DALTON, Mass. — Last Thursday's Central Berkshire School Committee meeting marked the end of term for three members, who have decided not to run for their seats again. 

 

The committee said goodbye to Vice Chair Bonny DiTomasso and members Art Alpert and Michael Case. 

 

These members have given their time and passion to improve the district, committee Chair Richard Peters said. 

 

"Their support has been invaluable to the families and students at Central Berkshire [by] making sure we have the right resources and their input around their knowledge about teaching and learning and social, social and emotional learning," Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said.  

 

Voters will have many decisions to make during the Nov. 5 elections, including a new president, five ballot questions, and a new state representative for the Third Berkshire District.

 

They will also decide how to fill eight School Committee seats, six of which will require write-in votes. 

 

Dalton has three open committee seats, while Becket, Hinsdale, and Washington each have one. Since no candidates are running for these positions, they will need to be filled through write-in votes. 

 

The Peru and Windsor seats also have vacancies. Peru's Planning Board member Kimberly Wetherell is running for the Peru School Committee seat, and School Committee member Elizabeth Lounsbury is running for re-election in Windsor. 

 

DiTomasso, Alpert, and Case were presented each with a floral arrangement.

 

DiTomasso has been on the committee for 8 1/2 years, Alpert for six years, and Case for almost 13 years. 

 

Case said he learned a lot about small-town politics, how to work with others, and gained an appreciation of community during his tenure.

 

A highlight of DiTomasso's time on the committee was getting Wahconah Regional High School built $2 million under budget during a pandemic. 

 

Alpert said school boards often get a bad reputation, but this school committee has worked together for the betterment of the school community, the children, and the staff.