PHS Passes Air, Water Quality Testing
 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Air and water testing on Pittsfield High School came back favorably as the city prepares a statement of interest for renovations.
Mayor Peter Marchetti relayed these results to the School Building Needs Commission on Tuesday. More information will be provided at the next School Committee meeting.
"The city team has done both air quality monitoring to Pittsfield High School and water quality testing to Pittsfield High School; both tests have come back that it's safe to be in the schools from an air quality and water quality piece," he said.
In July, the School Committee received a report card on Pittsfield High School's physical condition, which was described as "poor" and in need of restoration to its original character. Marchetti and Superintendent Latifah Phillips toured PHS the same month and heard concerns about air and water quality.
Air quality testing was also done two years ago.
The city is pursuing a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, a quasi-independent government agency, to cover up to 80 percent of the cost for renovations. The Pittsfield Public Schools submitted statements of interest for five schools since 2007, and only two have been accepted: Taconic High School in 2009 and the proposed Crosby/Conte elementary build in 2024.
When the question of the high school's condition came to the forefront, some expressed concern about the current condition of the school.
"We'll be bringing those reports and some folks that can actually articulate the reports better than I to the next School Committee meeting so that we can share [the testing results] with the community," Marchetti said.
"But a little teaser now that for all those that may buy into some of the stuff that they've heard, the air quality and water testing all came back cleared for takeoff."
Students returned to school on Monday for the 2026-2027 school year.
A summation of the 284,301-square-foot building at 300 East St. describes it as being "in poor condition overall," but the condition of the finishes and overall quality of the school is said to reflect the age at which it was constructed.
Restoration to its original character is recommended.
In other news, Taconic's new horticulture garage is near completion. The expanded facility will enhance students' access to hands-on learning, allowing them to develop technical skills and gain practical experience that prepares them for careers in horticulture, landscaping, and land management.
The project received support through a state Skills Capital Grant.
Tags: air quality, PHS,
