“The Era of Manifestations” was a period from 1837 to the mid-1850s when Shakers came under a spiritual revival marked by visions and ecstatic experiences among the followers.
Great Barrington's assessment will rise a projected 6.7 percent to about $16.4 million, in part because of an increase in the town's state-mandated minimum local contribution, which determines a minimum each town should pay based on the wealth of the community.
At a meeting Thursday night, the school committee voted unanimously to ask Superintendent Peter Dillon to draft a mission and recommend the composition of a panel that would meet regularly and propose a solution for the aging school.
Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee member Richard Dohoney said the school committee should be focusing on a realistic goal such as sharing services or merging with another nearby school district.
Contrary to what many district critics have said, Great Barrington alone accounts for 54.21 percent of the district's budgeted revenue but the town has 72 percent of the in-district enrollment, or 53.51 percent of total enrollment.
The towns will pay for future improvements or building projects for the district’s three schools based on what the state calls “equalized value [EQV],” defined as the “full and fair cash value” of all taxable property in a town.
“Near and dear to my heart is to renovate Monument in the coming years...at some point it’s going to become unsafe.”
-- BHRSD School Committee member Fred Clark
