PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Four of the five executive summaries on alleged staff misconduct at Pittsfield High School have been released, including for Pittsfield High's former dean of students, Lavante Wiggins. 

Wiggins is identified as "administrator 1" in the report. 

Three administrators and two teachers, past and present, were investigated by Bulkley Richardson and Gelinas LLP for a range of allegations that surfaced or re-surfaced at the end of 2024 after Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine in Western Massachusetts.

BRG, commissioned by the School Committee,

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district's middle and elementary school restructuring aims to give every student equal opportunity regardless of their address.

On Monday, the Middle School Restructuring Committee held a public hearing for the proposal to create an upper elementary school for grades 5-6 and a junior high school for grades 7-8 by the 2026-2027 academic year. The model also groups prekindergarten and first grade in one school and grades 2-4 in another.

"We see the opportunities. We know there's going to be challenges, but we see those opportunities as outweighing those," Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Educational Engagement Matthew

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Four external candidates for Pittsfield's interim superintendent will be interviewed this week.

They are Roland Joyal Jr., Latifah Phillips, Robert Putnam, and Mary Jane Rickson. Outgoing Superintendent Joseph Curtis will step down on July 1 after 30 years with the district.

On Tuesday, School Committee Chair William Cameron reported via email that 11 applications were submitted to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees for the one-year interim superintendent position.

"The School Committee's Personnel & Negotiations Subcommittee has reviewed all the materials submitted to MASC by applicants," he wrote. "There were no

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Public School's budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes added communication supports and a special project manager.

The School Committee on Wednesday adopted a $86,450,361 budget for fiscal year 2026 that includes an $18 million city contribution and more than $68 million of anticipated Chapter 70 funding.

It is a $3,765,084 increase from this year. With $450,000 in school choice and Richmond tuition funds, it totals $86,900,361.

While the bottom line stayed the same, this iteration of the budget accommodates the School Committee's two requests, reallocating $20,000 for contracted communications services and $80,000 for a special project

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state now controls what can and can't be released on the Pittsfield High School investigation.

On Wednesday, the School Committee voted to refer the investigative report to Manza Arthur, supervisor of records with the secretary of state's office, and ask her to return a proper redacted report to release to the public.

The Pittsfield Public Schools have been ordered to release non-exempt parts of Bulkley Richardson & Gelinas' investigation into alleged staff wrongdoing by May 8 after community advocate

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools have been ordered to release non-exempt parts of the PHS investigation report by May 8 after a community advocate filed a public records request.

"Pittsfield residents deserve transparency when it comes to the actions of public officials within taxpayer-funded institutions," petitioner and Pittsfield resident Ciara Batory said in a press release on Monday.

 "The community has a right to understand how serious issues are investigated and addressed. This decision is a win for every parent, student, and resident who believes in open, honest governance."

Batory has children in the school system, she said,

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of two new staff members and two promotions. 

Mary Budzn joins BCC as Alumni Relations and Philanthropy Manager. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, she earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre arts from Boston University. A Lenox resident, she has lived in the Berkshires since 2018, when she moved to the area to work for Shakespeare & Company’s training department, which led to her career in development. Most recently, she worked for Bard College at Simon’s Rock in various roles, including Advancement Services Associate, Annual Giving Manager, student advisor and adjunct

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