Pittsfield Schools Social-Distancing Practices End April 11

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With masks now optional, Pittsfield Public Schools will end its social distancing practices on April 11.

Superintendent Joseph Curtis announced the change in his regular update to PPS students, staff, and families on Friday. It will apply to instruction, transition, and meal service times.

With the change, signage related to masking, distancing, and room capacity will be removed and students will be able to share a lunch table in the cafeterias.

"The cafeteria transitions will take some time as large amounts of existing individual student desks have to be placed or stored," Curtis wrote in the communication.

"Cafeteria tables have to be removed from storage and moved back into their original locations. We anticipate that all cafeterias will have original cafeteria seating in place by Monday, April 25. Each school cafeteria will have limited seating for students who choose to eat at an individual desk."

The district's mask policy was made optional in March and the city's masking directive was changed to an advisory in late February.

Curtis emphasized the need to respect students and staff's choice in masking, whether it is to wear one or not.

Pittsfield is currently in the yellow incidence for COVID-19 transmission with about 19.5 cases per 100,000 people and a positivity rate of 3.5.  There are currently 81 estimated actively contagious cases in the city and six patients in Berkshire Medical Center with the virus.

The superintendent's update also included dates for the district's graduation and moving up ceremonies

Both high school commencement ceremonies will be held on-premise on Sunday, June 5. The Taconic High School ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. and the Pittsfield High School ceremony will begin at 4.

 


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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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