PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The local radio is reporting that Superintendent Jason "Jake" McCandless will be staying in Pittsfield. 

 

Mayor Linda Tyer, while appearing on Live 95.9's "Slater and Marjo in the Morning" on Friday, said the superintendent isn't leaving the area. 

 

McCandless last week had confirmed that he was a finalist for the superintendent's position of the Silver Lake Regional School District in Kingston, just north of Plymouth. He told iBerkshires that "It simply feels in my gut like it is a good time to make a change." 

 

He had also indicated to The Berkshire Eagle that he had applied for other openings as well. Several postings were listed on the Massachusetts Association of School Committees at that time, including Silver Lake. 

 

McCandless said if not selected he and his family will re-evaluate their options. He said remaining in Pittsfield is not out of the question.

 

"If this opportunity does not work out, our family will evaluate our options and see," he said last week. "Staying here and continuing to serve is an excellent scenario, so we will see."

 

He'd been offered a six-year contract with the Pittsfield Public Schools two years into his first contract. 

 

The superintendent told Live 95.9 that he had interviewed for three posts and spent a great deal of time reflecting and speaking with people, especially his family.

 

"In the end, in spite of visiting three wonderful places, we decided that the Berkshires is home, Pittsfield is home and this is where I need and want to be right now," he told the radio station. "I feel very fortunate to serve here and and look forward to seeing our third child graduate from the Pittsfield Public Schools, and to keep working in a remarkable community."