PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools are gathering feedback on a potential closure of Morningside Community School before a recommendation is made. 

There were community meetings last week, and if the district holds a public hearing, it would likely need to be before the School Committee's next meeting to inform the recommendation. Officials recognize a "deep love" for the Burbank Street school, and say the decision would not be taken lightly. 

Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips shared the considerations for a closure with the School Committee on Wednesday: The feasibility of the facility to provide a conducive teaching and learning environment with an open campus design, the funding allocation needed to ensure Morningside students can have equitable learning opportunities, and declining enrollment across Pittsfield elementary schools.  

Staff and community meetings were held on Monday and Thursday. One of the interim superintendent's takeaways after meeting with faculty was their commitment to caring for students and the school. 

"So it was with heaviness that they, I would say most of the staff, felt that the facility really is not conducive to our students' success, but they also felt a heaviness because of the love and commitment to the school," she reported. 

"And so I didn't want to not share that, because there is a deep love for Morningside Community School, even though there have been many years where it has been struggling with performance."

Phillips said the open classroom concept is probably the biggest driver, and whether students can receive their greatest education there. This is what raised the question of whether funding could follow students into existing, under-utilized, nearby schools. 

Last Monday, the first of three community meetings were held to solicit feedback about the possible closure of Morningside for the 2026-2027 school year and redistribution of its students to other city schools. Meetings are also scheduled for last Thursday morning and at 4 p.m. at the school.