Morningside Principal Offered Pittsfield's Deputy Superintendent Job

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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The School Committee made its decision Wednesday night for the new deputy superintendent.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee appointed Morningside Community School Principal Joseph Curtis as the new deputy superintendent.
 
Curtis was among three interviewed as finalists for the position. The others were Sophia Redman-Jones, director of special services in Harvey, Ill., public schools, and Taconic High School Principal Jonathan Vosburgh.
 
The School Committee had high praise for all the candidates but Curtis' background stood out as stronger.
 
"In the end, the district needed a person fully licensed for the position, experienced as a teacher and as an administrator, can work with a variety of people, deeply knowledgeable about educational law, initiatives and regulations in the commonwealth," said Superintendent Jason McCandless, who recommended Curtis be the choice because of his knowledge of many aspects of education.
 
Curtis has been employed with the district for more than 20 years. He started as a third-grade teacher at Conte Community School in 1994. In 1998, he moved to Morningside. He moved up to be the district technology professional development coordinator in 2001, vice principal in 2006 and principal in 2007.
 
Curtis received high praise for his work at Morningside.
 
"He put a structure within it and gave the teachers to teach their craft as they see fit," said School Committee member Pamela Farron.
 
Curtis replaces N. Tracey Crowe, who left to take a job as superintendent in Webster.
 
Chairwoman Katherine Yon said this appointment is part of McCandless "putting together a team." The School Committee just recently signed McCandless to a six-year contract extension, taking him through 2020.
 
She added that she was glad two internal candidates made it to the final three.
 
"We had three really strong candidates emerge from the field," she said. "It is always important for us to know we are growing leaders."
 
McCandless said while Vosburgh and Redman may not have gotten the position, he hopes they'll both work in the district in the future. Vosburgh will continue his role as Taconic's principal.
 
"Only one candidate was offered the position. But I think we will hear more from the other two candidates in the future," McCandless said.
 
Curtis will be moving into the position, but not until the administrative work at Morningside is secured.
 
"The disruption to Morningside is likely to be immense," McCandless said. "We'll begin that process immediately." 

Tags: Morningside,   principal,   school administrator,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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