BCC Offers Variety of Courses at McCann Tech

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —Berkshire Community College is offering a number of courses that are being held at Charles H. McCann Technical High School in North Adams to make it easier for students in North County to get the education they need to succeed.

Spring classes begin on January 22. Some of the courses being offered at McCann include a free course called "Money Management for Life," which will assist students in better understanding how to become financially independent. The course is offered for free thanks to a grant from Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Ashton Darrett will teach this class at McCann on Monday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Also new this semester is CIS 102, "Introduction to Computer Literacy," on Thursday evenings, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and taught by Michael Shakeshaft.

Additional courses being offered, and back by popular demand at McCann, include "English Composition II," "Math Modules," "Introduction to Philosophy" and "Western Civilization to 1500."

For the full course listings and to apply and register online, click here.

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.