South Berkshire Holding Conversation on Possible Merger

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SHEFFIELD, Mass. —  A community-led conversation about a potential merger between Southern Berkshire and Berkshire Hills regional school districts is slated for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Mount Everett Regional School.
 
The meeting will be held in the Thomas A. Consolati Performing Arts Center and will include Superintendent Dr. Beth Regulbuto and school district leadership. 
 
The conversation will be regarding any questions, concerns, or ideas the public may have about the potential district merger.
 
"The objective of this conversation is for the School Committee to have an opportunity to gain perspective from the school community, to gather feedback and ideas, and to share what information people still need in order to make this decision for their family," said Regulbuto. "We hope that we can hear from as many stakeholder voices as possible as we navigate the future of education for our students and families in Southern Berkshire."
 
The meeting will be designed to work as a group discussion. School Committee Chair Bonnie Silvers said is encouraging a broad ranges of residents to attend. 
 
"I hope that eighth-graders, octogenarians, alumni, current and former teachers and staff, community leaders, business owners, individuals with no connection to the district beyond paying taxes, elected officials, fifth-generation local families, new parents, and even second-home owners see this as an opportunity to both weigh in on the current issue before us and to help us envision an even better education for all of our children," she said. 
 
To encourage parents with young children to attend the event in person, members of the National Honor Society will be onsite providing child care. A Zoom link will also be provided on the district website on Tuesday, for those who will not be able to join in person. 

To RSVP, contact SBRSD Administrative Assistant Lynette Gagnon at Lgagnon@sbrsd.


Tags: merger,   SBRSD,   

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Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond. 
 
According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond. 
 
The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million. 
 
"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.
 
The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.
 
The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.
 
The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here
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