Saturday, February 24, 2024 | Making The Grade 2024
BEN GARVER – THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Morningside Community School is one of three outdated West Side schools that have prompted officials to look at a districtwide grade realignment that could result in a new school building project.
PITTSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
District building for the future
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By Matt Martinez The Berkshire Eagle
PITTSFIELD – As enrollment fluctuates,
the Pittsfield Public School system asks: what should be done with the city’s schools? The district is in the midst of a school facilities and district structure study that could result in a shift of grade levels in some buildings, a realignment that will veer away from the current “neighborhood” model and add a whole new facility for the West Side. The expected changes could take years to materialize, but the process to gather community feedback is currently underway.
A CALL FOR CHANGE ON THE WEST SIDE Administrators began analyzing school buildings after a request from community members to replace Conte Community School and Morningside Community School, two elementary buildings that are considered to be outdated due to their design and a historic lack of maintenance. Crosby Elementary School was soon added into the mix. The stage was set for an updated building on the West Side. It soon blossomed into a districtwide analysis and a discussion of how best to use existing resources, Superintendent Joseph Curtis said. The district alignment has been in place for roughly half a century, he said, and a number of improvements could help enhance the student expe-
rience around the city. “As the conversation evolved, we really said this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to really do a comprehensive study of our school district,” Curitis said. The process began this time last year, when the district contracted with DRA Architects in Waltham to conduct the study. Since then, the consultants have assessed each school building to determine its needs, and surveyed staff, students and families about what changes they would like to see. REALIGNING THE GRADES The survey led to discussions of a reconfiguration of grade levels in pre-existing school buildings to make the best use of available space, as
the district prepares for a decline in enrollment over the next five years, followed by a gradual increase in the subsequent five years. One of the current proposals would spread the grade levels out evenly so there are about 400 students at each school at the early elementary level, then enrollments of 750 each for grades 5 and 6 and grades 7 and 8. The reconfigurations will allow the schools to eventually get everyone moved into newer facilities – but it isn’t as easy as just closing the older buildings. “We can’t just close three buildings … and disperse the students to the five remaining buildings,” Curtis said. “It’s just not possible. And it’s particularly not possible if we want to offer universal pre-K, which is an-
