IS183 Accepting Nominations for Arts Educator Award

Print Story | Email Story

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — IS183 Art School of the Berkshires is now accepting nominations for its inaugural Berkshire Arts Educator Award. Designed to bring visibility and recognition to the community's most inspiring K-through-12 art educators, the Berkshire Arts Educator Award honors individuals who consistently go above and beyond to inspire imagination and creativity in their students.

IS183 is currently accepting nominations from the community-at-large for outstanding Berkshire educators who teach the arts in a formal or non-formal education setting. The 2013 Berkshire Arts Educator will be selected by a five member panel of educational professionals and community leaders, including Pittsfield Mayor Daniel Bianchi.
 
One educator will be selected to receive a professional development award of $1183 to be used towards an arts enrichment activity of their choice. The Berkshire Arts Educator Award will be presented at IS183's annual Art Educators Reception, which will take place on Thursday, April 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. The reception is free and open to the public.
 
Nominations are open to the public and limited to one per person. All Berkshire County K-12 arts educators, including those who teach outside of a formal academic setting, are eligible to be nominated. Nomination forms are available at www.is183.org or by contacting amy@is183.org and must be submitted to IS183 by March 25. The winner will be notified by April 15.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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.
 
View Full Story

More Sheffield Stories