MCLA to Host 2024 Leadership Conference

Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announces the campus will host the 2024 Leadership Conference from July 5 to 7 – the culminating experience for the Leadership Academy 2023 cohort.
 
Dr. Darcy Fernandes, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) senior associate commissioner will open the conference with a keynote presentation on Friday, July 5 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Murdock Hall, Room 218. Additional keynote presentations include Vice Provost of Equity and Belonging at MCLA André Lynch on July 6, and Anti-bias Education Consultant Phil Fogelman on July 7.
 
"Alumni Talks" will be offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Conference sessions will run on July 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., and are presented by members of the Leadership Academy 2023 cohort on topics ranging from leading inclusive, anti-racist schools to implementing instructional programs that enhance success for all. Sessions are organized according to the four standards established by MA DESE's Professional Standards for Administrator Leadership (PSAL); instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture.
 
The conference will be held in person at Bowman Hall on MCLA's campus. "Remote access is available for all sessions, and we welcome all educators to join us in person or virtually," said MCLA Leadership Academy Director Marianne Young. 
 
Educators interested in attending the conference can register online or by contacting Marianne Young at marianne.young@mcla.edu.

Tags: MCLA,   

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

Build or Rent: Communities Seek Options to House Public Safety Departments

By John TownesSpecial to iBerkshires
This is the second of two articles looking at examples of how towns and cities are dealing with a common problem of old and inadequate facilities for their public safety operations, including police, fire and emergency medical services. The circumstances and strategies to provide the buildings and infrastructure that are necessary to maintain modern public safety operations vary widely among towns and cities. Read part one here. 
 
For many years, the town of Lee has had to struggle with an outdated and crowded Police Department station located in its Town Hall, which was built in 1874. Its nearby fire station was originally constructed to house horse-drawn firefighting vehicles.
 
"The Police Department has been crammed into Town Hall and there is not enough room," said Lee Town Administrator Chris Brittain. "We had to fit the police staff on different floors wherever we can find space. In addition, the station was not designed for the Police Department's current needs. For example, our cells do not meet modern standards."
 
The Fire Department complex, including its main station and adjacent buildings and emergency medical services, have had similar problems. He noted that the town had to purchase customized fire trucks to fit through the doors.
 
To solve these and other issues, the town is currently constructing a new public safety complex to house its police, fire and emergency medical services operations and the Building Department on a site at 49 Railroad St. in the town center. It has also relocated its Department of Public Works operations and equipment from there to a more effective site on Pleasant Street in the southern section of Lee.
 
In the first step of the process, the town in 2022 conducted a feasibility study of possible solutions. The study was funded by $70,000 from cannabis impact revenue.
 
"The town did a complete analysis of its public safety needs, including such factors as staffing, equipment, and what was needed to meet call volumes," explained Brittain. "We also looked at potential locations, and the estimated cost of facilities."
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories

Community News
image description

New Build or Rent: Communities Seek Options to House Public Safety...

Community News
Community News
image description

Northern Berkshire United Way: 1950s Sees New Name, Same Mission

Community News
A & E
image description

Weekend Outlook: Dance for a Good Cause

A & E
Community News
image description

North Adams Updated on Schools, Council President Honored With...

Community News
Schools
image description

Greylock School Project Moves Into Construction; Geothermal...

Schools
Business
image description

Bread-Baking Appliance Designer Moving to Mass MoCA Campus

Business
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?