The Southern Berkshire Regional School District Elementary Task Force to Hold a Public Forum in Egremont At the North

Fire Station on Wednesday, November 14 at 6:30 PM

In response to community concern about the future of the rural community schools in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District, the school committee appointed a Task Force of representatives of the five towns comprising the district. The Task Force has considered how the Southern Berkshire Regional School District might be configured to attract and retain interested and engaged students and serve the needs of all students. Further, the Task Force was charged to consider the capital needs of the District, the changing demographics of the area and the financial impact on each of the five towns in the District. The Task Force is committed to obtaining as much input as possible from all stakeholders in our schools. To this end, the Task Force has scheduled a series of public forums, within each Town. Anyone interested in the schools and their programs and, in particular, early childhood education in the district should come and provide suggestions, wishes and/or dreams for the future of elementary education in the District. Members of the Task Force will be present at these meetings to share the results of their work to date. The following questions are provided to make it easier for participants to engage in this process: 1. What do you want for your child that your school does not provide? 2. What do you want the school to do for you? How would you like to interact with the school? 3. How do we maintain a sense of community and make parents want to stay and help to maintain their community? 4. What role do you want the community to play in the school/District. What do you want the school/District to do for the community? 5. How would you prioritize what you want for the schools? As residents and taxpayers in our communities we recognize that our schools are our greatest asset and that we have a responsibility to them and to our children. As stakeholders, you, members of the community are invited to participate in determining their brightest possible future and the optimum use of our schools. Forums have already been held in Alford, Monterey, Sheffield, and New Marlborough. Please come to this forum and be heard. We look forward to seeing you there. Should you have questions in the interim, please do not hesitate to contact Charles Flynn or Frank Marino, your Egremont School Committee members and supporter of the task force at chasbflynn@gmail.com Phone 528-1792 or frank.marinaro@live.com Phone 528-1762.