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 Voters Have Choices for Library Trustees Spots

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Just one office has a contested race in the town election on Tuesday.
 
But it is a crowded field.
 
Four candidates are on the ballot for two three-year seats on the Milne Public Library Board of Trustees.
 
The race — along with several uncontested races — will be decided when residents go to the polls from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at Williamstown Elementary School.
 
As is tradition in town, the town election will be followed one week later by the annual town meeting, also scheduled for the WES gymnasium, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.
 
Willinet, the town's community access television station, offered the four library trustee candidates a chance to present themselves to the community in videotaped presentations available on the station and at its website, willinet.org.
 
The office sought by Janet Curran, Martin Mitsoff, Kathleen Schultze and Michael Sussman is one of seven seats on the Milne's Board of Trustees. That board is responsible for appointing the library director and deciding written policies for the library at 1095 Main St., on the Field Park rotary.
 
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