Letter: Reflecting on North Adams' Resolution to Be a Sanctuary City

To the Editor:

I commend the North Adams City Council for passing the resolution declaring our city a Sanctuary City for transgender and gender-diverse people. At a time when human rights are under attack, this action reaffirms North Adams' commitment to being a place of safety, dignity, and belonging for all. Thank you to Councilors Breen, Blackmer, Fitch, Bona, Shade, and Morrow for using their platform to protect the rights of all community members.

While the overall sentiment in the room was supportive, I want to highlight a concerning moment. A local transgender teen stood up to share how their queer family had recently experienced transphobia. As he attempted to read a hateful text message his family received, Council President Sapienza interrupted him, striking his gavel and calling for respectful language. This reaction appeared to throw the teen off, and he quickly sat back down — seemingly unable to finish what he came to say. No councilor encouraged him to continue.

Sapienza had earlier asked the public to refrain from personal attacks but did not set expectations around language. While the content of the message was difficult to hear, this teen was not attacking anyone — he was shedding light on real harm happening in our community. His ability to express his fears in a public forum should not have been questioned or silenced.

I challenge Councilor Sapienza and the Council as a whole to reflect on the power dynamics at play. This teen holds no voting power but had the courage to stand at that microphone and speak his truth. It is your civic duty to listen fully —especially when it's uncomfortable — because too many young people in our community are suffering.

Finally, I want to thank Mayor Macksey, who later presented a proclamation for Trans Day of Visibility and, in an act of solidarity, personally handed it to the teen. This bold gesture from the highest-ranking city official demonstrated what true support looks like.

I urge our local leaders to ensure all voices — especially those of our most vulnerable youth — are heard and respected. It is through listening, not silencing, that we create meaningful change.

Jessica Sweeney
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 fulling 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.