Pittsfield Schools Plans Return to Hybrid After February Break

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Interim Superintendent of Schools Joseph Curtis delivered hope in his weekly update to Pittsfield Public School students, staff, and family on Friday of plans to return all students to in-person hybrid learning after February break.  

This plan will be presented to the School Committee on Wednesday and, if approved, it will be provided to all families on Friday along with options for parents/guardians who want their children to continue in remote learning.

Two weeks ago, the School Committee voted that career and vocational students Grades 10-12 would return to classrooms on Feb. 1; certain special education classes including Stearns first and second-grade inclusions begin Monday, Feb. 8, and all other students return no sooner than the week of Feb. 22 "or as soon as realistically possible.

That week, the state Department of Public Health's weekly update on COVID-19 data for the previous 14-day period in the city showeed a positivity rate as of 3.32 percent and there were 29.4 cases of the virus per 100,000 people.  

"On an additional positive note, our daily local health data continues to improve," Curtis said, announcing that the city has now reported a percent positivity rate of 2.3 percent as of Feb. 2. "This demonstrates a continued gradual decline in our overall percent positivity."

On Feb.1, Mayor Linda Tyer in her State of The City address said current public health data is beginning to look promising.  At the time, the 14-day positivity rate rested at 3.5 percent, taking Pittsfield out of the high-risk red zone and into the yellow zone.  

Last week, the United Educators of Pittsfield spoke out about feeling blindsided by the School Committee's vote to return to in-person hybrid learning. The union is accusing the committee of privately debating and then approving the change, filing an Open Meeting Law complaint with the School Committee and the city clerk in relation to the Jan. 27 vote.

"This deliberate effort to deny parents the information they need to make informed decisions about the health and welfare of their children is a clear violation of the state's Open Meeting Law," said Melissa Campbell, the president of the UEP.

The School Committee now has 14 business days from the complaint's date to respond. The UEP is asking for revocation of the votes, a return to remote learning, and compensation to teachers affected.   

On Monday, Curtis said he had no comment on the situation as the School Committee and the UEP are addressing it formally.

Curtis on Friday also announced the district, in partnership with the Board of Health, the mayor's office, and County Ambulance, will be conducting a pilot testing event for Taconic High School staff and some career and vocational-technical education students.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.