WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Mount Greylock Regional School District is formalizing a partnership with an area leader in the field of cultural proficiency.

 

Pittsfield's Shirley Edgerton will join the staff at Mount Greylock Regional School for a half day per week through the end of the school year and for the foreseeable future, Superintendent Jason McCandless told the School Committee on last week.

 

"We began working with Shirley Edgerton several years ago to address some specific circumstances at Mount Greylock Regional School," McCandless said. "I've known her and respected her and consider her a mentor and someone who helped me take steps forward in understanding my own biases.

 

"Our administration, after a consultation, brought forward a plan that is very low cost and is dependent on Shirley thinking enough of us to alter her very busy, quote, 'retired' life to become part of our community."

 

McCandless made the announcement Tuesday after reviewing for the committee the district's three-year plan to continue addressing the goals of the 2019 Student Opportunity Act.

 

Edgerton, who was a cultural proficiency coach in the Pittsfield Public Schools for more than eight years, also serves as the founder and director of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment program.

 

Her more regular presence at Mount Greylock will continue work she already has undertaken with staff and students at the middle-high school, McCandless said.