BCC Seeks Support for New Athletic Lockers | 08:36AM / Monday, March 31, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass — The lockers in Berkshire Community College (BCC)'s Paterson Field House are in need of support and repair — and, recognizing the immediate need to replace them, BCC Athletics has created a $10,000 fund drive. The men's baseball and women's volleyball teams were recently accepted into NJCAA Division III Region 21, marking a milestone in bringing varsity sports back to the College. "Our immediate goal is to raise $10,000 to replace the failing lockers and create a functional, supportive environment for our athletes. Every dollar gets us closer, and every contribution — big or small — will make an >> Read More |
Pittsfield School Committee Accepts MS Restructuring TimelineBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:31AM / Monday, March 31, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee has accepted a middle school restructuring plan that runs through September 2026, triggering the first public hearing next month.
Planning begins in April and includes action items for curriculum and instructional models, scheduling, staffing, transportation, physical plant needs, and community engagement. By the 2026-2027 school year, it aims to have an intermediate school serving Grades 5-6 and a middle school for seventh and eighth graders.
"We didn't ask for approval because it could change at a moment's notice," Superintendent Joseph Curtis said about the timeline at Wednesday's School Committee meeting.
Public
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Leah Penniman to Speak at BCC Earthseed Series.| 08:00AM / Sunday, March 30, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) will host Leah Penniman as part of its Earthseed Speaker Series & Skillshare on Thursday, April 10, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event, which is open to the public, will take place in the Koussevitzky Arts Center, Room K111. Registration is available at www.berkshirecc.edu/earthseed. Penniman, co-founder and co-executive director of Soul Fire Farm in Petersburg, NY, will speak about her work in food justice and sustainable agriculture. Soul Fire Farm, established in 2010, focuses on addressing racial disparities within the food system and promoting land access for Black and Brown communities. >> Read More |
BCC Celebrates This Year's 40 Under Forty RecipientsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:36PM / Saturday, March 29, 2025 | |
The awards were presented by Barbara Hochberg, right, vice president of the Berkshire Community College Foundation. See more photos here. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 300 community members attended the 40 Under Forty Awards celebration on Thursday, recognizing individuals who are dedicated to improving the quality of life for those in the Berkshires. Berkshire Community College received several hundred nominations this year and narrowed it down to 40 unsung heroes who have achieved many accomplishments, college President Ellen Kennedy said. Kennedy said it was wonderful to see previous winners nominating the next >> Read More |
Pittsfield High Investigation Extended One MonthBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:29PM / Thursday, March 27, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The school district-initiated investigation into alleged misconduct of Pittsfield High School staffers will conclude by the end of April, one month later than expected.
On Wednesday, the School Committee voted to extend the retainer agreement with Bulkley Richardson & Gelinas for investigations of wrongdoing by "certain Pittsfield Public School Employees."
"The investigation is coming to a close, but it may not be finished, and the documents may not be completed by the 31st of March, which was the date for the original retainer," Chair William Cameron said.
"And so, although I do not believe that we will be waiting until April 30 to
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BCC Offers Info Session on Free Community College | 08:18AM / Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) will hold an information session on how you could attend community college for free on Wednesday, April 2 from 6-7 p.m. The session will be held at North Adams Public Library, located at 74 Church Street, North Adams. To register by April 2, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/freecollege. The free college information session provides an overview of how the Commonwealth's financial assistance programs allow all Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree to attend BCC for free — no tuition and no fees. The programs also include an allowance for books and supplies for
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St. Agnes Academy to Hold Informational Session in Pittsfield| 10:43AM / Wednesday, March 19, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — St. Agnes Academy (SAA) in Dalton will hold a meet-and-greet informational session at Sacred Heart Parish in Pittsfield on Sunday, March 23, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The event will be held in the Sacred Heart Parish Center. The gathering will provide an opportunity for parents and guardians to learn more about the pre-K through eighth-grade Catholic school, which is currently enrolling for the 2025-2026 school year. SAA teachers, the principal, and parents will be available to provide information and answer questions. Refreshments will be available. More information is available by calling 684-3143, emailing rfleury@saintagnescc.com, or visiting
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CBRSD School Committee OKs $36M BudgetBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:15AM / Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a gross final budget of $36,643,001 for fiscal 2026, an increase of 2.70 percent over this year. The biggest cause of the increase is from insurances. The district's active health insurance premiums increased by 16 percent; retirees had an increase of 20 percent, and a 3 percent increase in dental, said Gregory Boino, director of finance and operations. Another large increase was for special education transportation costs, which increased $135,000, "and it's just to meet the actual expenditures where we're living right now," Boino said. The district's >> Read More |
St. Mary's Team Takes 24th Annual Berkshire Robotics Challenge By Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:21AM / Monday, March 17, 2025 | |
Trophies for this year's Robotic Challenge. DALTON, Mass. — The 24th annual Berkshire Robotics Challenge, hosted and sponsored by the Berkshire Innovation Center, was held Saturday, March 15, at Wahconah Regional High School. "This is such a great after school activity for them to get involved in. So they can learn all about science and technology and math, but also have that, you know, learn to collaborate with teammates and work with friends and problem solve as a team, said said Berkshire Innovation Center executive director, Ben Sosne. "So all those great skills that you learn team activities, plus the science and technology stuff that you learn
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Pittsfield School District Says No Personnel Layoffs PlannedBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:39PM / Friday, March 14, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district says that no school employees will lose their jobs because of reductions in the fiscal year 2026 budget.
On Wednesday, the School Committee got a first look at the proposed $86,450,361 spending plan that has $1,238,000 in payroll reductions. District officials anticipate cuts will be made through job movement, attrition, retirements, etc.
"I want to be very clear that the reductions you see here, we don't anticipate anyone actually losing a job through budget reductions," Superintendent Joseph Curtis said.
"… We always think of pink slips or some kind of layoff slips that will make the headlines. We don't anticipate
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