VOTE! October 23, 2023 6 PM
Attend Town Meeting and Vote! Yup the merger is now dead but the Senior Tax Work off is on the agenda and — even though Egremont declined — put Stockbridge on the record.
Attend and Vote. Thank you.
Breaking news: Egremont Votes No — 2 to 1. Since the Commonwealth requires that districts vote as one — the merger is dead. On the other hand…
Say the word “school” at a Stockbridge Town Meeting and everyone votes “aye” and always did.
As early as 1776, Stockbridge had three schools. Elsewhere in Berkshire County, the battles were epic over allocating money to build just one school and the cost of running it. In Stockbridge there were so many schools, the Town had to hire a Keeper of the District Schools.
John Fisk arrived late in 1776 to serve as the new Keeper of Schools and to teach. Formerly a Revolutionary War officer from a Connecticut regiment, Fisk was paid a respectable 11 pounds 30 per month (about $2000 today). Just as important as a good wage, in Stockbridge, teachers were highly respected members of the community.
A notice was posted on the Stockbridge Elm: “The utmost caution should be observed to do or say nothing in a manner likely to come to the ears of children as to injure the reputation of their teacher.”
Our early history makes it doubly sad that we have not had a public school in this Town since the Plain School closed its doors in 2006 — 17 years ago. The following year, Town Offices moved into the school. Even if the merger had been adopted, we still wouldn’t have had a public school in Stockbridge.
However, here’s the good news: we have a vibrant private high school in the village — the Berkshire Waldorf High School (BWHS). Things are moving. BWHS is raising the funds and signing the papers necessary to purchase Old Town Hall as a permanent home. This being Stockbridge, the school will move into Old Town Hall, and the old school is the new Town Offices. Nevermind — Once again Stockbridge will have a permanent school building in the village. It will be wonderful to welcome a school to Stockbridge.
Read on and read all about it.
