BArT Awarded State STEM Equipment and Professional Development Grant

07:43AM / Monday, November 17, 2025Print Story | Email Story

ADAMS, Mass. — Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School (BArT) is the recipient of the Healey-Driscoll Administration's Massachusetts Life Science Center's (MLSC) STEM Equipment and Professional Development Grant Program.

$60,515 has been awarded to BArT to expand life sciences education and enhance STEM career pathways for students. Plans underway include augmenting the AP science course offerings, upgrading lab equipment, and providing enhanced professional development for the science team.

"The life sciences are a cornerstone of our economy, and the industry's continued growth depends on cultivating the next generation of talent across every region of the Commonwealth," said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. "These grants strengthen the connection between STEM education and industry needs, ensuring Massachusetts remains a leader in life sciences workforce development for years to come."

The MLSC is awarding more than $3.3 million for 49 projects through the STEM Equipment and Professional Development Grant Program. This funding will serve nearly 56,000 students at 131 schools and provide professional development opportunities for more than 320 teachers. The program prepares students for life sciences careers by enabling schools to purchase lab equipment, materials, supplies, and technology, and provide teachers with professional development opportunities that support the implementation of advanced curricula and standards alignment.

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Cheshire Urges Voters to Check Status, Deliberates New Fire Sign

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
04:06PM / Monday, August 24, 2026

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Voters wishing to cast ballots in next week's primary and the general election should check their voting status: the town clerk's office reported about 900 inactive voters in July.

Town Clerk Whitney Flynn last week was announcing the state primary election date, Tuesday, Sept. 1 with early voting being:

Saturday, August 22: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, August 24: 3 to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, August 25: 3 to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, August 26: 3 to 5 p.m.

She told the Selectmen that her office would be doing voter testing on Saturday, which was open for residents to observe.

In June, during the annual town meeting, Flynn reported there were more than 2,500 registered voters and on Tuesday, said more than a third have become inactive. The town's voting list is updated annually and those who have not responded to the annual town census are placed on "inactive" status. And those who don't vote in two consecutive state/federal elections while inactive are removed from the voter list.

"I encourage everyone to check their voter registration status. Nine hundred people were made inactive on the voter list," said Flynn. "It doesn't mean they can't come to vote. It just means that if they didn't fill out that continuous and concurrent residency form by signature that I sent out all those postcards for."

Residents can contact her or return the inactive voter cards she sent out by mail back in July to become active again or remove their name from the list. After the inactive postcards went out, Flynn said she received many back but still has around 500 inactive.

She urged voters to check their status online as some census cards were not verifiable. If you are inactive you can still vote, just be sure to have a document with your name and current residency when you arrive at the polls.

Flynn also added she is always looking for more poll workers.

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