CHESHIRE, Mass. — New Superintendent of Schools Aaron Dean reported that the new school year is off to a good start.
Dean told the School Committee on Monday that despite the change in leadership this summer, the school year has commenced with few hiccups.
"There are a lot of positives to start the year," Dean said. "Given the situation, we had over the summer the leadership team and the principals really took control and made sure we were ready."
He listed some of the new programming that has been implemented this year and said there is most definitely a upbeat environment in all of the buildings.
"Each school had some really good things to highlight," Dean said. "I have been in every building and there has been a very positive atmosphere."
There have been some technology changes but he told the committee that the technology director shared with Central Berkshire Regional School District can no longer be utilized because of restructuring within the Central Berkshire district.
He said they will have to look at some kind of new hire especially with all the new systems in place in the district. Who is hired and at what capacity will have to be hashed out by the technology subcommittee.
"This is one position we have to sure up pretty quickly," Dean said.
Business Manager Erika Snyder said it would be ideal to have a full-time technology person, however, she did not think the district had the capacity to hire someone at the rate of a director.
Dean said, as a new superintendent, he has been assigned a coach in the Superintendents Induction Program and will soon provide the School Committee with his entry plan.
"I do have a pretty solid idea of what I am going to be working on," he said. "It has been great getting to the schools and seeing what is going well and what we have to work on."
Last month, the School Committee unanimously voted to hire Dean to replace former superintendent John Vosburgh, who left after one year. The former Taconic High principal is now assistant principal of teaching and learning at Nessacus Regional Middle School in the Central Berkshire district.
Also, Dean said he plans to name a new Hoosac Valley Elementary School principal at the end of the week after a final round of interviews.
"I am excited," he said. "The committee gave me three great candidates."
Current Principal Michele Colvin plans to leave her post this month.
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Hoosac Valley High School to Stage 'Suessical'
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Hoosac Valley High School will showcase their rendition of "Suessical," a musical based on the tales of Dr. Seuss by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
The performances are scheduled for Friday, March 15 at 7 pm, and Saturday, March 16 at 2 pm and 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online via the provided link. Prices are $8 for students and $10 for adults.
Directed by Rebecca Koczela and Amanda Watroba, the production features around 50 students participating as actors, pit band musicians, and backstage and tech crews. Notably, this year's cast includes several middle school students who have joined the high school production, marking their first experience performing on stage.
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