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Bart Raser from Carr Hardware and Michael Richards Superintendent of Lee Public Schools and Staff.

Carr Hardware Donates PPE to Berkshire Schools

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Bart Raser from Carr Hardware and Jason McCandless Superintendent of Pittsfield Public Schools.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Carr Hardware's "Round-up for the Schools" campaign donated over $8,500 in personal protective equipment to three local school districts.
 
"We are a community business that believes in giving back, it's just part of our core culture," President of Carr Hardware Bart Raser said. "Our kids and schools need our help more than ever and school safety is paramount. We are thrilled to be in a position to do our part and appreciative of the generosity of our customers who supported our teachers and our students."
 
Tuesday, Carr Hardware representatives made the rounds and delivered PPE to three local school districts: North Adams Public Schools, Lee Public Schools and Pittsfield Public Schools.
 
Deliveries included masks, sanitizer and commercial disinfectant sprayers 
 
"We are so thankful to our community partners at Carr Hardware for supporting our schools." North Adams Superintendent Barbara Malkas said.
 
School district's throughout the Commonwealth must adhere to strict guidelines in regard to COVID-19 to allow in-person education. This includes the use of masks, constant cleaning, and available handwashing stations and hand sanitizer.
 
"The Round-Up Campaign that Carr Hardware engaged in this year was amazing," Lee Superintendent Michael Richard said. "The support dedicated to our community, and others in the area, is remarkable. The efforts of Carr Hardware is what distinguishes their stores from others; they truly care about the communities that they serve. Our students, staff, and families will all benefit from this extraordinary donation. Thank you."
 
The campaign started at the end of August and Carr customers were given the option to round-up their purchases to the nearest dollar and Carr would match those dollars 100 percent. Carr Hardware also had change collection jars stationed at all locations for customers to donate
 
"The Pittsfield Public Schools are so grateful to our neighbors at Carr Hardware for supporting our schools in yet another way through the Round-Up Program,"  Pittsfield Superintendent Jason McCandless said. "Carr Hardware has been there for the Pittsfield Public Schools and its students in so many ways over the decades, and we thank the Raser family and the whole Carr Hardware family for once again being there for children of Pittsfield."
 
Carr Hardware is now working on plans to hold another campaign in November.
 

Tags: Carr,   COVID-19,   


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Pittsfield Schools Officials See FY27 Budget for 13 Schools

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Right after the School Committee voted to close Morningside Community School, members saw how it will affect the fiscal year 2027 budget

The $87,200,061 budget for FY27 remains, but funds that would have gone to Morningside are following students to four other schools. 

"As we look at the high-level totals, you notice that the total budget amount is the same. We only have so many dollars to work with. Even though that doesn't change, the composition of spending changes," Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Bonnie Howland explained. 

Mayor Peter Marchetti, chair of the School Committee, said this year's budget process was "extremely confusing," because of coming changes within the Pittsfield Public Schools, including the middle school restructuring. 

The proposed FY27 budget for the School Department includes $68,886,061 in state Chapter 70 funding and $18 million from the city.  A 13-school plan, excluding Morningside, saves in instruction, school services, and operations and maintenance, allowing those funds to be reinvested across the district. 

Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee released a budget that brings an additional $858,660 to PPS. This includes a rate of $160 per pupil minimum school aid, and Fair Share Amendment earmarks secured by state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and state Sen. Paul Mark. 

Morningside's pupils will be reassigned to Allendale, Capeless, Egremont, and Williams elementary schools.  For fiscal year 2027, the district had allocated about $5.2 million for Morningside.

Officials identified school's lack of classroom walls as the most significant obstacle, creating a difficult and noisy learning environment that is reflected in its accountability score.

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