image description — The Elementary School Committee previewed the budget presentation that officials will be giving to the public on Thursday night.

Williamstown Elementary Proposes Modest Increase

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
12:13PM / Thursday, March 15, 2012Print Story | Email Story

Since the Williamstown and Lanesborough began sharing administration, more money has been shifted toward instruction. The administrative spending has decreased by about a third, according to Superintendent of Schools Rose Ellis.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The proposed Elementary School budget calls for an increase of about $58,000, mostly used to cover contracted wage increases.

"Salaries, this is where we see out biggest increase. That gas gone up approximately $47,000 and that's just the regular step increases," said David Donoghue of The Management Solution, the company hired to manage the school's finances, on Wednesday. "It's a pretty level-funded budget."

The town's contribution will be about 2 percent higher this year to cover the increasing budget. The appropriated funds are expected to be $5,317,985 — compared to $5,093,451 last year - and non-appropriated funds will pay $767,678 of the budget — compared to $784,255. The town is contributing $87,000 more and state funds were level funded but additional revenues have declined.

The budget calls for a total spending increase of about $207,000 — mostly accounted for with the increased appropriation from the town and school choice funds. However, the school choice revenue is decreasing.

"We're using school choice to close the budget gap," Superintendent of Schools Rose Ellis said. "This year we have a budget gap of $134,149."

The gap was caused by lower revenue — about a $94,284 decrease — and increases in utilities at about $39,000, along with a $30,000 or so increase in salaries and benefits. The benefits line could have been worse if wasn't for the premium holiday the purchasing group, Berkshire Health Group, negotiated that is expected to save about $60,000.

The school added an additional kindergarten class in 2012 and that enrollment is expected to be remain stable. The school was also hit with the reduction of federal grants of about $30,000.

"We're about 420 students now and we had dropped to about 405," Ellis said.

School officials will present the full budget, which is available below, at a public hearing at the Elementary School on Thursday night.
WES Preliminary Budget Presentation FY13
Tags: school budget,

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St. Stan's Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Williamstown Commons

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
12:50PM / Sunday, December 21, 2025

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Students from St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Adams brought the holiday spirit to Williamstown Commons on Thursday, delivering handmade Christmas cards and leading residents in a community caroling session.

"It honestly means the world to us because it means the world to them," said nursing home Administrator Alex Fox on Thursday morning. "This made their days. This could have even made their weeks. It could have made their Christmas, seeing the children and interacting with the community."

Teacher Kate Mendonca said this is the first year her class has visited the facility, noting that the initiative was driven entirely by the students.

"This came from the kids. They said they wanted to create something and give back," Mendonca said. "We want our students involved in the community instead of just reading from a religion book."

Preparation for the event began in early December, with students crafting bells to accompany their singing. The handmade cards were completed last week.

"It's important for them to know that it's not just about them during Christmas," Mendonca said. "It's about everyone, for sure. I hope that they know they really helped a lot of people today and hopefully it brought joy to the residents here."

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