DALTON, Mass. — As town meeting season approaches, the Central Berkshire Regional School District aims to lower a barrier to residential participation caused by the lack of child care.

 

District Assistant Superintendent Michael Henault informed the School Committee last week that the district plans to offer child care at Kittredge, Beckett-Washington and Wahconah High schools on voting nights, provided by a combination of National Honor Society students and staff volunteers.

 

"We're organizing that right now … we're going to make it work, make it happen. A survey will go out to see the interest, but we're going to try to take away that barrier," he said. 

 

The committee recently unanimously voted to have Henault take over the superintendent position following the retirement of Leslie Blake-Davis on June 30. 

 

"I appreciate the thoroughness of the search and aside from setting your budget every year, selecting the superintendent is the biggest responsibility of this committee. Throughout the process, I saw how committed and dedicated all of you were to it, and I'm obviously thrilled by the outcome and ready to go," he said. 

 

"I really appreciate that at the end of the night, the unanimous show of support that really tells me that despite where anybody might stand throughout the process, that we'll be able to work together to really get things done, which is really important."

 

Henault has started the transition process into his new role with the district. 

 

The decision on who to hire for the assistant superintendent is at the discretion of Henault, who appoints someone for the position, said Richard Peters, School Committee chair. 

 

"The School Committee has to approve that appointment, but it's up to the superintendent to put forth candidates. He may do a search; he may not. It's really up to him," Peters said. 

 

The candidates will be discussed during a Personnel subcommittee meeting.