Tuesday, February 18, 2025

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CONNECTIONS: In this fraught time, focus locally

It is important for us to feel relevant at a time when it is easy to feel small and impotent.

Election Day questions, no answers

In her letter Susan Olshuff of Lenox write; "We’ve all heard the quote by Einstein that 'you can’t fix a problem from the same level of thinking that created the problem in the first place.' "

Energy committee disputes Berkshire Edge analysis of gas pipeline decision

"The six New England states never, as the article stated, made “a decision to impose a charge of dubious legality on all New England ratepayers in order to support the funding of a natural gas pipeline that is planned to traverse Massachusetts." -- Heather Hunt, executive director of New England States Committee on Electricity

Despite renovation defeat, Monument Mountain High School still needs fixing

In her letter, Karen Smith writes: "I would suggest that those who think the plan put forth was flawed, to suit up, show up, be present and do the work it takes in order to remedy the situation."

District needs a ‘clear’ vision of 21st century education

In his letter, David Long of Housatonic writes: "This is not a time for the opposition to gloat, or the pro side to be discouraged. Yes one opportunity has been rejected. But now we have a new opportunity to do something even better."

Supt. Dillon responds to misinformation, sets record straight

In his letter, Berkshire Hills Supt. Peter Dillon writes: "Recent posts on social media, letters and comments on radio programs are so filled with inaccuracies and glaring omissions that it makes sense to set the record straight. Our recent community dialogues about the high school renovation project have surfaced a range of concerns that may have been ignored for decades. We’re working hard to resolve them and are making significant progress."

Reduce the size of Monument Mountain Regional High School

In his letter, Lou Davis writes: "My objection is not to the cost of quality education, or paying the taxes necessary to support it. I do object to having my taxes subsidize out-of-District students."

Editorial: Vote ‘Yes’ to fix the high school

If Great Barrington is to have a future as good as its past, it must embrace the new industries that are springing up, and the new people who are coming to town to participate in them. These new people are attracted by a town where the institutions of American civic life still function, where they can get their children a first-rate public education for their property tax dollars.

A high school upgraded for the next generation of students

In his letter Berkshire Hills Superintendent Peter Dillon writes: "Doing the project as presented addresses the school’s inadequacies in systematic and deliberate ways that actually will cost us less than doing it piecemeal. It gives us a wonderful space for learning for the next fifty years."

The other ‘No’ vote risks

In her letter, Ellen Lahr of Housatonic writes: "I’m willing to pitch in $218 per year to create a safe, healthy and collaborative learning environment for our district’s teachers and students. I surely support that $23.2 million in school construction funds that the state is ready to send our way."

Invest in teachers, not better equipped buildings

In her letter, Vivian Orlowski writes: "Being pro-education means supporting the people and the programs — it does not equate to being pro-construction."

Facts, not fear-mongering, in considering high school renovation

In his letter, Andy Potter of Great Barrington writes: "I have begun to see a line of argument that borders on dishonest fear-mongering of the sort we have become used to from our national political discourse."

Jeremy Higa for School Committee

In their letter, Gene Kalish and Anne Hutchinson write: "Just as he has dedicated himself to his family and their education, we believe that he will dedicate himself to the betterment of the school district."

School renovation an investment in economic development

In her letter, Leigh Davis, a member of the Great Barrington Finance Committee, notes: "One of the best and most compelling ways to attract young parents to come to or stay in Berkshire County is to have schools that are attractive and desirable for their kids to attend."

67 teachers, staff endorse high school renovation

The teachers write: "We believe that the proposed renovation will dramatically improve the building's use as an educational tool, both in design and function, for the next 50+ years. The renovated MMRHS will create a safe and healthy learning environment."

Repair, don’t renovate, Monument Mountain Regional High School

In her letter, Sharon Gregory claims that "strategic resource planning and belt tightening" are preferable to renovation of the high school, and that "programmatic and facilities duplication has not been addressed."

Don’t deprive children for unrelated school-funding issues

In his letter, architect Housatonic Diego Gutierrez defends the 5-year process through which the Monument Mountain Regional High School renovation project was developed.