PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district is "moving on" from unsubstantiated allegations against two Pittsfield High School administrators, saying there is no threat.

Dean of Students Molly West returned to work last week after being put on leave in December. The Department of Children and Families has cleared West and Vice Principal Alison Shepard of misconduct claims that surfaced after another PHS dean was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine.

School Committee Chair William Cameron on Wednesday emphasized that when such an investigation finds no evidence of wrongdoing, fundamental fairness and

>> Read More

>> Read More

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wednesday's threat incident was Superintendent Joseph Curtis' "absolute worst nightmare."

That morning, a social media threat put Taconic and Pittsfield high schools into "hold-in-passing" procedures. It was lifted a couple of hours later when the Pittsfield Police Department confirmed that the post depicted an Orbeez gel blaster gun and there was no threat to the school community.

"The incident that happened today is a superintendent's and I'm sure everyone else in the room and everyone's absolute worst nightmare," he told the School Committee that night.

"There is no minimizing it. There is no saying

>> Read More

>> Read More

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Additional Stearns Elementary School staff members have been placed on leave amid allegations of using a bathroom to "de-escalate" students.

On Monday, Principal Sara Luciani notified the school community "as our investigation continues and new information has been obtained, additional paraprofessionals assigned to Room 1 have been placed on administrative leave, effective Friday, March 7, 2025."

The Department of Children and Families and Pittsfield Public Schools are investigating, and the district is reviewing its protocols for de-escalation strategies.

Last week, Superintendent Joseph Curtis reported that on Feb. 26, Luciani received an

>> Read More

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Local officials urge the passage of "long overdue" legislation to protect minors from sexual abuse by adults who are teachers, mentors, or other positions of trust.

"When I began my career as a prosecutor, I specialized in the prosecution of child sexual abuse cases. In the mid-1980s, this was a taboo topic. Something rarely discussed, much less prosecuted. During those early years, I worked to normalize the prosecution of child abuse cases and to protect our most vulnerable population, our children," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said during a virtual press conference on Monday.

"In 1993, I founded the Berkshire County

>> Read More

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Several Stearns Elementary School staff were put on leave at the end of February for allegations of using a bathroom to "de-escalate" students.

A report was filed with the state Department of Children and Families and separate investigations are being conducted by DCF and the Pittsfield Public Schools.

On Thursday, Superintendent Joseph Curtis sent a communication to PPS families reporting that on Feb. 26, Stearns Principal Sara Luciani received an allegation that staff members in Room 7 and Room 1 were using a classroom bathroom in Room 7 as a place for students to de-escalate.

"Principal Luciani investigated immediately and then informed

>> Read More

>> Read More

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — School officials feel an urgent need to update the policy manual for social media.  
Last week, the Policy subcommittee sent a revised document to the School Committee that bars teachers and staff from friending students and giving out their private phone numbers. It is based on the Massachusetts Association of School Committees' model.

"I think we need to build it into the policy manual while everything else is a work in progress," Chair William Cameron said. "I think this needs to go in there now."

According to the policy, the superintendent and principals will annually remind staff members and orient new ones of the

>> Read More

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee last week affirmed its commitment to protecting LGBTQ-plus students.

On Wednesday, the committee adopted a Safe Schools Resolution that declares the Pittsfield Public Schools a safe space for all students regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation and a safe space to explore gender identity and/or sexual orientation.

It was brought forward by William Garrity, who was inspired by the resolution made by Worcester School Committee member Susan Mailman. Garrity, who graduated from Taconic High School in 2022, said the school had a "good-sized" population of LGBTQ-plus students.

He asserted that students exist in the schools

>> Read More

• Other Local Sites

• Photos

• Most Read

• Most Comments

• All News

• Blogroll