Letter: Macksey: Working Hard From Day One

To the Editor:

Beyond a doubt, Jennifer Macksey is the most qualified leader who possesses the values, experience, skills, and total dedication to the residents of North Adams to continue to serve as mayor. She listens, executes, and delivers results.

As a lifelong resident of North Adams and as a 28-year teacher at Drury High School, I know firsthand that Jennifer's word is her promise. She follows through with initiatives and works tirelessly in her pursuit of improving the city's infrastructure and educational programming. Jennifer has improved services to ensure greater accountability and transparency. She has protected taxpayers, balanced budgets, and prioritized public safety to keep our neighborhoods safe.

Ms. Macksey has a love of our city and is genuinely concerned about the welfare of every resident. She works tirelessly to make our community a better place.

A mayor requires strong leadership, effective communication, and sound managerial skills to run a city efficiently. Key skills include the ability to research and analyze complex city issues, represent the city to external parties, lead and motivate staff, and make sound decisions within a complex political and legal framework. Jennifer Macksey has these skills and is the right person to continue to lead the City of North Adams.

Jennifer Macksey is an experienced problem solver and strong leader with great integrity. She has been ready from day one, has worked hard, and has delivered on her promises. Please join me in voting for Jennifer Macksey on Nov. 4 to continue serving as our mayor. North Adams deserves a strong, experienced leader.

Patrick Boulger
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.