McCann Begins School Year With New Staff, Equipment

The McCann School Committee is updated on Thursday on projects and hires.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School's administration said the new year is off to a solid start.

Principal Justin Kratz told the School Committee on Thursday night that the freshman have already settled in.

"The start of the school year has gone very smoothly," he said."We welcomed the new freshmen in, and they found their way around the building. They seem to be a really nice class, and they seem to be really friendly."

Kratz said he also spoke to the seniors about their new role in the school.

"We talked about what their role is as seniors and how they can help to positively set the tone in the building," he said.

Kratz said 136 students are participating in fall sports, or about 27 percent of the student body.

"We have a ton of activities here, and we have seen a lot of our students get involved in a lot of different ways and that is good to see," he said. "It is very busy after school here, and it is exciting to see lots of activity."

The School Committee also welcomed two new educators: Susan LeClair and Sarah Brooks.

"We are glad to have them both, and they are off to a great start," Kratz said. "There has been a bit of a transition, but they are doing a great job and we are excited to have them."

LeClair is a former McCann student.

"From all accounts that I have heard she was a softball standout while she was here, and she is coming back to join us and we are excited to have her teach," Kratz said.

Principal Justin Kratz reports on the first days of school.

"There are less renovations because of the idea that there would be an addition for the nursing program that was not done because it would cost too much," Brosnan said. "We were putting any resources we had toward the construction of a new building for the practical nursing program, which was way over any possible budget."

He said the renovations in the business technology program were completed as well as the teachers' area in Metal Fabrication.

He said the automotive tool room was also cleaned up and made Occupational Safety & Health Administration compliant. OSHA had cited McCann for the tool room.

"We did all those things, and they were all done in compliance," Brosnan said. "We made sure to cover every base that was recommended in the report."

The committee also approved $37,500 used to purchase new equipment for the school and shop.

Brosnan said this includes a new automotive welder. The old welder was cited by OSHA. He said the new one will change the way welding is taught in the school.

"We are going to use team teaching with seniors and automotive students, which is terrific on safe use once we have a new welder in place," he said. "We aren't just looking at new equipment, but a whole new brand of how we are teaching and working cooperatively."

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.