MCLA to Host 2024 Leadership Conference

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announces the campus will host the 2024 Leadership Conference from July 5 to 7 – the culminating experience for the Leadership Academy 2023 cohort.
 
Dr. Darcy Fernandes, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) senior associate commissioner will open the conference with a keynote presentation on Friday, July 5 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Murdock Hall, Room 218. Additional keynote presentations include Vice Provost of Equity and Belonging at MCLA André Lynch on July 6, and Anti-bias Education Consultant Phil Fogelman on July 7.
 
"Alumni Talks" will be offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Conference sessions will run on July 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., and are presented by members of the Leadership Academy 2023 cohort on topics ranging from leading inclusive, anti-racist schools to implementing instructional programs that enhance success for all. Sessions are organized according to the four standards established by MA DESE's Professional Standards for Administrator Leadership (PSAL); instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture.
 
The conference will be held in person at Bowman Hall on MCLA's campus. "Remote access is available for all sessions, and we welcome all educators to join us in person or virtually," said MCLA Leadership Academy Director Marianne Young. 
 
Educators interested in attending the conference can register online or by contacting Marianne Young at marianne.young@mcla.edu.

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Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

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. 
 
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