BArT Announces Next Enrollment Deadline for Fall 2026

ADAMS, Mass. — Berkshire Arts & Technology (BArT) Charter Public School has announced that the application deadline to be included in its next enrollment lottery for the 2026-2027 school year is Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at noon.

The public lottery drawing will take place shortly after the noon deadline. This enrollment period is open to prospective students entering grades 6 through 10.

As the only charter public school in the Berkshires, BArT hosts students from all over the county. Interested families should note that applying by this June 23 deadline is the best way to secure an available seat or a desirable waitlist spot for the upcoming school year.

How to Apply: The easiest way to apply is to visit the school's application portal at https://bartcharter.schoolmint.com. Applications must be submitted by the noon deadline on June 23 to be included in the lottery.

Learn More: Information on the school's enrollment policy and the public lottery process can be found at https://www.bartcharter.org/apps/pages/Enrollment.

Cheshire Hires Adams Officer as New Police Chief

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:00PM / Friday, August 21, 2026

Matthew Wright shakes hands with board members and Town Administrator Jennifer Morse on Friday after being offered the post. 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Adams Police Sgt. Matthew Wright has been tapped as Cheshire's next police chief. 

 

The four present board members unanimously voted to hire him after an interview on Friday afternoon held during a special Selectmen's meeting. 

 

Wright was the only finalist for a police chief search that lasted several months. The only public who attended, other than iBerkshires, was interim Police Chief Timothy Garner and Wright's wife. 

 

The board will meet in executive session with Wright for contract negotiations then set an open session to establish a start date. 

 

Board member Scott McWhirt recused himself from the interview as he had worked with Wright in the Adams Police Department prior to his retirement in 2016.

 

Wright highlighted his deep roots in Cheshire, where he was born and raised, being a Hoosac Valley High School graduate and earning an associate degree in criminal justice from Berkshire Community College and later a bachelor's from Westfield State University.

 

Now, he is raising his own family in town, following in his father's footsteps by giving back to the community by being a volunteer coach and participates in local festivities.