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Superintendent Jake McCandless, seen at Pittsfield High's graduation ceremonies this past spring, says he will stay in the district to see his third child graduate from the schools.

McCandless Staying on as Pittsfield Superintendent of Schools

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The local radio is reporting that Superintendent Jason "Jake" McCandless will be staying in Pittsfield. 
 
Mayor Linda Tyer, while appearing on Live 95.9's "Slater and Marjo in the Morning" on Friday, said the superintendent isn't leaving the area. 
 
McCandless last week had confirmed that he was a finalist for the superintendent's position of the Silver Lake Regional School District in Kingston, just north of Plymouth. He told iBerkshires that "It simply feels in my gut like it is a good time to make a change." 
 
He had also indicated to The Berkshire Eagle that he had applied for other openings as well. Several postings were listed on the Massachusetts Association of School Committees at that time, including Silver Lake. 
 
McCandless said if not selected he and his family will re-evaluate their options. He said remaining in Pittsfield is not out of the question.
 
"If this opportunity does not work out, our family will evaluate our options and see," he said last week. "Staying here and continuing to serve is an excellent scenario, so we will see."
 
He'd been offered a six-year contract with the Pittsfield Public Schools two years into his first contract. 
 
The superintendent told Live 95.9 that he had interviewed for three posts and spent a great deal of time reflecting and speaking with people, especially his family.
 
"In the end, in spite of visiting three wonderful places, we decided that the Berkshires is home, Pittsfield is home and this is where I need and want to be right now," he told the radio station. "I feel very fortunate to serve here and and look forward to seeing our third child graduate from the Pittsfield Public Schools, and to keep working in a remarkable community."

Tags: Pittsfield Public Schools,   superintendent,   

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Pittsfield Signs Negotiating Rights Agreement With Suns Baseball Team

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Suns will call Wahconah Park home again. 

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission accepted a negotiating rights agreement between the city and longtime summer collegiate baseball team, the Pittsfield Suns. It solidifies that the two will work together when the historic ballpark is renovated. 

It remains in effect until the end of 2027, or when a license or lease agreement is signed. Terms will be automatically extended to the end of 2028 if it appears the facility won't be complete by then. 

"It certainly looks like it lays out kind of both what the Suns and Pittsfield would like to see over the next year or so during this construction plan, to be able to work together and work exclusively with each other in this time," Commissioner Anthony DeMartino said. 

Owner Jeff Goldklang, joining virtually, said he shared those thoughts, and the team looks forward to starting negotiations. After this approval, it will need a signature from Mayor Peter Marchetti and the baseball team. 

The negotiating rights agreement recognizes the long-standing relationship between Pittsfield and the team dating back to 2012, and the Suns' ownership group's historical ties to Wahconah Park and the city dating to the 1980s. The team skipped the 2024 and 2025 seasons after the historic grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022.  

The Suns were granted the exclusive right to negotiate in good faith with the city for a license or lease agreement where the Suns will be the primary tenant. During the terms of the agreement, the city can't negotiate or enter into an agreement with another party for leniency, licensing, or operation of Wahconah Park for professional or collegiate summer baseball. 

"The Parties acknowledge the historic and cultural importance of Wahconah park to the residents of Berkshire County and share a mutual goal of providing community access, engagement, and programming on a broad and inclusive scale," it reads. 

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