Letter: North Adams Students and Teachers Deserve Our Support

To the Editor:

The start of the school year is full of excitement and anticipation for both students and teachers. North Adams is no exception. The recent tours of the Brayton and Greylock elementary schools brought home the culture that teachers create to bring out the best in their students.

Signs were posted everywhere to reinforce the qualities and culture needed to make students successful. At the same time, one cannot ignore the physical plant that creates an uphill climb for students and teachers to realize their aspirations even when they bring their best game to the table. The recent concerns about mold at Brayton School serve to reinforce these challenges.

We must face the fact that the $45 million for the extensive renovations required to transform Brayton into a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment are, as Mayor Macksey stated, beyond the means of the city, which would be required to bear the entirety of this financial burden. The bottom line is that we cannot afford to make Brayton the school that our children can thrive in. The citizens of North Adams have a better option. With a contribution of $45.6 million from the state and an average $270 per year temporary increase in local taxes we can provide our students and teachers with an environment in which they can learn, grow, and become all that we might wish for them.

I urge every voter in North Adams to come to the polls on Oct. 8 and vote for the bond issue to construct and furnish a new Greylock Elementary School.

Virginia Riehl
North Adams, Mass.

McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 

 

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 

 

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

 

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 

 

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

 

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

 

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.