Letter: Macksey Is a Proven Leader

To the Editor:

I am proud to support the re-election of Mayor Macksey. I have known Mayor Macksey for more than 20 years and I have had the pleasure of working closely with her and seeing firsthand her leadership for North Adams.

Mayor Macksey is special because she truly cares about people. Her values are founded on compassion, and that comes through when you see her supporting local youth sports, rebuilding our senior center, and ensuring that our schools have everything our community can muster. She has remained close to the community as a mayor, but more importantly, as a neighbor, mentor, and friend.

Mayor Macksey does not shy away from big challenges; she confronts them head-on. The rec center revitalization speaks volumes about her resolution. What was once a facility on the brink now serves as a hub for community activity thanks to her leadership, dedication, and coordination.

Mayor Macksey’s time in office has demonstrated her rare combination of strategic vision and personal commitment. She is equally capable of securing funding through state and local grants to improve our city and following through on those projects. Her attention to the issues, great and small, reflects her devotion to those whom she serves.

Not only will you see her greet residents with genuine warmth, but she listens and acts on the needs of her constituents. Her leadership is not about policy, but about people.

Constructive and collaborative leadership is more essential than ever, and Jennifer Macksey has proven herself to be exactly the kind of leader North Adams needs.

On Nov. 4, I will be voting for Mayor Jennifer Macksey. I encourage all my neighbors who want to move our city toward a better future to join me.

Ian Bergeron
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 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.