Science Policy Topic of Bard College Lecture

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GREAT BARRINGTON – The Bard Center for Education and Democracy at Bard College at Simon's Rock has invited the National Research Council's Michael J. Feuer to speak on "Science and Policy in the Beltway and Beyond," on March 20 at 5 p.m.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Blodgett Oak Room.

Feuer is executive director of the council's Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education of the National Academies, where he is responsible for a broad portfolio of studies and other activities aimed at improved economic, social, and education policymaking. He was the first director of the NRC's Center for Education and the founding director of the Board on Testing and Assessment. Before joining the NRC in 1993, Feuer was a senior analyst and project director at the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment.

He holds a doctorate in public policy from the University of Pennsylvania and an master's degree from the Wharton School, and studied public administration at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and political science at the Sorbonne. Feuer grew up in New York City, where he attended public school and graduated from Queens College, City University of New York, with a major in English literature and journalism. While at Queens, he was the campus stringer for The New York Times and editor of one of the two major student newspapers.

Upon earning his doctorate, Feuer remained at Penn, teaching graduate seminars in education and working at the Higher Education Finance Research Institute, where he specialized in studies of firm-sponsored training. He then joined the faculty of the business school at Drexel University, teaching courses in public policy and management and continuing his research on the economics of human capital. He was elected to the National Academy of Education in 2003 and as Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2006. His most recent book is "Moderating the Debate: Rationality and the Promise of American Education," which was published by Harvard Education Press in 2006.
 
The Center for Education and Democracy at Bard College provides a venue for conversations concerning education, democracy, and their relationship. The center's activities are based on the belief that democratic societies must offer citizens not only literacy in the humanities, arts, and sciences, but also knowledge of, and practice in, the civic arts of discussion, deliberation, and collaborative action.
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Lanesborough Passes FY 2027 Budget, Warrant Articles

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles. 
 
Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.
 
Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours. 
 
The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.
 
Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. 
 
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.
 
Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.
 
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