Balking the traditional post-Labor Day opening, schools in Clarksburg, Savoy and the town of Florida are getting an early start this year.
Gabriel Abbott Memorial School in Florida will start classes today, while Savoy and Clarksburg elementary schools will begin on Thursday.
Gabriel Abbott Principal Gregory D. Betti said students should expect some key changes at the elementary school this year.
"We've got all kinds of new stuff. There are lots of changes going on at our school," he said.
In addition to a new fifth-grade teacher - Xavier Tondeur of Amherst is replacing Heidi Dugal, who is the new principal at Savoy Elementary School - Gabriel Abbott will welcome a new Spanish teacher, a new preschool teacher, and a new cook and assistant chef.
Betti said many of the new teachers are recent college graduates with fresh ideas.
"Of course, we'll miss the teachers that left, but we hope to bring in new talents and new activities for students," Betti said. "They're young and they have a lot of energy so I hope they have new and exciting ideas."
Introducing new teachers to a small school of only 104 students poses a set of interesting challenges.
"It's such a personal school. Our new teachers will have to get to know all the students," said Betti.
Serving students from Florida and some from Monroe, Gabriel Abbott wants to continue following a formula school officials say works.
"We're looking forward to a really good school year. We're excited about what we're doing and we hope to keep building on that. We want our new teachers to continue many programs that older teachers left behind and expand on new ones that they bring to the table," said Betti.
In contrast to Gabriel Abbott, Clarksburg School doesn't have huge changes this year, but Principal Karen Gallese said she plans to keep doing what works.
"We're a small school with small classes and a strong sense of community," Gallese said. "Most of our teachers have been here for awhile; it's a great place to work."
Clarksburg Elementary has 17 teachers and support staff, including a new art teacher and a new Spanish teacher said Gallese.
"We're looking forward to seeing the kids again on Thursday and we're excited to see new perspectives," said Gallese.
Jen Thomas can be reached at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, Ext. 23.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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