Letter: Vote No on Greylock School Project

To the Editor:

It's crazy to me that people in the community think that a new school alone will enhance our students' education. What about the teachers, the way the curriculum is written, or the students' drive to learn? How does a set of new walls and updated amenities, perhaps some additional, innovative services guarantee that our students will benefit directly from this project? Other than the fact that they may enjoy attending a new school, how does that school enhance students' willingness to learn, or teachers' teaching capabilities?

As a former program manager of a local teen center I can tell you first hand that there is a growing number of high school students who are placing less priority on their academic affairs. They actively report not feeling engaged at school, or are unsure of their next steps as they are not receiving the proper guidance. This to me, is a problem that stems from the curriculum (I am aware the state has a large say in the curriculum), or the inability of teachers to genuinely connect with their students.

I've been scanning much of the information relayed on both sides and to me, as a young man who has grown up in this community, it is obvious that this project benefits the "upper echelon" of North Adams. Those who can afford to pay the $270 increase over x amount of years and defend doing so in saying the quality of students' education will be enhanced.

It also benefits those whose property values would increase as a result of being located in the Greylock School neighborhood (which makes sense to me, though my property value isn't about to increase as a result of this new school being built. We will have three other schools in the area and a declining student population, as students and families look elsewhere for a quality educational experience).

I don't want to pay for, nor do I want my children to have to pay for a proposed solution to a problem that will inevitably solve nothing. The quality of education is not determined by broken ceiling tiles, or mold growing (though it was determined the Brayton school building was safe for students to be in), it is determined by the educators showing up to work everyday and students' willingness to learn. Clarksburg Elementary School students consistently outperform North Adams Public School students in a building whose structure is arguably equally as stable as North Adams schools' building structures. The reason being, the quality of the education in this building is determined by the staff and teachers who take the time to establish a genuine connection with the student body.

I second the idea of refocusing our resources as a community on replacing our sewage system and water pipes. My parents and I have been dealing with brown, rusty water for years on end, only to be told "our house is at the end of the line so that's where the rust builds up." The rust wouldn't build up if the pipes were maintained. Point being, there are larger problems at hand besides building a new school when we have three standing.

Hunter Harpin
North Adams, Mass.

North Adams Jewelry Store Has New Owner

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:34PM / Thursday, December 18, 2025

Cheryl Coppens put out a call for someone to take over the jewelry business she began last spring  — jewelry maker Alexandra Padilla answered the call.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Artful Jeweler has a new owner who is looking to expand its offerings.

Cheryl Coppens opened the jewelry store in May, showcasing local artists, offering fine jewelry, and jewelry repair.

But a new grandson in Texas, and the difficulties in flying back and forth to see him, had her looking to move closer to him.

Last month, she posted on the business's Facebook that she wanted someone to take over the space and continue the venture. Alexandra Padilla reached out to her and Coppens said she met all her criteria she was looking for in anew owner.

"You have to really want to be in retail. You have to want to be in this community, priced where people can afford it. Alex is native to North Adams. Her husband, she's got two great kids, so it just felt like they would be able to continue the store," Coppens said. "So the criteria really was somebody that would work the store, not somebody that would just come in and hire employees. I didn't want that."

Padilla started taking over the store in the beginning of December. She has been selling jewelry for about three years, and has an online shop, and has worked in wholesale jewelry for about 15 years.

"I always wanted to have my own thing on it, and I wanted to bring something new, and I want to involve my family, my kids do something, and I want to be independent," she said.

Now Padilla showcases her jewelry in the Ashland Street store and plans to keep some of the local artists' items, like stained glass made by Coppens' mother.

Padilla customizes jewelry and tailors pieces to her customers.

She plans to work around her job at Berkshire County Head Start so she can open store for more hours. 

She also plans to redesign the store a little bit and bring in a couple more lines, like more rings and pearls. 

The store is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 2, Fridays 9 to 6, and Sundays 9 to 3. The store has also been open on Mondays 10  to 5 and Tuesdays 10  to 3 for the holidays. 

Padilla thanks Coppens for trusting her and hopes customers continue to support the Artful Jeweler.

"Thank you for trusting me. I'm going to try and do my best and work hard to make it happen," she said. "This is our first time selling retail, so we hope the community supports us in here."

Coppens will be helping Padilla until she is comfortable operating the store on her own. She said it will continue to be a space of community support.