Workforce Development: Kaela Martin| 03:55PM / Thursday, January 08, 2026 | |
 Before Kaela Martin completed the Front Line Advanced Supervisor course at Berkshire Community College, she had already made smart career choices. She had landed a job as a welder fabricator at Lenco, an armored vehicle manufacturer in Pittsfield, in 2023 and was proving herself to be a valuable employee. But Kaela isn't the type of person to sit still and let her career path determine itself — or, worse, become stagnant. "I started kind of accidentally working my way up at Lenco, just my helping my crew chief and taking on extra responsibilities. They saw potential and wanted to develop that. They wanted to give me the tools to do my job properly," Kaela >> Read More |
OLLI at BCC Distinguished Speakers Series: Ukraine-Russia War in the Era of Trump 2.0| 03:49PM / Thursday, January 08, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI at BCC) presents the next installment of its Distinguished Speakers Series on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. Speaker James Brooke's talk, "Ukraine-Russia War in the Era of Trump 2.0," will provide an informative update and lively discussion on the Russia-Ukraine war. Brooke is a former New York Times foreign correspondent and a former Ukraine reporter. The free talk will be accessible via Zoom. To register, visit https://berkshireolli.org/event-6433453. A Zoom link will be provided upon registration. After the event, a recording will be available >> Read More |
Pittsfield Begins Search for OPM to Lead Crosby/Conte ProjectBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:40PM / Wednesday, January 07, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wheels are moving on the Crosby/Conte proposal.
On Tuesday, the School Building Needs Commission created a seven-member selection committee for an owner's project manager.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority, from which the district is seeking an 80 percent reimbursement, has invited Pittsfield Public Schools to a feasibility study phase, along with five other districts. On the table is a proposal to rebuild and consolidate the outdated John C. Crosby Elementary and Silvio O. Conte Community School on the Crosby property.
Potential solutions will be studied, and a cost estimate and schedule will be laid out. According to a schedule
>> Read More |
BCC Respiratory Care Student Wins Brad Leidich Memorial Scholarship | 07:40AM / Wednesday, January 07, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) student Marlena Pellon has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Brad Leidich Memorial Scholarship, with an award of $1,500. She is the first BCC student and the first in New England to win the prestigious award. The scholarship is presented to a first-generation student enrolled in an associate degree program in respiratory therapy. The winner has shown exemplary academic performance and has demonstrated a commitment to his or her career goals, as well as scholarly and community activities in respiratory care. "I am so humbled that I was chosen. It really made me reflect on my >> Read More |
BCC Invites Community Input on Library Renaming| 07:35AM / Tuesday, January 06, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is inviting students, alumni, employees, and community members to take part in the College's ongoing library renaming process. As a community-centered institution, BCC values broad input and encourages the public to help shape the future identity of this important campus space. As part of the process, BCC will host a virtual feedback session to gather community perspectives on a short list of proposed library names. Virtual Community Feedback Session Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026 Time: 5:00–6:00 p.m. Location: Zoom (registration >> Read More |
Community Feedback Essential During Ed CollaborativeBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:29AM / Tuesday, January 06, 2026 | |
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Ensuring everyone's voices are heard will be a constant during all stages of exploring secondary education collaborative efforts to achieve long-term sustainability in North Berkshire. Hoosac Valley Regional School District Superintendent Aaron Dean presented an update to at the Select Board last meeting of 2025 on the collaboration to pool resources and explore the possibility of regionalizing the three high schools and the elementary districts in the North Berkshire School Union. "I think it's something that we have to make sure we bring everybody's voice to the table and bring everybody's concerns to the table through >> Read More |
Central Berkshire Regional Schools: 2025 Year in ReviewBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:53PM / Monday, January 05, 2026 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School district saw a lot of success and change this year including new administrators, policies, and state recognition. The district kicked off its year with the goal to focus on equitable learning, social-emotional support, and family engagement. In an effort to support high-quality instruction, the district has implemented a new curriculum, leveraged instructional leadership, restrictions some of its Tier 2 supports, collaborated with families and local organizations, and established new programming. The year also came with a major change from theformer Superintendent Leslie >> Read More |
BCC Begins Search for New PresidentBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:52PM / Sunday, January 04, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College has begun its search for a new president as Ellen Kennedy prepares to retire at the end of the school year.
Led by a Presidential Search Committee and a search firm, candidates will be interviewed in early 2026, and the college’s new leader is set to begin work in July.
"The new President will strengthen and expand partnerships with regional businesses, industries, and community organizations that create pathways to student success and workforce development," the job profile reads.
"With a sincere commitment to fostering an environment of care for students, employees, and the broader
>> Read More |
2025 Year in Review: Pittsfield SchoolsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
08:10AM / Sunday, January 04, 2026 | |
Latifah Phillips was hired as interim superintendent and had her contracted extended through June 2027. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools began 2025 with a controversy over alleged staff misconduct, but were able to push forward with large projects that set the district up for the future.
The school system also saw new leadership in 2025, as interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips stepped into the position vacated by Joseph Curtis, who retired from the district after more than 30 years with the district. Additionally, the city has elected a new School Committee, which will be sworn in on Jan. 5.
"I want you to know that I understand the importance
>> Read More |
Pittsfield Teachers Get Bereavement Leave for Pregnancy LossBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:12AM / Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Public Schools educators can now use bereavement pay for a loss of pregnancy or a stillborn child.
On Dec. 10, the School Committee approved a memorandum of agreement with the United Educators of Pittsfield that allows the use of paid bereavement time for staff who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Teacher Emily Pink said educators had been denied the use of bereavement leave for pregnancy loss as a "qualifying loss," although the contract states that they are entitled to five days for the loss of an immediate family member, including children.
"I asked the School Committee to reconsider its interpretation
>> Read More |
|
|
