Dalton Select Board Approves ARPA Funds for Easement AppraisalsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:12PM / Monday, March 25, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board last week approved utilizing $7,500 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the appraisal of three easements. Two of the easements are located on Orchard Road and the other is on West Housatonic Street, Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said. The purpose of the appraisals is to determine the property's loss in value resulting from the taking of a permanent drainage easement so the town can compensate the owners accordingly. Each of the appraisals cost $2,500 a piece. Unless the owners agree to donate the easements, the town has to get them appraised and pay fair market value, Hutcheson said. The owner >> Read More |
CBRSD Amends School Calendar By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
10:20AM / Sunday, March 24, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved an amended version of its 2024-2025 school calendar that removed a controversial religious holidays' box. The box listing major religious holidays was originally included to inform teachers of what days students may be absent or fasting. The decision at the March meeting passed 10-4, with one abstaining. "I do not feel the religious holidays should be listed on here, given that I know that one of the justifications in other times were that these are days that teachers should be aware that they might have students that are either out or they might be fasting," School Committee member >> Read More |
MassDOT Work Zone Awareness Billboard Design Contest| 07:54AM / Saturday, March 23, 2024 | |
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announced the launch of its second National Work Zone Awareness Week billboard design contest, exclusively for Massachusetts college students. The contest aims to raise awareness of work zone safety and encourage drivers to exercise caution when passing through active construction and maintenance projects. "We're calling for all great ideas for our second annual National Work Zone Awareness Week billboard contest," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "Creative designs and advertisement are a powerful way to reach residents and remind them how to keep >> Read More |
Pittsfield Public School Budget Cuts Trigger Little Feedback at HearingBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Friday, March 22, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Few people attended a school budget hearing explaining the need to cut more than 100 Pittsfield Public School employees.
On Wednesday, two special education employees spoke about the importance of preserving positions within their department. Included in the proposed districtwide reductions are 27 teachers, 26 paraprofessionals, and seven instruction and accountability coordinators.
Special Education Coordinator Joanne McGill shared her experience over the last couple of years at Pittsfield High School, saying, "I am well aware that even some cuts will likely result in me losing my position as I am one of the newer employees.
"In those two
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Free community Screening of 'Till' | 12:26PM / Friday, March 22, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As part of the Pittsfield Public Schools Arts Integration & Community Partnership Program, a special collaboration between the school district and the Berkshire County chapter of the NAACP, a free community screening of the film, "Till," will be held at 6 p.m. on March 26 at Taconic High School at 96 Valentine Road in Pittsfield. The new program, which is centered on classroom-based arts integration instruction, launched in February with a professional development presentation to all secondary teachers and staff in the school district. The program was designed by Yvette "Jamuna" Sirker, MFA, PPS Coordinator for Arts Integration >> Read More |
Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M BudgetBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:25AM / Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a $35 million budget for fiscal 2025 during its meeting on Thursday. Much of the proposed spending plan is similar to what was predicted in the initial and tentative budget presentations, however, the district did work with the Finance subcommittee to further offset the assessments to the towns, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. "What you're going see in this budget is a lower average assessment to the towns than what you saw in the other in the tentative budget that was approved," she said. The fiscal 2025 budget is $35,428,892, a 5.56 percent or >> Read More |
BCC, Mill Town Partner to Support Philanthropy Through 40 Under Forty| 10:46AM / Monday, March 18, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) and the Mill Town Foundation announced a collaborative effort aimed at promoting philanthropy through the 40 under Forty awardees. For several years, BCC has been organizing the '40 Under Forty' event, an annual celebration honoring 40 young individuals in Berkshire County for their significant contributions to their communities. This year's event, scheduled for March 28, 2024, will go beyond recognition. "The nonprofit organizations of the Berkshires are essential to the way of life here. Giving back to these institutions is not only a way of thanking them, but also a way to promote giving in >> Read More |
Conte/Crosby SOI Greenlit by School Building Needs, School CommitteeBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:26PM / Sunday, March 17, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Building Needs Commission and the School Committee authorized the superintendent to submit a statement of interest for a combined elementary build on the site of Crosby Elementary School.
Now the SOI needs support from the City Council, which will be decided later this month ahead of the April 12 deadline.
The proposal rebuilds Conte Community School and Crosby on the West Street site with shared facilities, as both have outdated facilities, insufficient layouts, and need significant repair. A rough timeline shows a feasibility study in 2026 with design and construction ranging from 2027 to 2029.
Following the SOI, the next step would be a
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Pittsfield High School Best Buddies Club Holds Resource FairBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
11:53AM / Saturday, March 16, 2024 | |
The club was recently reinstituted after the pandemic sidelined the initiative. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Best Buddies Club Resource Fair at Pittsfield High School on Tuesday demonstrated the importance of connection. The Best Buddies Club is part of the national nonprofit Best Buddies International. According to its website, the organization aims to end the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's important to embrace differences and accept people for who they are without judgment. People don't have to be segregated because of their differences, PHS >> Read More |
Pittsfield's $80M School Budget Proposal 'Not Ideal,' Cuts Over 100 EmployeesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Saturday, March 16, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The school administration delivered a somber budget presentation for fiscal 2025, including a proposed reduction of more than 100 staff members.
"Tonight is truly about much change and certainly challenges and then choices and as being committed to the Pittsfield public schools for now 30 years, we certainly have been here before over different periods of time and I've experienced it in really all the roles I have held," Superintendent Joseph Curtis told the School Committee on Wednesday.
"We will get through this. We will continue to serve our children, our families, and our community and we will continue to show compassion and
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