North Adams School Administrator to Lead Sutton School District

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Sutton School District offered the position of superintendent on Monday night to Kimberly Roberts-Morandi, assistant superintendent in the North Adams Public Schools. 
 
Roberts-Morandi was one of four finalists to lead the 1,200-student K-12 district in the south central part of the state. She had her interview with the School Committee on Thursday. 
 
"I am excited to be entering into negotiations for the Sutton superintendency," Roberts-Morandi said on Tuesday. "This is a community that is strong in support of their schools, which have a history of academic and civic success. My years in educational leadership, and especially those under the leadership of Dr. Barbara Malkas and within the community of North Adams, have provided me with experiences and the confidence to take this next step in my service to others."
 
She has been with the North Adams schools as director of curriculum, instruction and assessment since 2016, when then new Superintendent Barbara Malkas brought her on board as part of her new team. She was elevated to assistant superintendent several years ago. 
 
Roberts-Morandi was a principal at the former Adams Memorial Middle School and, after its closing, became a data specialist with the state's Berkshire District and School Assistance Center. She has been an adjunct instructor with Massachusetts College of Liberal Art's Leadership Academy and a team leader with SchoolWorks, which provides consulting for underperforming schools. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from MCLA and her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of New England.
 
The Millbury-Sutton Chronicle reported that Sutton School Committee Chairman Bruce Edwards had visited North Adams and found that Roberts-Morandi was a problem-solver with extensive experience in writing grants and overseeing grants. 
 
The committee members voted their top candidates and then voted for Roberts-Morandi as their choice. 
 
Her start date is July 1, pending contract negotiations. Sutton began its search for a new superintendent in January; the current superintendent of 12 years, Theodore Friend, announced in November 2021 his decision to retire on Aug. 1. 

Tags: NAPS,   school administrator,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Police Charge 7 After Drug Investigation

Staff Reports

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police charged seven people after executing simultaneous search warrants on Eagle Street and Arnold Place.

On Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, members of the North Adams Police Department Detective Unit and Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force executed search warrants at 212 Eagle Street Apartment 3 and 59 Arnold Place.

According to police, the search warrants were the result of a month-long investigation into a group of people from Springfield utilizing both residences as part of their heroin and cocaine distribution operation.

Police reported that during the search warrant execution at 212 Eagle Street Apartment 3, Giovanni Ramirez was taken into custody. Joanne Bentley and Chad Luczynski were also located in the apartment and will be charged as part of this investigation.

During the search warrant execution at 59 Arnold Place, Sandra Bunt, Raven Vanderburg, Jaiden Langford-Andrews and Angel Ortiz were all taken into custody.

Bunt's bail was revoked on a separate open case, and she is held without bail. Vanderburg is being held without bail for a probation violation on a separate case.

Langford-Andrews, Ortiz and Ramirez were all held without bail pending dangerousness hearings scheduled for later this week and early next week.

As a result of the investigation, the following evidence was seized:

  • Approximately 110 grams of cocaine
  • Approximately 2,323 bags of heroin (46 grams)
  • Approximately $6,817 U.S. Currency
  • Multiple functioning digital scales with residue

The following people were arrested and charged with the following:

Jaiden Langford-Andrews of Springfield:

  • Arrest Warrant
  • Trafficking Heroin 36-100 grams
  • Possessing with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
  • Conspiracy

Angel Ortiz, of Springfield:

  • Trafficking Heroin 36-100 grams
  • Possessing with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
  • Conspiracy
  • Giovanni Ramirez, of Springfield, Massachusetts:
  • Trafficking Cocaine 36-100 grams
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
  • Conspiracy

Sandra Bunt, of North Adams:

  • Trafficking Heroin 36-100 grams
  • Possessing with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
  • Conspiracy

Raven Vanderburg, of North Adams:

  • Trafficking Heroin 36-100 grams
  • Possessing with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
  • Conspiracy

The following people were charged but not taken into custody:

Joanne Bentley of North Adams:

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories