Letter: Former Superintendent Backs Macksey for Mayor

To the Editor:

I write this letter in support of Jennifer Macksey for the position of mayor of North Adams. During my tenure as superintendent of schools, I had the opportunity to work with Jen in a number of critical areas. Going through my archived notes I came across several examples of her skills in dealing with a variety of complex and major issues. The key issues she dealt with included establishing student activity accounts, pay dates for employees, and cherry sheet issues. Jen was there to help us set up procedures for the safety of students and staff.

Her expertise in finance was invaluable when issues arose concerning funding related to the Greylock, Sullivan and Conte building repairs. She worked with state Rep. Daniel Bosley’s office regarding these projects. During the $21 million Drury High renovation, she was at my side in a number of ways such as dealing with bus transportation issues, financial reports, and dealing with the architects at Tessier Associates during all phases of the project. She sat in on many of our weekly construction meetings, and she knew the various subcontractors on a first name basis. Her excellent communication and financial skills were demonstrated in our conversations with the general contractor.

She did her research on costs and never backed away from a dispute over numbers and details. She knew representatives from the SBAB (former School Building Assistance Bureau) in Boston, and she made sure the city got its 87 percent reimbursement. She excelled in designing RFPs for various projects and in the creation of bid specs for purchases. This included bids on trucks and vans, telecommunication networks, computers, $100,000 HVAC maintenance, and half-million dollar bus transportation .

Jen participated in crafting critical documents regarding school lunch programs. These documents saved the School Department a considerable amount of money and provided a template for future protocols. She was cognizant of School Department spending and reviewed invoices and payments with great detail. She saved the city many dollars through the careful use of borrowing in anticipation of revenue. She monitored bond trends while working closely with the city's financial advisers. Her communication skills were evident in meetings with state officials, our legal department, staff, vendors, parents, and the press.

I often referred to her as "Director of Everything." I confidently support her in becoming the next mayor of North Adams.

Joe Rogge
Adams, Mass.

Joseph Rogge is a retired superintendent of the North Adams Public Schools.

Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
07:25AM / Sunday, March 15, 2026

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 

 

The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.

 

"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.

 

A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 

 

Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 

 

Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 

 

They will submit those with a school picture to the governor.