The CES Newsroom

Franklin County

Staff shortages ‘adding a layer of stress’ at area school districts

Posted on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Julian Mendoza, Mary Byrne, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 12/6/2021
Link: Complete Article

Schools across the region are experiencing staffing shortages with more severity than in past years, creating an additional layer of stress as staff and administrators try fill the gaps. The situation is dire in some cases, said Pioneer Valley Regional School District interim Superintendent Patricia Kinsella, with staff members in her district working well outside… [Read More]

Hinds and Blais say launch of Rural Schools Commission ‘a big win’ for region

Posted on Thursday, May 13th, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Anita Fritz, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 5/12/2021
Link: Complete Article

GREENFIELD — State Sen. Adam Hinds and state Rep. Natalie Blais recently chaired the first meeting of the state’s Rural Schools Commission, and they expect that the body will have recommendations by the end of the year for how to permanently fund rural school districts. The commission is tasked with identifying long-term solutions to the… [Read More]

Franklin County has two Schools of Recognition

Posted on Saturday, October 12th, 2019 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Domenic Poli, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 10/11/2019
Link: Complete Article

Two Franklin County schools are among the 67 recognized by the state for strong MCAS achievement or for exceeding their performance targets. Whately Elementary School and Swift River School in New Salem were named as Schools of Recognition in the “High Growth” category by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and their principals… [Read More]

Students to ask state for more education funds

Posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Grace Bird, Max Marcus, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 2/11/2019
Link: Complete Article

Students and educators from seven Pioneer Valley school districts are going to Boston on Feb. 28 to ask state lawmakers to increase funding for rural schools. The students were supposed to go this week, but the trip was postponed due to inclement weather. The group has one main request: that legislators add a “rurality factor” to… [Read More]

Rural School Aid awarded to local districts

Posted on Tuesday, November 6th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Diane Broncaccio, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 11/6/2018
Link: Complete Article

DALTON – State Sen. Adam G. Hinds and state education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley announced that 33 rural school districts will receive part of a new $1.5 million appropriation to help cash-strapped rural schools in sparsely populated communities. In Franklin County, the largest aid sums went to Ralph C. Mahar, Mohawk Trail and Pioneer Valley regional school… [Read More]

‘It’s my favorite school in the whole world’: Kids bid farewell to Heath School

Posted on Monday, June 26th, 2017 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Diane Broncaccio, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 6/23/2017
Link: Complete Article

HEATH — The child chatter in the half-filled cafeteria on the last day of school was seemingly cheery, until you asked if they were looking forward to their summer vacation. One little girl hesitated, then nodded her head. “Yes,” she said solemnly. “But I’m sad to leave this school.” “I’m sad that the school is… [Read More]

Editorial: Sparsity aid concept would greatly benefit rural schools

Posted on Sunday, June 4th, 2017 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Editorial, The Greenfield Recorder
Date: 6/2/2017
Link: Complete Article

A provision to study how rural schools might get more state aid has been included in the Senate budget that was adopted last month. That’s good news for Franklin County’s struggling, small school districts. The so-called “sparsity aid” formula was developed and championed by Mohawk Trail Regional School Superintendent Michael Buoniconti as part of an… [Read More]

He’s game for becoming superintendent

Posted on Sunday, January 18th, 2015 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Chris Curtis, The Recorder
Date: 01/18/15
Link: Complete Article

TURNERS FALLS, MA — As principal of the Franklin County Technical School, Richard Martin was known for a nearer-than-the-bleachers involvement in the vocational high school’s sports teams, suiting up for practice and running drills with teenagers. Martin, 50, of Rindge, N.H., said he doesn’t think that will change when he takes over as superintendent in… [Read More]

Federal Humanities Grant Showcases Pioneer Valley’s Role In Technological Innovation

Posted on Sunday, January 11th, 2015 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Collaborative for Educational Services

NORTHAMPTON – A new grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities will bring $168,400 to help 72 educators around the country make history relevant and exciting for students by exploring how the past shapes today’s culture and technology. The Forge of Innovation program will showcase the Pioneer Valley’s history as the nation’s hub of… [Read More]