image description — The School Committee last month first reviewed proposed 2013 budget.

Adams-Cheshire School Committee Approves $18M Budget

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
04:00AM / Tuesday, March 27, 2012Print Story | Email Story

UPDATED On March 26, 2012 at 10:30 p.m.

The School Committee approved the proposed $18 million budget Monday night.

ADAMS, Mass. — An $18 million budget was unanimously approved by the School Committee on Monday night.

The Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee held a 30-minute public hearing on the budget prior to its regular meeting. After a brief overview, only one resident had any questions.

Selectwoman Paula Melville questioned the committee on the numbers and asked about the differences between the town's assessment and what the state recommends for minimum spending. The state says the town should contribute at least $3,074,740 toward the school's foundation budget, according to Melville, but the total assessment (without transportation and capital costs) is $3,712,840.

"People in Adams should know the dollar amount above what we're required to pay," Melville said.

Superintendent Alfred Skrocki replied that a line item budget will be available to the Selectmen.

The budget presentation is below.

Orignal Story posted on Friday, March 09, 2012 at 4 a.m.

Superintendent Alfred Skrocki said the total budget is increasing by about 2.1 percent.

ADAMS, Mass. — A 2.1 percent increase is being eyed for next year's school budget.

Superintendent Alfred Skrocki began presenting his proposed $18 million budget to the Adams-Cheshire Regional School committee on Wednesday.

The total budget is up by $363,867 and the spending plan shifts capital investment dollars toward instructional.

The budget will raise Cheshire's assessment by 4.7 percent and Adams' by .6 percent. Some of that increase is debt for renovations at Hoosac Valley High School that is excluded from Proposition 2 1/2. About 2.5 percent will count against Cheshire's tax levy and the amount against Adams' levy will decrease.

The biggest change in the budget is with capital improvements. The Adams-Cheshire Regional School District is paid up on its construction project at CT Plunkett Elementary School but the state still has a final reimbursement payment of about $400,000, which will be added to the budget this year.

Additionally, with a new school, the maintenance line is also decreasing. Those funds will be put toward instructional items, which includes keeping two teachers and seven paraprofessionals no longer being funded by grant dollars.

The school will be adding three new positions — a middle school vice principal, middle school guidance counselor and a middle school special education teacher.

"Quite frankly, we've had a gap in those areas for some years now," Skrocki said. "There is going to be a lot on our plate in the next few years."

The total staffing will not change because three teaching positions will be reduced, he said.

Other budget highlights include a 9.3 percent increase in spending for special education, 8.5 percent increase in instructional support and a 2.1 percent increase in regular instruction. The schools are losing about $500,000 in federal grant money that is being picked up either by being added to budget or in reductions. School officials are also expecting an increase in transportation costs as they negotiate a new busing contract.

An outline of the budget is available below.
Adams Cheshire Regional School District Budget Proposal 2012
Tags: Adams-Cheshire, school budget, school project,

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Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

Hopefully our elected officials in Cheshire will look out for its already over-taxed, taxpayers. The school districts budget has been out of control and incredibly top-heavy for years.
from: Al	on: 03-09-2012 12:08PM I Agree (39) - I Disagree (8)

how about no increase ! we cannot pay any more in this fricken town enough said !
from: jdd	on: 03-09-2012 02:52PM I Agree (36) - I Disagree (7)
Editor: Language, please.
I Agree (3) - I Disagree (13)

Here's some truth: "The biggest change in the budget is with capital improvements. The Adams-Cheshire Regional School District is paid up on its construction project at CT Plunkett Elementary School but the state still has a final reimbursement payment of about $400,000, which will be added to the budget this year." That money is Adams' Money and can not be giiven to the District without Town Meeting approval.no matter how they spin it...That $400,000 is an increase to the budget..
from: Disingenuous as ever!	on: 03-09-2012 03:53PM I Agree (35) - I Disagree (8)

tie for a reality check we cannot continue to spend this kind of money, time to do without with less, no pay increases for anyone ! not just schools, time to stand up aginst the unions and say NO, if you dont like it there is another in line who needs the work. i have not had a pay increase in over five years and i can still mannage my bills. time for adams to do the same
from: dj	on: 03-09-2012 04:23PM I Agree (38) - I Disagree (13)

The taxpaers have had enough. Town workers and teachers have been given raises every year. People in the private sector haven't had raises and are paying more for insurance. It is time for the taxpayers to stand up and stop the msdness. NO MORE
from: enough	on: 03-10-2012 06:44PM I Agree (25) - I Disagree (8)

The problem is, everyone in the town and the district gets raises annual and I'm not just talking cost of living. The town is on some stupid automatic increase system that just keeps adding to the tax rolls. And let's not even get started on the unions. As far as I know, work to rule is still in place so we overpay for teachers who won't even put in a little extra time to help our kids without griping about more money or benefits. Time to suck it up guys...like the rest of us. More with less sounds EXCELLENT!
from: Fed Up	on: 03-12-2012 06:43AM I Agree (23) - I Disagree (7)

Teachers are NOT work to rule, the budget was settled last year and it was of little benefit to any teacher, all of whom saw significant increases to health insurance and most took NO pay increase, with the rise in ins rates most took a cut in take home pay. This is not the fault of teachers or unions. Grants, state, and federal funding for education are all down. This makes it a local problem to fix, that is the unfortunate truth.
from: Untrue	on: 03-12-2012 10:23AM I Agree (13) - I Disagree (18)

Work to Rule should NEVER, EVER be on the table as a negotiating tactic. Students suffer, period. They are not "leverage" or "tools" to use. Anyone who is salaried and working in the private sector without union protection, and that the majority of the labor force these days, work extra hours with no additional benefit just to stay employed. I agree, the state has dropped the ball but that does not make it a local issue by default. There is only so much money locally and we are all tapped out. The well is dry. It's time for some serious sacrifices or, better yet, it's time to consolidate ALL of the local school districts into one, and shudder all buildings with the exception of those needed to handle the student population. Many of these now aged buildings were built to accomodate student bodies much larger than they are today. I'm also in favor of year-round schooling. Teachers making a healthy wage for year round service don't need two months off in the summer. Enough with the bottomless budgets!
from: One and Done	on: 03-12-2012 12:25PM I Agree (19) - I Disagree (5)

Someone do the math. Public workers have been given raises and cheep insurance every year. People that pay the public workers have NOT gotten raises and are paying more for insurance . So simple math will tell anyone that this will not work for long. Why is it so hard for some to understand ???? Stop the giving away money that people do not have . JUST SAY NO.
from: math	on: 03-12-2012 04:21PM I Agree (15) - I Disagree (9)

Subcontract the maintenance as that is something that should not be reduced just because the school is being renovated. Last time I checked even a new school still requires the same amount of cleaning, lawn care, etc... We spent millions to have the renovations look like the old school in the end - come on people. How can you do with less maintenance than what has been provided over the previous years???? This is what has gotten us to where we are today...
from: Subcontract	on: 03-13-2012 03:40PM I Agree (13) - I Disagree (3)

While you are bashing the teachers why don't you find out how much a paraprofessional gets paid for working with your children who doesn't want to study, do their homework and are just plain lazy. Paraprofessionals do not get paid for holidays, vacations and summers. Some paraprofessionals spend more time working in the schools than the teachers do.
from: Money	on: 03-14-2012 06:43PM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (5)

will there be a middle school nurse ?
from: R.N.	on: 03-15-2012 06:03PM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (1)

Why does everything on this site turn to bashing the teachers and administrators in the school disctrict? It is strange to some of you that people who live in your towns work at the schools? Is it strange to some that some people who work in the district share last names? ACRSD has been sending students off to great colleges where they often excel. For you negative people, go to college, get certified as a teacher, change YOUR last name, and apply to the district. I am sure you'll do fine.
from: Sick of it	on: 03-16-2012 07:12AM I Agree (14) - I Disagree (8)

A lot of bad, incorrect, infactual information being spewed here. iBerkshires has a journalistic responsibility not to turn the media into a rumor mill that slanders people and misinforms the public. Either police what is being blogged on here or make people sign their names. This site is a tabloid, and is making North County look like a joke. Let's see if you post this comment.
from: Disgusted	on: 03-27-2012 08:41AM I Agree (12) - I Disagree (4)
Editor: Your comment would be more informative if you actually corrected the "bad, incorrect, infactual information."
I Agree (11) - I Disagree (6)

How many of the above over the top comments came from one individual who then figured out that blocking cookies allows you to "agree" with yourself multiple times? Gee, I wonder.
from: Wondering	on: 03-27-2012 08:56AM I Agree (11) - I Disagree (2)

Isn't it the Editor's job to correct "bad, infactual information", or just fact-check before it's posted in a public forum that they are responsible for? Unless you prefer having people slandered anonymously on your site.
from: For Editor	on: 03-27-2012 09:17AM I Agree (5) - I Disagree (4)
Editor: 1) Who is being slandered? 2) We try to correct information whenever possible and we expect readers to help us in that regard. So, you still haven't told us what's incorrect.
I Agree (8) - I Disagree (3)

I've got to agree with Disgusted. All the reputable online new sources are making people at least have a "discus" account or login with their facebook, not this total anonymity that promotes 85% negative comments. Several very nice stories have been written on Adams in the past weeks and because people had nothing "nasty" to write about, they wrote hardly anything at all. Come on iBerkshires, raise the bar.
from: Disgusted2	on: 03-27-2012 09:18AM I Agree (6) - I Disagree (5)
Editor: You know, we'd take you more seriously if you hadn't just posted under three different names, Ms. Disgusted and Mr. For the Editor. Gotcha!
I Agree (14) - I Disagree (4)

when does the school committee meet again?
from: watchful resident	on: 03-27-2012 02:34PM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I do not go on IBerkshires very often but I am shocked at the negative comments which I just read here. Its unfortunate that the people who post comments here are so sadly misinformed. It is very unfortunate. Not one of them has been to a meeting when the budget was discussed. It is also unfortunate that these comments are posted without the person posting their names. Furthermore, they are allowed to submit their ridiculous comments without any knowledge of the facts presented at those meetings. It is really very very sad.
from: Homer	on: 03-27-2012 07:40PM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (1)

To Disingenuious as ever...get your facts straight. Either you do not have a clue what you are talking about or you just wish to spread misinformation about the facts presented at the budget presentations. All $400,000 is being given back to the taxpayers of Adams in FY2013. What budget meetings did you attend...oh yes, there were some on Mars! lol
from: D	on: 03-27-2012 07:52PM I Agree (5) - I Disagree (2)

The problem I have with the district is over right-sizing. With most businesses and other public entities altering management and administrative structures to do more with less and cutting back on workers to get the most from their dimes, school districts take their annual see their budgets rise year after year and present to communities with assumed impunity. All this with a steadily shrinking population of students. Something needs to be done and it needs to be done in Boston. This process cannot be sustained.
from: Al	on: 03-28-2012 06:24AM I Agree (10) - I Disagree (0)

Berkshire County Reflects on a Rainy Memorial Day

Staff WritersiBerkshires
03:28PM / Monday, May 25, 2026

Pittsfield holds its services at Pittsfield Cemetery on Monday. See more photos here.

ADAMS, Mass. — Memorial Day was initially to remember the lives lost in the Civil War, eventually coming to honor all those servicemen and women who sacrificed for their country over more than 250 years.

Sgt. First Class Brian Bergeron, keynote speaker at Adams' observances in the Visitors Center, invoked the county's 21st century losses on Monday: Army Sgt. 1st Class Daniel H. Petithory of Cheshire; Army Sgt. Glenn R. Allison of Pittsfield; Army Chief Warrant Officer Stephen M. Wells of North Egremont; Army Spc. Michael R. DeMarsico II of North Adams; Army Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling of Dalton, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher of Pittsfield.

"We carry the memory of the Berkshire County residents who gave their lives in Vietnam. Young men like Specialist Kevin Hallam and Lance Corporal David Bory Fitzfield, and so many others from Dalton, Adams, Great Berrington, Lee, and towns across our hills, their names are etched on our local memorials, on our memorial skating rink, and on our hearts," he said.

Bergeron is an 18-year veteran of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, and was deployed multiple times for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He is currently assigned as the regional team leader of the Western Massachusetts Recruiting and Retention Battalion, and serves as the Westover Recruit Sustainment Program drill sergeant.

"Those warriors gave everything for the country they loved, for the Constitution they swore to uphold, and for the people of the United States, who bask in the freedom provided them by these brave soldiers. Think of the young soldiers who left a small town much like ours, never to return," he said.

"So let us leave here today with more than words. Let us commit to live lives worthy of their sacrifice, to cherish the freedoms they defend, to teach our children a true cost of living, and to ensure that their stories are told, their names are spoken, their legacy endurance."

Adams had joined Dalton, North Adams and Williamstown in canceling its parade because of the cold, rainy weather. Instead, dozens of residents and veterans gathered at the Visitors Center to hear Hoosac Valley High students Sophie Wilson and Genevieve Lagess read "In Flanders Fields" and the Gettysburg Address, respectively. The Hoosac Valley band played "The Star-Spangled Banner" and Fred Lora, School Committee chair and retired Army lieutenant colonel, was master of ceremonies.

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