Pittsfield Sees Rise in Potential School Committee Candidates

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Interest for a seat on the School Committee has boomed as the community continues to ask for more answers on the Pittsfield High School investigation.

Ciara Batory, who filed a public records request that resulted in the secretary of state's office ordering the release of non-exempt parts of Bulkley Richardson & Gelinas' investigation into alleged staff wrongdoing, has taken out papers to represent the Pittsfield Public Schools.

Earlier this month, she filed a second appeal after the School Committee sent the report to the Supervisor of Records, Manza Arthur, for an in-camera review.

"The Pittsfield Public Schools have claimed exemption under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c), citing personnel privacy. However, the allegations in question involve matters of public concern, use of public taxpayer funds, and issues that directly impact student safety — a point that overrides routine personnel privacy under Massachusetts law, especially when misconduct is involved," Batory wrote in a press statement on May 6.

"This is not just about documents. This is about the safety and well-being of 4,900 children in the Pittsfield Public School system. When serious allegations are swept under the rug in the name of 'privacy,' and the public is left in the dark, trust is destroyed. This School Committee has made it clear: protecting their own is more important than protecting our children."

Nomination papers became available on April 3, and certified papers are due by Aug. 1. A preliminary election will narrow the race down on Sept. 16 if a position has more than two candidates, or nine for at-large councilor.

A couple of former faces on the committee have also taken out papers: Vicky Mashek Smith and  Katherine Yon, who served four terms on the committee, including as chair. 

Megan Arvin, who organized the Pittsfield People's March in January, Carolyn L. Barry and Kelly Ott have also taken out papers. The new candidates join incumbents Daniel Elias and Sara Hathaway, and newcomers Geoffrey Buerger, Jacob Klein, and Sarah Muil.

There is a total of 11 interested candidates so far for the six-person committee.

Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

 

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road. 

 

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said. 

 

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said. 

 

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said. 

 

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said. 

 

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.