The Berkshire County Headstart Receives Rescue Plan Funds

Print Story | Email Story
SPRINGFIELD, Mass – The Berkshire County Headstart Child Development Program received $379,291 through the American Rescue Plan.
 
In a press release Thursday, Congressman Richard E. Neal announced over $2.4 million for local Head Start programs. Of this, Berkshire County Head Start Child Development Program received $379,291.
 
"This investment will help our local Head Start programs continue preparing children in western and central Massachusetts for success, and help parents get back to work to grow our economy knowing their kids are safe and cared for,” said Congressman Neal.
 
Other programs also received funds.
  • Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start, Inc.: $1,206,073
  • Community Action Pioneer Valley, Inc.: $524,067
  • Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.: $314,680
The funding for Head Start comes in addition to $510,544,054 Congressman Neal helped secure to assist Massachusetts reopen child care facilities.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M Budget

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a $35 million budget for fiscal 2025 during its meeting on Thursday.
 
Much of the proposed spending plan is similar to what was predicted in the initial and tentative budget presentations, however, the district did work with the Finance subcommittee to further offset the assessments to the towns, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. 
 
"What you're going see in this budget is a lower average assessment to the towns than what you saw in the other in the tentative budget that was approved," she said. 
 
The fiscal 2025 budget is $35,428,892, a 5.56 percent or $1,867,649, over this year's $33,561,243.
 
"This is using our operating funds, revolving revenue or grant revenue. So what made up the budget for the tentative budget is pretty much the same," Director of Finance and Operations Gregory Boino said.
 
"We're just moving around funds … so, we're using more of the FY25 rural aid funds instead of operating funds next year."
 
Increases the district has in the FY25 operating budget are from active employee health insurance, retiree health insurance, special education out-of-district tuition, temporary bond principal and interest payment, pupil transportation, Berkshire County Retirement contributions, and the federal payroll tax. 
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories