Jonathan Denmark Elected Exec VP of MountainOne Bank

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Jonathan Denmark
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MountainOne has promoted Jonathan Denmark, a Pittsfield resident, to executive vice president of MountainOne Bank.
 
In addition to his new leadership responsibilities, Denmark will continue to serve as president and chief operating officer of MountainOne Insurance Agency.
 
Denmark will celebrate 10 years with MountainOne in March. Early in his tenure as president and COO of MountainOne Insurance, he led the consolidation of MountainOne's Insurance agencies — True North Insurance and Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan, and Collins — and oversaw the rebranding of the combined agencies to MountainOne Insurance. His efforts also established a strong partnership with OneDigital for the agency's group benefits business line. Under his leadership, MountainOne Insurance has continued to expand, acquiring three agencies, opening a new office in Stockbridge, and expanding the agency's presence to the Pioneer Valley. 
 
"It is a true privilege to announce Jonathan's promotion to Executive Vice President," said Robert Fraser, president & CEO of MountainOne Bank. "Over the past decade, Jonathan has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership and a deep commitment to MountainOne's mission. His ability to drive growth, foster innovation, and inspire collaboration has been instrumental to our success. This appointment reflects our confidence in his ability to guide MountainOne toward even greater achievements."
 
Officials say Denmark's growth strategy, coupled with his deep expertise and unwavering dedication, have positioned the agency as a core contributor to MountainOne's overall success.
 
He is highly regarded within both the insurance industry as well as the local community and recently assumed the role of Board Chair of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority, which oversees the William Stanley Business Park. The park, home to the MountainOne building at Silver Lake and the Berkshire Innovation Center, is poised for significant development in the coming years. Denmark's leadership at PEDA will further align economic growth opportunities with community development in Pittsfield and beyond.
 
"I am deeply honored to step into the role of executive vice president at MountainOne Bank," said Denmark. "As we look ahead, I remain dedicated to advancing MountainOne's mission of delivering meaningful solutions that create lasting value for our customers, employees, and communities."

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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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