North Adams Schools Say Goodbye to Alcombright, Await His Replace
Richard Alcombright, former mayor, encouraged citizens to get involved rather than sitting on the sidelines criticizing.
The former mayor was presented with a clock in 2017 upon the completion of his fourth term as chair of the committee; on Tuesday, he received another clock marking his four years as a member of the committee.
"I have 49 years of aggregate elected services," said Alcombright. "My point is this, that I would not have done it if I didn't love it. The rewards of public service far outweigh any resulting things that might come with any positions."
He said he chose not run because it was time for new voices and ideas, and for others who call the city home to step up. He was disappointed by the last election cycle because of its anger and vitriol, and critics hiding behind keyboards.
"Many uninformed or ill-informed people sitting on the sidelines criticizing those who try so hard to move our community forward, trying to make those who do the work, all of you, feel less than," Alcombright said.
"There is nothing more harmful than when we make someone feel less than ...we need to set a higher standard, our own well-intended standard for political interaction."
His civic service is lengthy — McCann School Committee member; as chair or member of social service, health care and substance abuse committees — as well as his terms as mayor, city councilor and School Committee member. He's served through five different superintendents and with numerous
Mayor Jennifer Macksey thanked him for his stewardship, his guidance, giving her a hug when needed it and a boot when she needed that too. Alcombright thanked her for her bravery in pushing through the Greylock School project.
"I've made so many good friends. I've worked with so many wonderful people, and I truly believe that public service gives way beyond the bounds of what it demands," he said, encouraging people to volunteer, serve on boards and run for office. "The city needs you to come out and participate, bring your hearts, bring your minds and bring your energy to the table."
While he joked that he was going home now "because I can," he will still be involved with schools as a continuing member of the School Building Committee.
Alcombright's replacement will be determined during a joint meeting of the School Committee and City Council on Jan. 13.
The School Committee requested letters of interest in the four-year seat and has so received four applications. All four will have three minutes to state their case why they should be selected.
Incumbents David Sookey and Emily Daunis were re-elected in November but the winner of the third seat up for election could not serve after obtaining a post within the North Adams Public Schools.
The committee also held its reorganization, re-electing Sookey as vice president on the nomination of Daunis, and Daunis as secretary on the nomination of Sookey.
It confirmed subcommittee appointments of Macksey as chair, Cody Chamberlain and Daunis to Negotiations of Professional Staff; Daunis as chair, Alyssa Tomkowicz and the new committee member to Negotiations for Non-Professional Staff; Macksey as chair, Tara Jacobs and Sookey to Finance and Facilities; Sookey as chair, Chamberlain and Tomkowicz to Policy, and Jacobs as chair and new member to Endowment.
In other business:
The committee accepted a $500 donation from the Peter A. Cook VFW Post 9144 for the Drury High School band and $500 from Mountain One and $100 from Greylock Federal Credit Union, both to benefit the school book fair. All students leave with a book.
Business Administrator Nancy Rauscher gave a rundown of the budget timeline, which will start with the release of the governor's fiscal 2027 budget in late January. Finance & Facilities is expected to review the draft proposals in March and a presentations will be made to the School Committee in April and May with a public hearing and vote in late May or early June.
The committee also heard updates on the Greylock School project and the secondary education collaboration project, with the announcement that Daunis and City Councilor Peter Breen, and Damon Grimes and Amber Godfrey Caproni will serve on the Steering Committee; and from Athletic Director Jeff Puleri on Drury athletics and the shared services program with Hoosac Valley Regional School District.
