Forming a new or combined district, as both have indicated a willingness to explore, could take a minimum of two to three years. In addition, there would need to be a transition period of several months to a year.
Tag: Massachusetts Association of School Committees
In ‘historic night,’ two districts set wheels in motion for merger
Berkshire Hills voted unanimously to appoint two subcommittees. The first will focus on the nuts and bolts of a potential consolidation. On the recommendation of the Southern Berkshire school committee, a second subcommittee would focus on the educational aspect of the potential consolidation.
Member towns might override South Berkshire School District’s reluctance to pursue merger
The Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee voted unanimously to send a letter to Southern Berkshire and its five member towns asking to establish a planning group to explore consolidation for grades 9-12
Berkshire Hills official wants referendum on possible merger with SBRSD
The recommendation came amid mounting frustration with the slow pace of progress in gaining public approval for taking some tangible action.
News Briefs: GB voter registration deadline; Knob Hill construction; Hinds named commission chair
Sen. Adam G. Hinds, D-Pittsfield, has announced that he has been appointed to co-chair the Special Commission on Improving Efficiencies in Student Transportation by Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Ashland.
At school committees forum lawmakers, school officials agree: Critical need to reform school funding, Chapter 70 aid
Massachusetts Association of School Committees executive director Glenn Koocher explained that the ability of a school district’s population to fund local education determines how much state aid the district gets from the state.
At Pittsfield’s urging, Berkshire Hills challenges state school funding formula in strong terms
Officials say the foundation budget is adjusted and increased each year but mostly along the lines of inflation. But several expenses school districts are confronted with increase at a pace that greatly exceeds inflation: health insurance for current employees and retirees; special education, especially out-of-district placements; English language instruction for non-native speakers; preschool; data collection, including how students are counted; and transportation.
Task force eyes school union as path to countywide district, as lawmakers mull legislation
State Rep. William ‘Smitty’ Pignatelli also urged the task force to increase the breadth of its representation: “We don’t need retired school superintendents making decisions about schools and towns … It’s time for new faces, and we need to engage everyone.”
Stephen Cozzaglio, 85, of Lee, former principal of Lee Elementary School
Mr. Cozzaglio taught for 13 years, six of which were in Stockbridge; was vice principal for 22 years and principal for three years within the Lee Elementary School system.
News Briefs: Berkshire County Education Task Force; Williams College seeking homes for weatherization
During Winter Blitz, teams of Williams students go out and prepare homes for winter weather by installing storm windows, door sweeps, and energy-efficient light bulbs.
Lee, Berkshire Hills school districts consider aspects of consolidation
“Good for Berkshire Hills. If at the end of the day it takes five, fifteen, maybe twenty years, what education will look like in south Berkshire County is that Berkshire Hills will be the mothership.”
— State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli
Berkshire public schools must consolidate to survive, conference concludes
“There is no financially sustainable model for schools anywhere in Berkshire County right now. With less than 3,500 high school students in all Berkshire County, the way the lines are drawn now, doesn’t make sense. If you don’t change, someone will make the change for you — in this case it’s the state.”
— State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli