To the editor:
At the recent Southern Berkshire Regional School District School Committee meeting, I shared public comments encouraging the committee to move forward with the superintendent search in a way that is broad, open, and inclusive. I specifically urged them to include not only school committee members but also parents, educators, and community members, ensuring that those most directly impacted by the decision have a seat at the table.
Shortly after, the committee voted to establish an ad hoc screening committee composed entirely of school committee members. There was no discussion of the suggestion to include other stakeholders in the process.
That was disappointing.
Our district is facing a pivotal leadership transition. The next superintendent will help shape the tone, culture, and direction of our schools, and the person selected will impact every student, teacher, and family in the district.
Including a broader range of voices doesn’t complicate the process; it strengthens it. Involving educators, parents, and community members — a hiring practice encouraged by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — ensures transparency, builds trust, and invites the kind of collaboration our district needs and deserves.
At its heart, SBRSD is a close-knit district filled with people eager to support and strengthen our schools. It’s unfortunate they’ll be left out of one of the most important decisions we’ll make.
Kevin Fish
SBRSD Parent, Transcend Partnership Design Team Member, and PTA Officer
Sandisfield,
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