Lanesborough Elementary Top Level School in MCAS

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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Secretary of Education Matt Malone points to Lanesborough's certificate during a recent visit.
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Elementary School is again one of the top schools in the state.
 
The school recently received its standardize testing scores and has ranked as a Level 1 — the highest designation — for the second year in a row.
 
"We are Level 1 for the second year in a row and that is not easy to accomplish," said Principal Ellen Boshe. "It is the support of the community that allows us to have the services we provide."
 
Based on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System testing, the state sets target scores that measure both the grow of students throughout their educational career and the school's ability to narrow proficiency gaps. For Lanesborough, a score of 75 meets the state's target and Lanesborough Elementary scored 95 for all students and a 98 for students with high needs.
 
"We were certainly right at the top of the list," Boshe said.
 
The principal added that reaching the Level 1 designation two years in a row is significant. The state sets progressively higher goals to close the proficiency gap, making it more difficult for school's to repeat good performances.
 
"Every year it becomes harder and harder because you've made improvements and need to make more," Boshe said.
 
School Committee member James Moriarty said, "at some point, you can only improve so much." 
 
The sixth-graders exceeded state averages in both subjects tested — math and English. A total of 84 percent of the students were proficient or higher in English compared to the state average of 68 percent. Only 13 percent of the sixth graders needed improvement and only 3 percent were failing.
 
In math, 78 percent of the students were proficient or higher compared to the state average of 60 percent. Only 16 percent of the students needed improvement and 6 percent was failing.
 
In the fifth grade, where science is tested, 68 percent of the students were proficient or higher in science compared to the state average of 53 percent.
 
The third-graders also showed impressive numbers with 74 percent of the students scoring proficient or higher in both reading and math. That is compared to state averages of 57 percent for reading and 68 percent for math.
 
The scores earned the school a certificate from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Lanesborough MCAS Scores 2014


Tags: academics,   MCAS,   standardized testing,   

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Lanesborough to Negotiate New HCA With Only Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. Due to evolving state regulations, the town must settle on a new or amended host community agreement with its only dispensary.
 
On Monday, Feb. 24, the Select Board voted to allow Town Administrator Gina Dario to work with counsel towards a resolution.  Dario felt that both parties were willing to come up with a practical solution.
 
Liberty Market, located on North Main Street, has requested a new host community agreement or host community agreement waiver in lieu thereof.  The town was sent a notice of non-compliance from the Cannabis Control Commission in January.
 
"The discussion for the Select Board is whether or not to proceed with either a redrafting of the current host community agreement or a re-negotiation of a new host community agreement that uses a more prescriptive template that is being provided by The Cannabis Control Commission," Dario explained.
 
A couple of years ago, the Canabis Control Commission (CCC) approved changes to the state's adult and medical use regulations including policies that implement the agency's oversight of host community agreements, new equity requirements, and suitability reform.
 
"The Cannabis Control Commission is taking the position that changes to the cannabis laws which went into effect in November of 2022 are retroactive and affect pre-existing agreements, such as the one that the town has with Liberty Market," Attorney Nicole Costanzo said.
 
"Of course, there are some novel legal issues presented as to whether or not the legislative changes do retroactively affect pre-existing host community agreements. It's my understanding that the town does want to work with Liberty Market nevertheless and try and get them a "compliant" agreement for purposes of the Cannabis Control Commission issuing them a license renewal to move forward."
 
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