Hoosac Valley Regional School District to Undergo Tiered Focused Monitoring Review

Print Story | Email Story
CHESHIRE, Mass. — During the week of Jan. 6, 2025, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring
Review of the Hoosac Valley Regional School District. 
 
This review is part of DESE's ongoing efforts to monitor and ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations concerning English Learner Education (ELE) programs.
 
The Tiered Focused Monitoring Review is a comprehensive process that examines various aspects of a district's ELE program. The review will focus on areas such as:
 
  • Student assessments for English learners
  • Identification and placement of English learners
  • Parent and community involvement
  • Curriculum and instructional practices
  • Student support services
  • Faculty, staff, and administration licensure requirements
  • Program planning, evaluation, and recordkeeping
 
The review is conducted every six years for each district and charter school to assess their adherence to relevant laws and ensure continuous improvement in serving English learners.
 
In addition to the onsite review, parent outreach is a critical component of the process. The Hoosac Valley Regional School District will distribute a survey to parents of students whose records will be
examined. The survey seeks feedback on key aspects of their child's English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and included in the final monitoring report.
 
Parents or community members who wish to participate further can request a telephone interview with the Review Chairperson, Samantha Kodak, by contacting her at Samantha.k.kodak@mass.gov.
 
DESE will also accommodate individuals who need assistance, such as translation services, to ensure full participation.
 
Following the onsite visit, DESE will issue a report within approximately 60 business days. This report will outline areas where the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements, as well as areas requiring improvement. 
 
The final report will be made publicly available at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.
 
For more information or to participate in the review, contact Samantha Kodak at Samantha.k.kodak@mass.gov.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Adams Man in Wednesday's Stabbing Incident Arraigned on Assault Charges

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An Adams man who called 911 on Tuesday night saying he had been stabbed was arraigned Friday on charges related to that incident and on outstanding warrants. 
 
Philip White, 25, is accused of stabbing himself and calling 911 posing as a "friend." According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, an officer responding to the scene at 31 Commercial St. fired his weapon when the White was "observed approaching the officer in a threatening manner with an object in his hand." He missed, and no one was further injured. 
 
White was initially held at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield for a mental health evaluation and was reported in stable condition from his wounds, which were described as not life-threatening.
 
He was charged in Northern Berkshire District Court with assault with a dangerous weapon, to wit: cutting instrument, in connection with the Jan. 27 incident. He is being held without right to bail probation violation from charges of assault and battery, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct from an incident on Sept. 12, 2025. 
 
White has three outstanding warrants which include three counts of trespass and one count of assault and battery on a family/household member. The court has additionally ordered an evaluation on his competence to stand trial and at the defense request, criminal responsibility.
 
A dangerousness hearing request is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4. 
 
District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said he will announce the findings of the full investigation into this incident, including the officer's discharge of his firearm, upon the conclusion of the investigation. The DA's Office said there would not be any additional comments at this time.
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories