Our Schools

From the 8-Town Regional School District Planning Board:

The 8 Town Regional School District Planning Board (RSDPB) has completed conducting three surveys designed to gather public input into studying possible consolidation or enhanced collaboration between the Southern Berkshire Regional School District and Berkshire Hills Regional School District and is now in the process of collating and analyzing the survey responses. The surveys were designed to collect input from three constituencies:

• Student and alumni for students in grades 9-12 who attend either Monument Mountain Regional High School or Mt. Everett Regional High School, and for alumni who graduated from either high school from 2018 to 2021.
• All faculty and staff who work for the two school districts.
• Community members or anyone who lives in one of the eight towns, or anyone who has a child attending either SBRSD or BHRSD even if they live in a different town.

"Getting survey responses from the residents of the communities served by the two districts is essential to our study," said Lucy Prashker, chair of the RSDPB, when the surveys were first launched. "We want to hear from students and alumni, faculty and staff, elected officials, parents, as well as those who do not have children in the schools. Both permanent residents and those with second homes in the Berkshires are encouraged to participate. Everyone's input and opinion matters." Survey results are expected to be made public by the end of November.

Editor's notes: 1. The Regional School District Planning Board was formed in 2020 to explore collaboration and consolidation possibilities between the two districts, and includes up to three representatives from each of the eight towns served by the SBRSD and BHRSD. 2. The three members of RSDPB from Stockbridge are Sean Stephen, Nick Fredsall, and Patrick White. 3. In July, the 8 Town RSDPB announced the launch of a new website designed to enhance the sharing of information and progress on its work. The results of the survey will be posted when available at the website www.8towns.org or www.rsdpb.org

Photo: Jay Rhind.