cheer,” he said. “And then the traditional sports.” Between the high school and junior high, and girls and boys teams, sports are divided into 16 categories on the district’s website. 

Looking through the school year, he said, the district has events scheduled on 235 days, including weekends.

Its website, www.hcosd.org, currently has a position open for an athletic/activities/small vehicle director who will coordinate activities, promote physical fitness and ensure students have the opportunity to participate in athletic programs. If the district can’t find a full-time applicant, they’re considering other options. In the past, Stumpf said, they’ve hired a half-time director or split the position.

Koberstein, according to Stumpf, “was a great individual who made positive impacts with kids.” Now, the superintendent continued, Koberstein will “step back and support his kids in a different way.”

The superintendent encourages any Holyoke community members who want to help the school to look into volunteering for upcoming activities and/or sports events.