Community Contra Dance

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NORTH ADAMS — On Saturday, July 13 there will be a community contra dance.
 
North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance with calling by Fern Bradley, and live music provided by local musicians.
 
All are welcome. New dancers and families with children are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 for instruction in the basics.
 
Fern Bradley will call all dances, starting the evening with easy dances friendly to newcomers and families with children. The caller teaches new moves and skills as needed, so that beginners can dance with everyone right from the start.  Music will be live, by local musicians in varied small ensembles, organized by Eric Buddington. 
 
The dance will run 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the All Saints Episcopal Church, 59 Summer St., North Adams.  Use the door closest to the post office.  Admission is pay-as-you-can:  $5 - $15, or barter equivalent, suggested. 
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NBSU OKs Administrator Contracts

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire School Union Committee approved three-year contracts for two administrators and made plans for the departure of a third. 
 
The committee at its Thursday meeting, held virtually, voted the contracts for Assistant Superintendent Tara Barnes and Director of Information Technology Josh Arico. 
 
Business Administrator Lisa Blackmer gave her 90-day notice two weeks ago with final date of March 14. Her two-year contract was approved in December 2023.
 
Both Arico and Barnes were applauded for their work and given everything they requested. 
 
Barnes will receive a 3 percent raise in each of the next three years, have her transportation stipend rolled into her salary, a longevity clause and allowed up to four days for remote work for family reasons.
 
She noted she has brought in nearly $1 million in competitive grants and manages the federal entitlement grants. Superintendent John Franzoni supported her requests, which they had discussed prior to the meeting.
 
"One of our goals was to go to each school each week, and I think that she does fulfill that," he said. "So the request about the remote work really, she does do it as needed, but it doesn't impact her schedule to make sure she's at all the schools, each week, and really, she goes above and beyond."
 
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