Greylock, Union Reach Preliminary Agreement for New Superintendent
 Rose Ellis
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The Union and Mount Greylock recently signed a shared-administrative agreement to become a unified group called Williamstown-Lanesborough Public Schools, in an effort to share costs. William D. Travis, who is the current superintendent at Mount Greylock, is set to retire on June 30. Ellis, currently the superintendent of the school union, consisting of Williamstown and Lanesborough's elementary schools, will become the superintendent of the three schools pending separate votes by the two committees.
The Union will vote on the contract agreement tonight during its meeting at Lanesborough Elementary School (LES). The Mount Greylock committee will vote on Tuesday, June 29.
According to Union committee member Adam Filson, the terms of Ellis' contract, including her salary and the length of the agreement, cannot be disclosed until both entities vote in favor of the contract.
David Archibald, chairman of the Mount Greylock committee, said Ellis is a suitable replacement for Travis.
"Rose brings experience and leadership skills that will continue and enhance the performance that Dr. Bill Travis has brought," Archibald said in a statement announcing the agreeement. "Rose is hard working and effective, and we're getting someone we know with a proven track record, which will work well for us."
According to a press release, Ellis has already begun working on staffing and postings for open positions in the new collaboration. She has met with Travis and other Mount Greylock staff to begin the transition to the high school.
"She'll be spending significantly more than 50 percent of her [work] time coming up to speed at Greylock," Archibald said when reached Thursday. "Once she comes up to speed with Greylock, she'll work out a schedule to service the three schools."
Ellis is eager to get started in her new role.
"It is an exciting time and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to create a coordinated PK-12 education system in the three schools of Williamstown, Lanesborough and MGRHS," she said in the statement. "We are starting with a talented faculty and staff, motivated students and supportive parents, many of whom I know well. I am confident that, together, we can build bridges among the three districts — moving forward into the future for the benefit of all our students."
