Pittsfield School Committee Candidates Debate
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — School Committee candidates shared their thoughts on education and the school district at a forum Monday.
The seven candidates vying for six seats on the School Committee answered questions Monday at a forum held at Berkshire Community College and sponsored by the Pittsfield Gazette and Pittsfield Community Television.
After some opening statements, the candidates were asked to pick a random number that prompted a question. After three candidates answered that question, the next candidate in line chose a new number.
At the end of the question session, candidates were given two minutes to answer questions they did not get or expand on answers they gave.
The first few candidates were asked to highlight programs they would like to improve upon in the school district and incumbent William Cameron said he would like to expand upon the Parent Child Home Program that helps prepare kids, ages 2 to 3 years of age, for school.
Incumbents Katherine Yon and Dennis Powell highlighted the arts. Powell specifically cited a program with Jacob's Pillow in Becket that teaches students math through dance. He said he would like to expand on these community partnerships.
The next round of questions turned to the increase in state school funding and candidate Alison McGee thought the money was spent in some "well-rounded" areas. She said the district needs to continue to make sure they are using it effectively.
Incumbent Dan Elias specifically said he hoped the increase in money could go toward competitive teacher salaries.
"For a long time, we have looked to the middle because we were in the bottom quarter of Berkshire County and we have made gains to get to the middle but we have regressed," he said. "We have to increase salaries to keep the good people who are working here."
Former School Committee member Tom Perrea agreed that the district needs to increase salaries.
Some candidates were asked if they supported the Berkshire County Education Task Force's long-term recommendation to create one large countywide district. Candidate Mark Brazeau said he thought the county should be actively working toward it sooner rather than later
"It is something that needs to be looked at as an entire district and I think what needs to happen is that all the schools in the county need to come together," he said. "We need to form a steering committee to look at all the values that will shape education in the entire county. We go from having a voice of 40,000 people in Pittsfield to a voice of 150,000 in Berkshire County. It will be a little louder."
Cameron, who is a member of the task force, said the larger district would be financially beneficial and create a more consistent educational standard throughout the county. He added that the process will take some time.
"There are serious political issues in regard to even two districts merging let alone all of them and this is a long-term goal," he said. "It would save money but it is the only way that all of the students in the county can receive a high-quality equitable education."
Yon agreed with Cameron.
School choice was the next topic and McGee said he thought the district really had to question students and families to figure out why families are sending their children to schools other than Pittsfield.
"We need to make sure that two-way communication is being used to makes decisions and not just to collect data," she said. "So I think it is very important to hear what those parents are saying ... we need to have an ongoing conversation to see what can be done in our schools."
Powell and Cameron added that many think the district is not safe and the district needs to do a better job showing parents that this is not true.
Cameron added that the addition of more new exciting programming will help attract more students.
Many of the candidates also supported alternative education and Yon said she was happy the district decided to turn funds toward alternative programming.
"I believe they need a separate place for themselves and a separate facility," she said. "They need to really feel that they are a part of this place and that they are not being sent away but being sent to a place where they can be themselves and learn according to their own styles."
Powell said he supported alternative education in the district but that it must be maintained at the same quality as the rest of the district's programming.
"If you remember the alternative program years ago took place in our old jail which was a nightmare," he said. "I keep my eye on the alternative school and I think it is important but I don't want it to become a school of its own where we marginalize youth."
McGee agreed and said it is important to hire specialists who can prepare these students for society.
Elias and Brazeau agreed that diversity at the teaching level was improving but still nowhere close to where it needs to be. Brazeau noted it is both a regional and state issue.
Although Powell agreed he said he thought it would be beneficial to have others hire employees instead of a single superintendent.
Perrea said the issue is compounded by the fact that the city's population is shrinking and it is becoming harder to attract qualified candidates to the city.
"How do you entice someone to come into an area when we have a dwindling population and a dwindling industrial base," he asked. "Pittsfield is a great place to bring up children ... and I think we should entice potential teachers with more income."
The election is Nov. 5 and there are six open seats.
Tags: debate, election 2019, Pittsfield School Committee,
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