Pittsfield Public Schools Public Hearing on Proposed Middle Grade Restructuring

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pursuant to School Committee Policy SC-64 Policy for Redistricting of Schools, which guarantees the community a formal opportunity to comment on any proposed change that affects school attendance zones, the Pittsfield Public Schools (PPS) School Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
 
The purpose of this hearing is to gather input from parents, students, staff, and other residents regarding a proposal to restructure middle?grade education into two grade spans: Grades 5–6 and Grades 7–8.
 
If approved, the plan would modify current school attendance zones, which now assign students to a middle school based strictly on home address.
 
Key Points of the Proposal
  • Grade Configuration:
    • Grades 5–6 would be housed together to support the transition from elementary to middle school.
    • Grades 7–8 would focus on preparing students for the academic and social demands of high school.
  • Attendance Zones: Current middle school boundaries would be eliminated, and all students would attend the designated Grade 5–6 school followed by the Grade 7–8 school, regardless of where they live.
    • Educational Rationale: The reconfiguration aims to provide more targeted academic programming, age?appropriate social?emotional supports, and expanded elective options.
How to Participate
  1. In?Person Testimony: Community members wishing to speak may sign up in the City Hall Chambers beginning at 5:15 p.m.
  2. Livestream & Recording: The hearing will be livestreamed on Pittsfield Community Television (Channel 1302).
Next Steps
 
Following the public hearing, the School Committee will review all feedback and determine whether to move the proposal forward for a vote on June 25, 2025. Any approved changes would take effect during the 2025–2026 school year.
 
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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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