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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No Contested Town Races Shaping Up in Williamstown

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — With two weeks left to gather signatures on nomination papers, there are no contested elections shaping up for the May 12 town election.
 
And there is one post for which no one has expressed an interest in serving.
 
Two current members of the Select Board have pulled nomination papers to run for seats on the body, the town clerk reported on Tuesday morning.
 
Stephanie Boyd, who is concluding her first three-year term on the five-person body, has taken out nomination papers.
 
Shana Dixon, who was elected last May to fill the final year of an unexpired term, is running for a full three-year term.
 
The board currently has four members after it chose not to appoint a replacement for Jeffrey Johnson last year. The final year of his unexpired term will be determined by voters this spring. So far, the only resident to pull papers for that post is Nate Budington, who serves on the Historical Commission and is that body's representative on the Community Preservation Committee.
 
None of the three potential candidates for the Select Board have returned papers with the required 30 signatures to get a spot on the May ballot.
 
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