Letter: Blackmer Right Choice for 1st Berkshire

To the Editor:

The 1st Berkshire district needs a strong advocate in Boston. This person needs to be willing to make the trips to the State House and still have the energy to visit each community that is represented. This person needs experience in state and local government and also needs to employ the tenacity to stand up and fight for our district.

It is tough to find all of these qualities in one person but Lisa Blackmer has all of them.

Lisa has proven her willingness to go to Boston for us, because she has done it for the last six years. I know she has the energy to be in every community because she tirelessly attends events and forums across the district.

I have had the pleasure of serving with Lisa on the North Adams City Council and I know how hard she works and the pride she takes in being a public servant. Lisa has earned respect here and in Boston because she is smart, dedicated, and honest. I have the utmost confidence that Lisa will work tirelessly for our district and ensure that every community is actively represented.

A vote for Lisa on Oct. 10 is a vote for our communities.

David Bond
North Adams, Mass.

North Adams Schools Talk Final Budget Numbers for Public Hearing

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:15AM / Wednesday, May 08, 2024

The elementary schools will be phasing in a new math curriculum over the next two years. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee received the presentation given last week to the Finance & Facilities committee for the fiscal 2025 spending plan.

 

The subcommittee is recommending the budget of $20,357,096, up $302,744 or 1.51 percent over this year. This was expected to be funded by $16,418,826 in state Chapter 70 education funds, local funding of $3,938,270 (up $100,000 over this year) and a drawdown of school funds of $575,237. This will also include the closure of Greylock School at the end of this year and the reduction of 26 full-time positions. 

 

A hybrid public hearing on the budget will be held on Thursday, May 23, at 5:30 at Brayton School, with a vote by the School Committee to immediately follow. 

 

The extra $100,000 from the city will likely not be part of this funding package, warned Mayor Jennifer Macksey, chair of the School Committee. 

 

"Going through all my process on the city side, so to say, with the rest of my departments, it's going to be really hard for me to squeak out the additional $100,000," said the mayor, alluding to a budget gap of $600,000 to $800,000 for fiscal 2025 she's trying to close. 

 

"I just want to be fully transparent with everyone sitting here, and as your School Committee chair, I don't know if the city budget is going to be able to squeak out that $100,000. That number will most likely change."

 

Director of School Finance and Operations Nancy Rauscher said the $100,000 had been a placeholder with administration understanding that it could change.