image description — The board will be seeking proposals for reuse of the closed elementary school.

Cheshire to Seek Proposals for Former School Building

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
01:44PM / Thursday, March 15, 2018Print Story | Email Story

CHESHIRE, Mass. — The town will release a request for proposals for the use of Cheshire Elementary School.

Selectwoman Carol Francesconi relayed a recommendation from the Reuse Committee to the full board Tuesday to release an RFP after receiving some interest after a request for expressed interest.

"We would like to have an RFP go out for the one or two that showed interest," she said.

Since the school's closure last year, the town formed a committee that has been formulating possible uses for the building.

Francesconi said the town received two RFEIs: One from Head Start of Pittsfield and one from Dancecapade of Adams.

Currently, the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District's central office is the only lease in the building and Francesconi said both Head Start and Dancecapade could join them in the building with room to spare.

Selectman Edmund St. John IV added it would be nice to be able to consolidate all three organizations to one portion of the building.

The town is not looking to sell the building but only to lease.

The Selectmen's meeting ran shorter than usual and the board members discussed what items they would like to see on the town meeting warrant.

One item Francesconi said she hopes the town can take some action on at town meeting is an article that would increase the size of the board from three to five members.

This article was brought forth via citizens' petition some years ago and has been through several iterations of town meeting. One as recent as last town meeting.

Because the town improperly executed the action, it must vote again this summer. Once approved it will be sent to the state for approval. If approved, it goes to a ballot vote.

Town Administrator Mark Webber said the increase could be in action by 2019.

Francesconi said she was still hesitant to increase the board when it is so hard to fill other town positions.

"By the same token we can't even get people to run for existing offices and we are going to increase the select board," she said. "We can't fill the School Committee, the Cemetery Department and multiple other offices."

Tags: cheshire school, school reuse,

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New Hoosac Valley Middle School Principal Says Strong Relationships Are Key to Success

By Sabrina Damms05:19PM / Monday, August 24, 2026

CHESHIRE, Mass. — In his new role as Hoosac Valley Middle School principal, Dwayne Chamble is working to shatter statistics through a relationship-driven approach inspired by the educators who supported him growing up.

"It's about forming relationships because I really believe that relationships are at the heart of everything we do," he said.

"So, if we want to have increased test scores, we want to have academic excellence and high expectations, we have to have a concerted, explicit relationship-building push with our students, with our families, and we only do that by listening."

The former Principal Lisa Lesser stepped down from the position at the end of June after receiving an opportunity to work as a curriculum director, which she could not refuse, Superintendent Aaron Dean said.

From there, the district underwent a swift month-and-a-half-long search, receiving 13 candidates, but was drawn to Chamble's people- and service-oriented approach.

"Anybody that I spoke to that has worked with him has said he's got boundless energy. He loves the work. He's dedicated to it, and we'll do anything to make sure that kids get what they need," Dean said.

Chamble said a large part of his role is being a listener, emphasizing the importance of hearing from staff, families and the community about what is working and what needs to change.

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