New Tuition Agreement to Bring More Savoy Students to Hoosac Valley

CHESHIRE, Mass. — A new tuition agreement will bring all Savoy seventh- and eighth-grade students to the Hoosac Valley Regional School District 

"There probably will be a couple of logistics with the seventh-graders to work out. But beyond that, it's a pure win-win situation," said Superintendent Aaron Dean. 

The School Committee approved the new agreement on Monday, and Dean said the addition of seventh and eighth grade Savoy students should bring a handful of students per year. 

One reason Savoy made the decision, Dean said, was transportation costs to Gabriel Abbott Memorial School in Florida. Emma Miller Elementary School in Savoy is a preK-6 school. Both Florida and Savoy are members of the Northern Berkshire School Union.

"[The students] were going to Florida in the past and the transportation actually became really cost prohibitive," he said. "So they made the decision to enter into discussions with us about expanding the agreements." 

Dean said there should not be any additional transportation costs associated with the change, noting many of Savoy's seventh- and eighth-graders already come to Hoosac Valley. 

"Savoy handles the transportation. They already have a bus that comes here," he said. 

In other business, the committee re-elected Michael Mucci to continue as chair and assistant treasurer. The committee also voted Adam Emerson to be vice chair and Dean to be the committee secretary. 

"I look forward to working with this board for another year," Mucci said. 

Monday was the first School Committee meeting since town elections in Adams and Cheshire. Voters elected John F. Duval and Erin Milne as the district's Adams representatives and Michael Henault as the Cheshire representative. 

The committee decided to hold off on assigning subcommittee members. Mucci said he would like to give subcommittee assignments that play to each member's strengths. 

"I know, typically, we like to kind of refresh, regroup and put together a list of who's been on last subcommittees. And Aaron and I will take a strategic-first approach at recommending a little bit of shuffling," he said. 

The committee also discussed a potential new three-year contract for Dean. Mucci said he plans to meet with district counsel and hopes to have a finalized contract ready for committee approval at the next meeting. 

"I think Aaron has done an exemplary job in his three years here," Mucci said, noting the Audit and Evaluation subcommittee recommended a three-year contract for Dean. "And I think putting forth another three-year contract is a good faith effort on our part to retain and have continuity in the position."

Friday Afternoon Fire Destroys Cheshire Barn

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
04:40PM / Friday, April 03, 2026

 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — A fire on Friday afternoon destroyed a barn at 920 Sand Mill Road.

 

The building is a total loss but firefighters were able to prevent the flames from reaching another nearby barn and the house at Stoney Brook Farm. 

 

Fire Chief Thomas Francesconi said the fire was called in 12:39 p.m. by the homeowners "but it already had a foothold before they noticed it."

 

Responding firefighters found the L-shaped structure fully involved. Adams, Lanesborough, Savoy and Windsor fire companies responded and Williamstown Fire covered the station.

 

The tankers were used to transport water from a nearby brook until a pool could be set up near the scene and water pumped into it. 

 

Northern Berkshire EMS responded and one firefighter was treated at the scene and then taken to Berkshire Medical Center. 

 

Francesconi said there were no other injuries but the owners told him there were 18 chickens in the barn. The structure also had equipment and other materials in it, including a Jeep.