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Berkshire Hills committee approves district trainers, student trip, handbooks and improvement plan
Summary
The school committee approved a district-led Safety Care trainer structure (one lead trainer at $55,000; two additional trainers at $4,000), an out-of-state poetry festival trip for 12 students, conditional approval of three school handbooks and adopted a focused District Improvement Plan to emphasize professional culture and instructional gains.
The Berkshire Hills Regional School District School Committee approved several administrative proposals during its meeting, including creating district-led Safety Care trainer positions, permitting a same-day out-of-state student trip, and adopting a streamlined District Improvement Plan.
Administration proposed hiring one lead Safety Care trainer at $55,000 plus two additional trainers at $4,000 each to deliver in‑district training for staff working with students who require specialized supports. The committee moved and approved the memorandum of understanding authorizing those positions; the motion was made and carried by roll call.
The committee also approved a request to take 12 students to the Dodge Poetry Festival in Newark, New Jersey. Staff said the trip will be same-day travel using district vans and that the only expenses would be gasoline and tolls. "It's a great opportunity," a committee member said during discussion; the motion passed unanimously.
On school operations, the principals presented revised handbooks for all three schools, highlighting a new cell-phone policy requiring that personal phones remain in lockers during the school day and updates to Title IX language to reflect federal changes. The committee granted conditional approval so administration can correct broken links and typos before publication.
Finally, the panel approved a districtwide Improvement Plan focused on two priorities: strengthening professional culture and improving instruction. Administration described concrete steps, including clearer objectives, increased observation and feedback routines, and school-based plans aligned to the district plan. A committee member noted the plan's intent to "be simpler and more actionable," and the motion to adopt it passed by roll call.
The committee moved from approvals into broader policy and program discussions and later voted to enter executive session on negotiations.
