Letter: Macksey for Mayor

To the Editor:

I moved to North Adams more than a year ago, I lived in Tennessee for a short while after leaving Pittsfield due to an attack on my son.

Within this time of our return, a lot of things in North Adams changed.

One thing seems to be the heart of our fine community. There's some art making its way back to our area and that is wonderful. One change I see fits voting for Jennifer Macksey for mayor. When my family first met her at the Downtown Celebration she was so inviting warm and caring.

My son, who has PTSD issue a from the above mentioned in Pittsfield, went right over and gave her a big hug. He took right to her. Jennifer cares for her community, her voters, for everyone. She is kind and wonderful listener, she will absolutely be a great leader. She is a positive role model for all of us. She is exactly what our city needs for a better tomorrow.

All of my children adore her; my wife and I are amazed how one person can reach so many people. I know in my heart Jennifer Macksey is our next mayor, our leader, our future. I trust in her and her campaign. I urge you on Nov. 2 to vote. for Jennifer Macksey.

Tony Paulyk
North Adams, Mass.

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.