image description — Superintendent Jake McCandless, seen at Pittsfield High's graduation ceremonies this past spring, says he will stay in the district to see his third child graduate from the schools.

McCandless Staying on as Pittsfield Superintendent of Schools

Staff Reports12:51PM / Friday, October 25, 2019Print Story | Email Story

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."

Tags: Pittsfield Public Schools, superintendent,

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Pittsfield Human Service Funding Applications Open Soon

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:16AM / Thursday, November 05, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Applications for human services funding open next week, and membership space is available for anyone who wants to be involved in the process.

Last week, the Human Services Advisory Council laid out a timeline for the next year's grant awards. It provides funding recommendations to the mayor on how Pittsfield should allocate its human services funding, a mix of Community Development Block Grants and general fund money.

Request for proposal applications will be available at the Department of Community Development on Nov. 9; there will be three bidders conferences in November and December, and public comment on human service needs will begin in the new year.

Proposals are due to the Department of Community Development on Jan. 8, 2027. The public comment period closes at the end of January, and in the spring, the Human Services Advisory Council will recommend funding.

"We typically get about 20 to 30 applications each year," reported Nate Joyner, Pittsfield's community development and housing program manager.

He explained that the schedule of activities proposed for the upcoming cycle is similar to last year. Though, any references to American Rescue Plan Act funding were removed, as the nearly $41 million funding infusion during the COVID-19 pandemic has been exhausted.

The council will also need a new chair, as Rosalind Kopfstein has retired. In January, it will vote on nominations. Jenny Bell was welcomed as a new member at the Oct. 29 virtual meeting, and there are additional openings.

Last year's human service funding benefitted more than 4,000 community members. A total of $154,500 in CDBG funds was allocated to 13 different agencies, and $51,750 from the city general fund was granted to ten agencies.

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