Berkshires Getting Snow, Icy Rain Overnight

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Just because the Tuesday reached a relatively balmy 30 degrees, don't think that winter is giving up. 
 
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has issued a winter weather advisory from Tuesday afternoon through 6 a.m. Wednesday for up to 4 inches of snow and sleety ice.
 
Plan on slippery roads and hazardous conditions driving home. Snow will begin late this afternoon and then switch to a wintry mix including freezing rain, in the evening. This precipitation may linger into the morning, freezing roadways in the morning.  
 
The state Department of Transportation is advising travelers that approximately 2-4 inches is forecast across most of the state, and up to 2 inches is expected on the Cape and Islands.
 
Highway Districts have pretreated state roadways in advance of the storm and will be deploying snow removal crews and equipment to clear state roadways as snow begins to accumulate. Drivers are encouraged to use caution and reduce speed, as snow may cause slippery roadway conditions.
 
"MassDOT is monitoring upcoming snowfall that is expected to impact today’s evening commute, with 2 to 4 inches possible across most of Massachusetts," said State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.?"For commuters and anyone else out on the roads this afternoon and evening, we encourage everyone to allow for extra time, reduce speeds, and to be mindful of our snow removal crews and snowplows."
 
MassDOT has more than 3,000 pieces of state and vendor equipment available.
 
Greylock Snow Day puts the chance of a school day off on Wednesday at zero but notes it could case delays, especially in South County. 

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Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

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. 
 
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