Mount Greylock School Committee Member Resigns

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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Update: February 1, 2012 at 5:45 p.m.

Abigail Reifsnyder said on Wednesday that she is resigning because of the time commitment and frustrations with School Committee decisions, such as scheduling meetings at times when she would be unable to attend.

"This was a really difficult decision for me," Reifsnyder said. "I feel really bad that I'm not going to finish out my term."


WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The resignation of a Mount Greylock Regional School Committee member this week will mean a fourth person will be appointed to complete a committee term begun in 2008.

Abigail Reifsnyder, a social worker, submitted her resignation this week. She was unavailable for comment on Tuesday. The Williamstown resident was elected unopposed in November 2010 to complete the final two years on the four-year term.


But the seat was originally held by Michael Rabideau, who was elected to the School Committee in 2008. Rabideau also resigned, in 2009, and Carolyn "Carrie" Greene was appointed to fill his term until the election in 2010. Instead of running to complete the term, Greene opted to run for one of the two full four-year terms that year and won.

Reifsnyder's resignation has led to the unusual situation of having a different School Committee member serving in each year of the four years of the term. That makes four, assuming that the person appointed to replace her makes it to November.

The town is now seeking applicants to be appointed to finish off the term that ends with the state and national election in November.

Interested applicants can return a citizen activity form, which is available below, to the town manager's office by Feb. 17. The appointment will be made in a joint meeting with the Boards of Selectmen from both Lanesborough and Williamstown as well as the remaining members of the School Committee. That meeting has not been set but will be chaired by Williamstown Town Moderator Mark Gold, who will vote only to break a tie.
Williamstown Citizen Activity Form
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Williams College Receives Anonymous $25M Gift to Support Projects

Staff Reports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College has received a $25 million gift commitment in support of three major initiatives currently underway on campus: constructing a new museum building, developing a comprehensive plan for athletics and wellbeing facilities, and endowing the All-Grant financial aid program. 
 
The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, say the gift reflects their desire to not only support Williams but also President Maud S. Mandel's strategic vision and plan for the college. 
 
"This remarkably generous commitment sustains our momentum for WCMA, will be a catalyst for financial aid, and is foundational for athletics and wellness. It will allow us to build upon areas of excellence that have long defined the college," Mandel said. "I could not be more appreciative of this extraordinary investment in Williams."
 
Of the donors' total gift, $10 million will help fund the first freestanding, purpose-built home for the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA), a primary teaching resource for the college across all disciplines and home to more than 15,000 works. 
 
Each year, roughly 30 academic departments teach with WCMA's collection in as many as 130 different courses. 
 
The new building, designed by the internationally recognized firm SO-IL and slated to open in 2027, will provide dedicated areas for teaching and learning, greater access to the collection and space for everything from formal programs to impromptu gatherings. The college plans to fund at least $100 million of the total project cost with gifts.
 
Another $10 million will support planning for and early investments in a comprehensive approach to renewing the college's athletics and wellbeing facilities. 
 
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