Mount Greylock High Principal Leaving

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Mount Greylock Regional High School's principal is leaving after barely a year in the post.

Superintendent Rose Ellis informed the school community on Tuesday morning that John "Jack" Kurty was on leave of absence for personal reasons and would resign in June.

Kurty was selected after a three-month search to head the high school beginning July 1, 2012. The Westfield High graduate had spent more than a decade at the American School in London, leaving as dean of academics.

He replaced Timothy Payne, who took the principal post at Mount Anthony Union Middle School in Bennington, Vt.

In a telephone interview Tuesday morning, Ellis indicated that while Kurty's departure may have surprised the school in general, the issues that led to his departure were not news to the administration.

"He has had pressing family concerns that go back to the middle of the year," Ellis said. "He has expressed serious interest in giving those the highest priority."

Ellis stated categorically that Kurty was not asked to resign by herself or the School Committee.

"It was voluntary on his part," she said.

Assistant Principal Christopher Barnes will take over as acting principal for the remainder of the academic year, Ellis said.

Barnes, who was a candidate for the principal position before the school hired Kurty, has been named to the top post at Vermont's Arlington Memorial Middle/High School starting next year, Ellis said.

She said it was "premature" to speculate on whether Mount Greylock might ask Barnes to consider staying on in Williamstown.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.