NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The school district's been in talks with the state over resources that may be needed for the proposed family shelter in the Berkshire Towers. 

 

Superintendent Barbara Malkas told the School Committee on Tuesday that everything related to the shelter "is very much speculation." 

 

"We don't have any set numbers of what to expect, we've been given some estimates," she said. "From what I understand, most of the children who would be coming with families are very young, so they may not actually even be coming into school."

 

The conversation was prompted by discussion of the budget and whether it would give the school district the ability to step up the resources needed. 

 

The state Department of Housing and Community Development has been looking at state assets as a way to relieve the housing crisis short term, specifically in sheltering children and families. It already has an agreement with Salem State University and approached Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts last fall. 

 

The families would be sheltered in the college's Church Street dorm over the next 12 to 18 months and cycle in and out as more permanent housing is identified. The Berkshire Towers have been empty as the college recovers from a downturn in enrollment during the pandemic. President James Birge, at a trustees meeting last month, indicated that the number of students has been trending upward but that the dorms would not be needed at least over the next year. 

 

The 50-year-old towers contain  three- to five-bedroom suites with common rooms and bathrooms and can house about 312 people. DHCD is estimating 50 to 75 families will be housed in the towers.

 

"Until they arrive, we really don't have a sense of how to really service those needs," Malkas said, adding that using the city's districting plan may not be a "realistic approach." 

 

She said the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is already setting up a reimbursement program.

 

"We may have some upfront costs that we will then get reimbursed, and that could be partial, but again, at this time we hear estimates of what to expect but no clear signs on it," she said. 

 

It could be no one, it could be 10 new kindergartners, but no assessment can be done without more information, Malkas continued. She anticipated also having to discuss transportation and how the district will collect information. 

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey, chair of the School Committee, said the city has been very concerned about the shelter and that she information she has been getting has been inconsistent. 

 

"We are preparing, it will have an impact on how many we think will move in, but until we know the demographics and exactly who, what when and where ... we don't know," she said.