Letter: Vote for Greylock on Oct. 8

To the Editor:

Dear North Adams Neighbors,

We are writing today in support of the new Greylock School project. Education has always been our family's priority, and we were very lucky to have received a complete early childhood education. Early education is the foundation on which everything in a community, such as ours, is built upon.

The effects of the new school project will be felt for generations and build a strong foundation for the future of our community. This is why the passing of the Greylock School Project, an opportunity provided to all children in North Adams, is important to us and our family.

Please support the Greylock School Project and come out to vote on Oct. 8 because it will be crucial for securing a brighter, stronger community. Let’s come together to make a lasting impact on the children of North Adams.

Grace and Charlotte Towler
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.