DESE Office of School Monitoring to Visit MGRSD

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — During the week of May 13, 2024, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Mount Greylock Regional School District. 
 
The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
 
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child's special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district's Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.
 
Parents and other individuals may call Michelle Hennessey-Kowalchek, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (413) 314-6709 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
 
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
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Williamstown Fincom Sets Water, Sewer Hikes

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Finance Committee on Wednesday decided to send a 5 percent increase in the town's water and sewer rates and discussed possible moves that could trim the tax levy increase generated by the fiscal year 2027 spending plan the committee sends to town meeting later this spring.
 
That water rate increase and another 5 percent hike in FY28, in conjunction with use of reserves from the water department, will enable the town to address two capital projects — the replacement of a well and the replacement of customers' water meters — without needing to borrow for either project.
 
The specter of issuing a small bond for a $1.5-million meter replacement project drew concern from members of the Fin Comm at its March 11 meeting.
 
At the same time, the committee is sensitive to big increases in the fees paid by all residents on town water and sewer in a year when town meeting voters already face the prospect of a major rise in the assessment from the Mount Greylock Regional School District among other rising costs of municipal services.
 
But, as noted on Wednesday night, the town's water and sewer rates — not counting its assessment from the Hoosac Water Quality District — have not seen an increase since FY23.
 
Matheus Carrato Alexandre of utility rate consultant Waterworth made his second appearance before the Fin Comm via teleconference and explained how the 5 percent increases in the water rate could cover the department's capital needs and keep the operation in good fiscal shape.
 
"If you're tracking what's happening with the black line, which represents your cash position, all we're showing here is a stable position until '27," Alexandre said, showing the Fin Comm a series of graphs outlining the recent past and next few years of the town's water operations. "In fiscal '27, you're using those restricted funds to cover a large project, and nothing is changing in your cash. It's pretty much staying the same.
 
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