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The Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee voted to adopt the new agreement that must now go before the two towns' town meetings.

Adams-Cheshire Committee Approves Amended Agreement

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Adams-Cheshire Regional School District unanimously approved a new regional agreement and a new name. 
 
The School Committee unanimously voted Monday to adopt the new agreement that not only lays out changes in the two towns' relationship but would also change the district's name to the Hoosac Valley Regional School District.
 
"Well congratulations and we will continue going down the line and get this approved," Stephen Hemman, the assistant director of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools, said.
 
The Regional Agreement Amendment Committee, or RAAC, formed late last year to update the antiquated agreement between the two towns. A subcommittee was formed with members from both Adams and Cheshire and MARS was hired to facilitate the amendment process.
 
Three votes were taken to approve the agreement. The first was to approve the document, the second was to request special legislation that would allow the School Committee to maintain its election schedule, and the third was to send articles to both towns for town meeting.
 
Hemman said the district's legal counsel has reviewed the agreement as well as the counsels of Adams and Cheshire.
 
He added that the state Department of Education also signed off on it.
 
"We are in good shape with that," he said. 
 
Much of the alterations were simply language changes that aligned the agreement with state and federal standards but there were more substantial modifications in adding a stipulation to certain votes such as closing a school or hiring a superintendent. Instead of needing a straight majority, these votes would need an affirmative vote from both an Adams and Cheshire committee member.
 
This change was initiated after the closure of the Cheshire Elementary School. The School Committee vote was along town lines that created a rift between the two towns and prompted the RAAC's creation.
 
The decision to adopt the name of the joint high school, Hoosac Valley, is seen as a way to help mend old wounds and create a more unified school culture. C.T. Plunkett School in Adams, which survived the school closure vote, was renamed Hoosac Valley Elementary to begin that process. 
 
The amendment also solidifies historical practices within the district and School Committee as well as outlines how a community would join or leave the district.
 
The amendment also includes language that would prompt reviews of the agreement every 10 years.
 
The amended agreement is not yet on the books and both Adams and Cheshire town meetings need to accept it.
 
Hemman urged the district to meet with the selectmen and finance committees in both communities to review the changes.
 
He added that it would also be a benefit to hold public meetings so residents are familiar with what they are voting on.
 
"You want to make sure when you go to town meeting people have seen it and they are not looking at it for the first time," he said.

Tags: ACRSD,   regional agreement,   

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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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