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John Duval is seeking a fourth term on the Board of Selectmen. He says he wants to see through projects like the rail trail and the Memorial Building.

Duval Seeks Re-election in Adams to Finish Projects

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — John Duval wants to finish what he started.
 
"There are still a lot of projects that I would like to see to completion while keeping the financial situation in town under control," the three-term selectman said. "There is still a lot to be done."
 
Duval has been on the board for nine years. Before that, he spent 17 years on the then Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee. He also has volunteered with local youth sports organizations and is an employee at General Dynamic.
 
He is one of three candidates vying for two three-year seats in the Board of Selectmen in the Monday, May 3, election; the other two are a former board member Donald Sommer and newcomer Howard Rosenberg.
 
Duval said he wants to see the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail extension projected completed as well as the revamping of Route 8. He said these are projects he has been working on for some time now.
 
Also high on his list is the redevelopment of the Memorial Building. Duval hopes that the long-closed former middle school in the downtown area can become an asset to the community and local sports leagues.
 
"The school is a main one for me," Duval said. "I want to be able to use the gym and have town meeting here. It has been a lot of years, I have always fought for it, and it is something that I want to see to completion."
 
Duval has been involved with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and the Metropolitan Planning Organization and not only has a "seat at the table," but has a historical knowledge of many ongoing projects in town.
 
But he is worried about the shallow tax base and its relation to the tax rate and thinks the town needs to continue to attract new business and new families.
 
"We need the next generation to want to purchase homes here, live here, and raise their families here," Duval said. "I have two sons that bought houses in Adams ... that is all-new tax base that will help us in the overall scheme of things."
 
He also wants to combat the negativity in Adams and feels there are many things to be optimistic about. And he said the current composition of the Board of Selectmen has the energy and vision to move Adams forward.
 
"I have seen it all in regard to how government works," he said. "I believe our board is a positive, forward-thinking group, and I think this is a plus for the community."
 
Duval sees opportunities for Adams in the post-pandemic world and said his experience is important in a critical time for the town.
 
"I care. I am a lifelong resident of Adams, and I have given 26 years of my life to being a public official," he said. "I have been involved. My kids are here, my family is here, and I am not going anywhere."

Tags: election 2021,   town elections,   


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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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