CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Hoosac Valley School Committee Monday reflected on the recent loss of a high school graduate and looked at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

 

"It's been a tough couple of weeks in the school," Superintendent Aaron Dean told the committee at its monthly meeting. "Our team has done a great job supporting the kids, supporting the family.

 

"It's a really tough thing to go through. It's not the way we wanted to start the school year in any way. Condolences go out to all who were impacted."

 

The committee heard that memorials on the middle-high school campus are being considered to recognize 2026 graduate Jayquan Williams. The district is planning to let his family and students be part of the process in deciding how to honor Williams.

 

A major part of the committee's first meeting of the school year was hearing updates from the district's three building principals about the start of classes.

 

The newest principal, Dwayne Chamble, told the panel that he is "laser focused" on building relationships at the middle school.

 

Chamble said he has made a point of being present during recess, lunch, pickup and dropoff and transition times in the hall.