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The trustees are considering advocating for a part-time worker to maintain library staff.

Adams Names Interim Library Director to Permanent Post

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — Holli Jayko has been named as the new library director for the Adams Free Library.

Jayko, who has been the children's librarian for a number of years, has been filling in as interim director since the beginning of November, when Deborah Bruneau retired after more than 23 years of service.

Library Trustee James Loughman said at last week's trustees meeting that the library director committee had made the decision after a series of interviews.

Jayko's appointment, however, was not announced last week but on Monday night by Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco. Loughman said last week that Mazzucco would release the name.

Jayko, still operating as interim director last Thursday, showed the trustees the proposed fiscal 2017 budget that is 16.4 percent lower than this year's budget.

Some $50,195 has been knocked out of the library budget, bringing down to $254,805 from this year's $305,000.

The operating budget is down 10 percent, but the biggest cuts will come from the personnel budget, which may be lowered by 19 percent.  

This was done by eliminating one full-time position and from the early retirement of the previous director.

Loughman suggested expressing some concern at the upcoming town budget meeting and ask that when the town is in a better financial position that the position be restored.

He added with lower staffing, the library may have to close a day and suggested a part-time employee to maintain staffing.

Trustee David Strzepek said the trustees should demand the position.

"I think rather than cut the head off and look for an arm next year we should just go for an arm," he said. "I think we should put our foot down ... enough is enough already."

Loughman told his fellow trustees to advocate however they want, but said he will only give "muted opposition."

"I don’t expect to do a rallying cry and telling people to die in the ditches because it is not going to work," he said. "In my opinion, it will only tick them off."

The Selectmen and the Finance Committee will see the proposed library budget on Thursday, March 24, at 6 at the Visitors Center. The administration will be reviewing sections of the town budget each evening this week except Friday.


Tags: adams library,   appointments,   fiscal 2017,   

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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
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The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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