North Adams School Administrator to Lead Sutton School District

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Sutton School District offered the position of superintendent on Monday night to Kimberly Roberts-Morandi, assistant superintendent in the North Adams Public Schools. 
 
Roberts-Morandi was one of four finalists to lead the 1,200-student K-12 district in the south central part of the state. She had her interview with the School Committee on Thursday. 
 
"I am excited to be entering into negotiations for the Sutton superintendency," Roberts-Morandi said on Tuesday. "This is a community that is strong in support of their schools, which have a history of academic and civic success. My years in educational leadership, and especially those under the leadership of Dr. Barbara Malkas and within the community of North Adams, have provided me with experiences and the confidence to take this next step in my service to others."
 
She has been with the North Adams schools as director of curriculum, instruction and assessment since 2016, when then new Superintendent Barbara Malkas brought her on board as part of her new team. She was elevated to assistant superintendent several years ago. 
 
Roberts-Morandi was a principal at the former Adams Memorial Middle School and, after its closing, became a data specialist with the state's Berkshire District and School Assistance Center. She has been an adjunct instructor with Massachusetts College of Liberal Art's Leadership Academy and a team leader with SchoolWorks, which provides consulting for underperforming schools. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from MCLA and her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of New England.
 
The Millbury-Sutton Chronicle reported that Sutton School Committee Chairman Bruce Edwards had visited North Adams and found that Roberts-Morandi was a problem-solver with extensive experience in writing grants and overseeing grants. 
 
The committee members voted their top candidates and then voted for Roberts-Morandi as their choice. 
 
Her start date is July 1, pending contract negotiations. Sutton began its search for a new superintendent in January; the current superintendent of 12 years, Theodore Friend, announced in November 2021 his decision to retire on Aug. 1. 

Tags: NAPS,   school administrator,   

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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region. 
 
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
 
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
 
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
 
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
 
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways. 
 
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."  
 
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