Pittsfield Boards to Select School Committee Replacement

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee and City Council will meet Wednesday evening to fill a vacancy on the School Committee left by the abrupt departure of Dennis Powell.

Five letters of interest have been submitted for the term expiring in December.

Powell resigned April 14 in protest over the committee's decision to offer the superintendent's position to Joseph Curtis, the deputy superintendent who'd been temporarily filling the post since last fall.

Powell had been the only supporter of Portia Bonner, a Connecticut administrator and the only Black candidate. He signed off during the Zoom meeting and submitted a formal resignation letter to City Clerk Michele Benjamin on April 29.

In accordance with the city charter, both committee and council will meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. to vote on a replacement to complete the last months of Powell's four-year term.

"For a better part of 3 1/2 years, I have tried and thought that I could make a difference in the educational system of Pittsfield Public Schools by being a member of the school committee. Over these past 3 1/2 years, I've been disrespected, ignored, and at times made to feel that my voice meant nothing!" Powell wrote in his letter.

"How the Superintendents process was handled and based on the outcome; was abundantly clear to me; this school committee is not committed to diversity equity and inclusion. Every child is entitled to receive a quality, equitable education!"

The day after Curtis' appointment and Powell's informal resignation, Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey addressed those who voted for Curtis: Mayor Linda Tyer, Daniel Elias, William Cameron, and Chairwoman Katherine Yon, in a Facebook post and email stating that they had failed the district with their selection.

Councilor at Large Earl Persip III and Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Maffuccio seconded Kavey's sentiments over email.  
 
Persip said the superintendent selection was thorough up until the point of selection, where the interviews and voting occurred on three consecutive days.

"I am extremely sorry that Mr. Powell has made a decision to resign," Mayor Linda Tyer told iBerkshires following Powell's resignation. "And I hope that he will reconsider. I understand his frustration and disappointment and I am committed to continuing this work, even when we disagree."

Members of the committee have expressed that they wish that they could have convinced Powell to stay.  

"I have known Dennis for quite a long time, I was I was very disappointed to learn of his resignation," Elias said. "I tried to reach out to him, hopeful that he would change his mind. You know, of course, he didn't."

Elias said he is curious to see how Wednesday's meeting plays out, as this has never happened before under this charter.

Dalton Public Safety Advisory Committee Ranks Potential Properties

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:26AM / Saturday, January 04, 2025

Use of town-owned lots near the Senior Center would require a town meeting vote as housing had been designated a priority for the former school property. 

DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Advisory Committee has ranked four properties to consider during its feasibility study on locations for a new police station. Two have existing structures, including a residential property, and the others are vacant lots.

 

The committee ranked the locations based on a quantitative scoring and weighting process, considering the properties' location, projected cost, size, and whether it is purchase or lease and whether it's vacant or has an existing structure. 

 

Jacunski Humes Architects LLC of Berlin, Conn., selected to conduct the study, will assess what is needed for an efficient and accredited public safety facility at each site. This will include cost estimates and consideration of scenarios such as building a new facility on a green site, remodeling an existing building, and demolishing and rebuilding potential sites. 

 

The property that obtained the highest rank was First Congregational Church's addition, which has offices in the basement with a walkout and some offices on the second floor on the south end. 

 

According to committee co-Chair Craig Wilbur, purchasing or leasing the property is up for negotiation. The congregation has the 2,600 square foot space listed on for lease on its website. 

 

There is also the possibility of constructing a building farther to the east of the existing church using some of the green space and parking lot. 

 

The committee is unsure if the parking lot is available for consideration but opted to keep it on the list so the architect could evaluate all the potential options for the property.