Superintendent Jason McCandless said the School Department is seeking a new location for the alternative program.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The school district's alternative high school program, a source of some recent controversy and criticism, will relocate this year from the Second Street former jail facility that currently houses it.
"Moving into the next academic year, the JRC will no longer be at the same location," Superintendent Jason McCandless told the School Committee on Wednesday.
The superintendent said the decision had come from the sheriff's department, which has informed the district that it needs the former jail building for other purposes. But McCandless said it's a development that the department doesn't oppose.
"In fact, we're leaping at the chance to move those programs and the young people they serve out of that space," said McCandless.
The Juvenile Resource Center, which educates students who for disciplinary or related reasons cannot be served by the city's two high schools, has recently come under fire from the NAACP and others, in large part because of its location.
McCandless acknowledged on Wednesday that the site of the JRC sends a problematic symbolic message, though he defended the programs that go on there as vital to many students.
"I think it absolutely sends the wrong message," the superintendent told the committee. "As often happens with public programs, the program exists where affordable or free space exists,"
The superintendent noted that in most other school districts in Berkshire County and throughout the commonwealth, most of the students the center serves would simply be expelled and unable to attend any public high school. Many districts also permanently exclude youth with a felony conviction from public schooling, but because of its alternate option, Pittsfield does not.
"Pittsfield is committed to serving these students and keeping them in school, even if that school is not actually physically a school," McCandless stated, referring to components like the JRC's drop-out program as "literally, a life saver."
Because of the nature of the programs, the superintendent said, it does require some elements of security that are afforded by the collaboration with the sheriff's department.
"Sometimes they need to be in a place with a metal detector," McCandless acknowledges. "A place where there's somebody beyond a teacher or a tutor, who is capable of enforcing some order."
A new home for the school has not yet been located, however, and the School Department is actively seeking rentable space that is either already up to code for educational usage or willing to upgrade to the requirements.
"Right now, in all honesty. we're in a bit of a panic as to where do we go," said McCandless. "We're not exactly sure where we're going to go, but we have been working on it and brainstorming with some really positive results so far."
Anyone who may have suitable space available may contact Deputy Superintendent Kristen Behnke at 413-499-9502.
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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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.
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.
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The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
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A parking study of North Street will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The design maintains parallel parking while expanding pedestrian zones and adding protected bike lanes. click for more