Download - Pittsfield Schools FY16 Budget Book
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Pittsfield Public Schools
Fiscal Year 2016 Budget
P i t t s f i e l d P u b l i c S c h o o l s
2 6 9 F i r s t S t r e e t
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Table of Contents
School Committee ........................................................................................................................................... 5
District Leadership Team ................................................................................................................................ 6
Message from the Super intendent ................................................................................................................. 7
Budget Process Timeline ................................................................................................................................ 8
School Commit tee Budget Calendar .............................................................................................................. 9
The Big Picture .............................................................................................................................................. 10
Revenue Summary by Fund FY11 - FY15 .................................................................................................... 11
Expense Summary by Fund FY11 – FY15 ................................................................................................... 11
History of Budget Staffing Levels and Costs ................................................................................................ 12
Budget Priorities ........................................................................................................................................... 13
School Adjustment Counselors ................................................................................................................. 13
Behavioral Support Team ......................................................................................................................... 13
Additional Budget Obligations ...................................................................................................................... 14
Bus Payments .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Federal E-rate Funding Program Change ................................................................................................. 14
Utility Rate Increases ................................................................................................................................ 15
Increased Special Education Tuition Costs ............................................................................................... 15
Capital Improvement Requests – Schools ................................................................................................ 16
Organizational Section .................................................................................................................................. 17
Organizational Chart ................................................................................................................................. 18
District Facilities—Elementary Schools ..................................................................................................... 19District Facilities—Elementary & Middle Schools ...................................................................................... 20
District Facilities—High Schools & Other Facilities ................................................................................... 21
District Facilities—Other Facilities ............................................................................................................ 22
Enrollment Section ........................................................................................................................................ 23
Enrollment Data ........................................................................................................................................... 24
Enrollment Trends by Elementary School Grade Level ............................................................................. 24
Enrollment Trends by Middle School Grade Level ..................................................................................... 24
Enrollment Trends by High School Grade Level ....................................................................................... 25
Total Enrollment by Race ......................................................................................................................... 25
Long Term Trends in Enrollment .............................................................................................................. 26
10 Year History – Free/Reduced Lunch .................................................................................................... 27
Enrollment Projections .............................................................................................................................. 28
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Programs & Services..................................................................................................................................... 32
Educational Programs .................................................................................................................................. 33
Curriculum ................................................................................................................................................... 33
Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 33
Humanities ............................................................................................................................................... 33
Math and Science ..................................................................................................................................... 33
English Language Learners ......................................................................................................................... 34
First Languages of English Language Learners (ELLs) ............................................................................ 35
Special Education ........................................................................................................................................ 37
Career and Technical Education Programs .................................................................................................. 38
Alternative Education ................................................................................................................................... 38
Technology .................................................................................................................................................. 39
Co-Curricular Programs ............................................................................................................................... 42
After School – 21st Century Programs ....................................................................................................... 42
Summer Programs ................................................................................................................................... 42
Athletics ....................................................................................................................................................... 43
Adult Learning Center Programs and Services............................................................................................. 43
Operational Services .................................................................................................................................... 43
School Lunch and Breakfast Programs ..................................................................................................... 43
Bus Operations ......................................................................................................................................... 45
Custodial Services .................................................................................................................................... 45
Financial Section ........................................................................................................................................... 46Expenditure Function and Classification ...................................................................................................... 47
Major Revenue Sources ............................................................................................................................... 48
State Revenue ............................................................................................................................................. 48
Chapter 70 ............................................................................................................................................... 48
Circuit Breaker .......................................................................................................................................... 49
Local Revenue ............................................................................................................................................. 49
Other Revenue............................................................................................................................................. 50
Tuition Revenue ....................................................................................................................................... 50
Federal Revenue ......................................................................................................................................... 50
Medicaid Reimbursement ......................................................................................................................... 50
Grant Funding .............................................................................................................................................. 50
Budgets........................................................................................................................................................ 51
Operating Budget ......................................................................................................................................... 51
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Net School Spending ................................................................................................................................... 51
Revolving accounts ...................................................................................................................................... 52
Tuition Revolving Accounts ...................................................................................................................... 52
Program Specific Revolving Accounts .......................................................................................................... 53
Adult Learning Center ............................................................................................................................... 53
Athletic Revolving Account ....................................................................................................................... 54
Career and Technical Education Revolving Accounts ............................................................................... 54
Circuit Breaker Revolving Account ........................................................................................................... 55
Community Correction Vocational Revolving Account .............................................................................. 55
Continuing Education Account .................................................................................................................. 56
Custodial Revolving Account .................................................................................................................... 56
Donation Account ..................................................................................................................................... 56
Driver’s Education Revolving Account ...................................................................................................... 57
Enrichment Revolving Account ................................................................................................................. 57
Insurance Revolving Accounts.................................................................................................................. 57
Lost Book Revolving Account ................................................................................................................... 58
Professional Development Revolving Account .......................................................................................... 58
School Food Service Program Account .................................................................................................... 59
Special Education Program Revolving Accounts ...................................................................................... 59
Summer School Program Revolving Accounts ......................................................................................... 59
Testing Revolving Accounts ..................................................................................................................... 60
Transportation Revolving Account ............................................................................................................ 60Informational Section .................................................................................................................................... 61
State Aid ...................................................................................................................................................... 62
FY2016 Local Aid for Pittsfield ..................................................................................................................... 63
FY2016 Chapter 70 ...................................................................................................................................... 65
Chapter 70 Foundation Budget ................................................................................................................. 65
Chapter 70 Trends .................................................................................................................................... 66
Pittsfield Chapter 70 Trends, FY93 to FY15 .............................................................................................. 67
Foundation Budget Rates per Pupil – Chapter 70 ..................................................................................... 68
Per Pupil Expenditures Comparisons ........................................................................................................... 69
Urban School Comparison ........................................................................................................................ 69
Berkshire County School Comparison ...................................................................................................... 70
Grants .......................................................................................................................................................... 71
Grant Information Summary Report .......................................................................................................... 71
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State Grants: ............................................................................................................................................ 72
State Grants - OTHER: ............................................................................................................................. 74
Federal Grants: ........................................................................................................................................ 76
Federal Grants - OTHER: ......................................................................................................................... 82
Private Grants: ......................................................................................................................................... 84
Summary of Grant Awards ....................................................................................................................... 86
School Choice .............................................................................................................................................. 86
School Choice Trends in Pittsfield Students Exiting the District (for School Choice or Charter) ................ 87
Pittsfield Students to School Choice ......................................................................................................... 89
Pittsfield Students to Charter Schools ....................................................................................................... 89
Pittsfield Students Gained by School Choice & Tuition ............................................................................. 90
School Choice & Charter Statistics by Grade ............................................................................................ 91
School Choice Comparisons to Urban Districts ........................................................................................ 92
Past Year School Choice Comparisons of Pittsfield and Other Berkshire County Districts ........................ 93
Per Pupil Expenditures in Berkshire County School Districts .................................................................... 94
Charter School Summary ............................................................................................................................. 95
Homeschooling ............................................................................................................................................ 96
Tuition Rates ................................................................................................................................................ 97
Career and Technical Education Enrollment by Program ............................................................................. 98
Pittsfield Public Schools - Custodial Staffing Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) ............................................... 102
Custodial Staffing (cont’d) ....................................................................................................................... 103
Average Daily Meals .................................................................................................................................. 104Food Service Program FY15 - Daily Avg. Number of Meals Served Compared to Student Enrollment ... 104
By School - FY15 Total Daily Average Number of Lunches Served ........................................................ 104
Athletics ..................................................................................................................................................... 105
Participation ............................................................................................................................................ 105
Athletic Budget ....................................................................................................................................... 106
District Facilities ......................................................................................................................................... 107
District Facilities—Vehicle Inventory .......................................................................................................... 107
Glossary ....................................................................................................................................................... 108
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School Commi ttee
Pittsfield Public Schools
Katherine Yon, Chairperson
Daniel Elias, Vice Chairperson
Cynthia Taylor, Clerk
Joshua Cutler
Pamela Farron
Anthony Riello
Mayor Bianchi, Member Ex. Officio
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District Leadership Team
Jason P. McCandless, Ed.D., Superintendent Cabinet:
Joseph Curtis, Kristen Behnke, Richard Brady, InterimDeputy Superintendent Asst. Supt. Business & Finance Asst. Superintendent CTE
Principals: Elementary
Brenda Kelley, Allendale Elementary School
Candy Jezewski,Capeless Elementary School
Kerry Light, Conte Community School
Donna Baker,Crosby Elementary School
Judy Rush,Egremont Elementary School
Jennifer Stokes, Interim, Morningside Comm. School
Aaron Dean,Stearns Elementary School
Lisa Buchinski,Williams Elementary School
Directors:
Paul Gage,Director, Adult Learning Ctr.
James Abel,Director, Athletics
Susan Donnelly-Wendling,Director, Bus Operations
James Larrow,Director, Custodial Services
Sylvana Bryan,Director Food Services
Curriculum Coordinators:
Susetta Doucette,Early Childhood Education
Virginia Guglielmo-Brady, Ed.D.,
English Language Learners
Holly Goodrich,Humanities Curriculum
Kathleen Latham,Reading/Title I
Diane Wespiser,Math and Science Curriculum
Executive Team:
Harry Hayes, Stephanie Case, James Schultz,Dir. of Human Resources Dir. of Special Education Technology Unit Leader
Principals: Middle & High
Gina Coleman, Ph.D.,Herberg Middle School
Dennis Carr, Interim,Reid Middle School
Matthew Bishop,Pittsfield High School
John Vosburgh,Taconic High School
Pittsfield Public Schools
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Message from the Superintendent
Pittsfield Public SchoolsAdministration Center
269 First Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
www.pittsfield.net
Jason P. McCandless Ed.D.
Superintendent
413.499.9512 • Fax 413.448.2643
Dear Pittsfield Public School Community,
Building a budget plan for an organization that employs over 1,100 people all of whom, in various
ways, serve over 5,800 students is an important task--simple in some ways, and very complex in
others. Simple in that the lion's share of this budget goes directly to pay those who drive students
the people who keep schools clean and safe for students, those who make and serve students
healthy meals, those who take care of student health needs, those who teach, care for and tutor
young people every day. Complex in that spending the public's money in powerful, responsible
ways is a sacred task--as is working to put funding to work in ways that move students forward,
build a stronger workforce and best serve the needs of our entire city and region.
As we work to build 2015-2016 academic and fiscal year plans, we do so understanding this
complexity. We do so by being prudent, as well as, strategic, and keep the following "must do's" in
mind:
● maintaining the staffing levels we need to serve a diverse student body in ways thatpromote rigor and high achievement;
● increase staffing dedicated to the mental health and behavioral needs of our most atrisk elementary students in the position of adjustment counselors;
● working to provide top quality Career and Technical Education opportunities for thegood of our students and the employers in our community;
● investing in technologies that help us work, teach and learn more effectively andefficiently;
● reducing the achievement gap between our highest performing students and those whoaspire to higher levels of achievement.
These priorities fight against other needs such as increasing utility costs, the need to make the
second payment for our new fleet of safe buses and the care and upkeep of aging buildings. As
always in budget development, striking the balance between immediate needs and financia
realities will be the real work--as is trying to move forward in times that make simply standing stil
difficult.
Thank you for being part of this important and difficult work.
Yours in education,
Jason P. McCandless
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Budget Process Timeline
July August September October November December January February March April May June
Student ActivityExternal
Audit
CompleteEnd of YearReport and
Submit toDESE
Annual External Audit
End of YearReport
External
Audit
SC FinanceSubcommittee
Meeting
FinalExpenditureReport to SC
BudgetWorkshop and
Line Item Budget
Six monthBudget
Projection toSC for
Acceptance
Seven monthBudget
Projection toSC
(informational)
Eight monthBudget
Projection to SC(informational)
Nine monthBudget
Projection to SCfor Acceptance
Ten monthBudget
Projection toSC
(informational)
Eleven moBudge
ProjectioSC
(informatio
Projections forEnrollment and
Grants
SC PublicHearing on
Budget
Budget Adoptionby SC
Books closCurrent Fi
Year
Approval ofBudget
Calendar
BudgetOverview
AdministrationRecommend-ations for Budget
Adoption
Public Heaat City Co
on Budg-----
Final Approf City Buby City Co
Previous Fiscal Year SC: School Committee Current Fiscal Year Next Fiscal Year
Annual Budget Processwith
Pittsfield School Committee
Fiscal Year Calendar: July 1st - June 30th
Monitoring of Accounts by Business Office
Work on required End ofYear Report for previous
Fiscal Year
Admin Prep for next Fiscal Year Budgetcontinues:
- Budget Meetings with School Principalsand Leadership Team
Admin Prep for next Fiscal Year Budgetbegins
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School Committee Budget Calendar
February March April May JuneDecember
May 1Charter Requirement
School Committee approval of BudgetNo Later
than
June 1
Meeting with City Council
---------------
Mayor to City Council forJoint Budget Hearing
*Finance Subcommittee meeting dates to be determined.
December 10Regular Meeting
Budget Preview Date
Apr 8Public Hearing -Regular Meeting
(following)
SchoolCommittee
Recommenda-tions for
BudgetAdoption
Mar 11Regular Meeting
Budget Overview
Mar 25Regular Meeting
BudgetWorkshop &
Line Item
Budget
Feb 25Regular Meeting
EnrollmentProjections
& Grants
Apr 29Regular Meeting
FY16 BudgetAdoption
Pittsfield School Committee2016 Budget Calendar*
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The Big PictureOur Mission: To serve our communi ty and i ts chi ldr en by creat ing a school
environ ment where l i felong l earnin g is valued, excel lence is expected, and
improvement is cont i nuous; t o meet the needs of each student by provid ing the
informat ion, encouragement, support , and instruct i on required to meet or t o
exceed the dist r ic t ’s h igh expectat ions and r igorous academic demands; t o
prepare every student for po stsecon dary education, career sat isfact i on, and
l i fe long economic, socia l , and c iv ic s uccess.
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Revenue Summary by Fund FY11 - FY15
Actual Actual Actual ActualOriginalBudget
FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 2015
General $57,552,586 $58,658,876 $59,592,950 $62,063,045 $62,843,259 *
Revolving $1,603,661 $1,808,483 $1,868,199 $2,636,566 $2,611,700
State Grants $1,162,651 $1,182,951 $1,354,544 $1,429,832 $1,493,237Federal Grants $7,049,484 $6,651,098 $4,547,688 $5,871,281 $6,199,052
Food Services $2,498,115 $2,595,999 $2,234,736 $2,885,625 $2,750,000
Student Activities $334,863 $314,952 $293,308 $509,528 $325,000
Total $70,201,360 $71,212,359 $69,891,425 $75,395,876 $76,222,248 *
Expense Summary by Fund FY11 – FY15
Actual Actual Actual ActualOriginalBudget
FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015
General $51,248,489 $52,998,920 $53,250,757 $55,697,123 $62,843,259 *
Revolving $1,314,429 $1,568,163 $1,910,245 $2,281,660 $2,611,700
State Grants $1,208,612 $1,188,307 $1,370,337 $1,546,675 $1,493,237
Federal Grants $6,305,515 $7,391,154 $5,519,283 $5,712,597 $6,199,052
Food Services $2,378,207 $2,506,909 $2,594,604 $2,600,866 $2,750,000
Student Activities $295,000 $305,000 $320,000 $265,991 $325,000
Total $62,750,252 $65,958,453 $64,965,226 $68,104,912 $76,222,248 *
*Above figures include summer instructional payroll and accounts payable expenses paid after close of the fiscal year
$0
$10,000,000
$20,000,000
$30,000,000
$40,000,000
$50,000,000
$60,000,000
$70,000,000
$80,000,000
$90,000,000
FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 2015
Actual Actual Actual Actual Original
Budget
Revenue Expenditures
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History of Budget Staffing Levels and CostsLocal Budget and Education Jobs Grant only – Does not inc lude other grants
Function FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15
Total Staffing FTE 871.85 874.50 900.50 950.90 937.40 933.75 973.25 935.75 953.35 951.3
Instructional 720.10 720.25 744.25 782.25 769.50 765.85 803.35 770.15 788.65 785.6
Other School Services
(Bus Op and Attendance) 77.00 79.00 79.00 90.40 90.40 91.40 93.40 93.10 92.20 92.2
Custodial 58.25 58.75 58.75 58.75 58.00 56.00 55.00 52.00 52.00 53.0
Central Administration 16.50 16.50 18.50 19.50 19.50 20.50 21.50 20.50 20.50 20.5
Total Cost of Wages $38,252,143 $39,161,228 $41,279,754 $43,754,566 $44,267,466 $44,950,604 $45,917,029 $46,713,363 $48,073,192 $49,397,644
including revolving account FTEs
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Budget PrioritiesThe Pittsfield Public Schools Leadership Team has identified two budget priorities for the fiscal year
2016 budget: School Adjustment Counselors and creation of a Behavioral Support Team. The goal of
both of these budget priorities is to provide additional emotional and social supports to students. This
goal promotes the education and learning of all students in the Pittsfield Public Schools.
School Adjustment Counselors
$280K adds 4.0 FTEs
The emotional, behavioral and social support needs of the student population are increasing at a
significant rate. This significant increase in the mental health needs of students profoundly impacts their
ability and availability to learn. Without needed support services, it also impacts the ability of other
students to learn due to the disruption to the classroom and school environment that occurs with
students with high levels of emotional, social and behavioral needs. The addition of four full time
school adjustment counselors will provide augmented services in the schools and programs that are
most in need of this critical support.
The requests from principals for school adjustment counselors are to provide additional support across
both the general and special education population. More students need services; they need more
frequent service and also more intensive services. Historically, a much higher percentage of generaleducation students are on the caseloads of school adjustment counselors. School adjustment
counselors provide services at multiple systemic levels—facilitating school-wide prevention and
intervention planning; providing groups to targeted at-risk students, as well as, individualized services
to students and families. As needs and volume increase, it becomes more difficult to provide adequate
intervention services with the number of school adjustment counselors currently employed by the
district. Currently school adjustment counselors provide services to students individually and in groups,
as well as consulting with educators and administrators about strategies to support students in the
classroom and school.
Some of these increases in frequency and acuity of student needs are related to rising poverty levels
within the student population. Students are impacted by the stresses associated with poverty and thereis well-researched evidence of the impact of poverty on learning and healthy development. We see
increased needs of student experiencing anxiety, depression, family disruption and violence, trauma,
substance abuse and suicidal thoughts and attempts. These mental health, family and community
problems have a profound impact in schools. Providing additional supports at schools will assist
students who need extra support and also reduce disruptions within the classroom. As a district,
providing additional supports will also help to serve students within the district, in the least restrictive
environment, as opposed to more costly out of district tuition placements.
Behavioral Support Team
$7.8K Trains 12 Paraprofessionals as Registered Behavior Technicians
Behavioral needs for students in both special and general education continue to grow. The district has
consulted with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to assist the district with staff training,
consultation, functional assessment, behavior plan development and monitoring for the past three
years. In collaboration with the BCBA, the district has provided general education and training for
paraprofessionals, as well as, more focused instruction for special education staff and specialists. To
date there has been a great deal of success but challenges still remain as students continue to
struggle. The purpose of the strategic plan for behavior supports is to create a system of trained
professionals to assist in both general and educational settings with an overarching supervision
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structure to assure integrity of assessments, plan development, and implementation. Focus will be
placed on the district’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to improve behavioral supports, thus
improving educational efficacy. Specific and measureable goals will be developed within the identified
strategic planning team along with regularly scheduled follow up meetings on an action plan to meet
each specified goal.
Goal:
Creation of a behavioral team to include Registered Behavior Technicians, school specialists, and a
Board Certified Behavior Analyst consultant. A Registered Behavior Technician is a paraprofessionalwho completes 40 hours of training and passes a skill based competency assessment with a Board
Certified Behavior Analyst. This is a relatively new credential established by the Behavior Analyst
Certification Board. The role of a Registered Behavior Technician is to assist with behavioral
assessment and procedures under the supervision of a BCBA. A Registered Behavior Technician can
provide direct service to teachers which include preliminary assessment techniques, establishment of
data collection systems, and providing feedback regarding behavior plan implementation of classroom
management strategies. Specific areas of expertise addressed in the credentialing process include
measurement, skill acquisition, assessment, behavior reduction, documentation and reporting, and
ethics. The plan includes training one Registered Behavior Technician for each school.
Addi tional Budget Obligat ionsIn addition to personnel cost increases, the district is facing a number of significant additional budget
obligations as we plan for fiscal year 2016.
Bus Payments
$370K
The district purchased new buses at the start of the 2014-2015 school year. Payment for the 43 new
buses, after the trade in value, totals $2,760,194.75. The school district paid the vendor directly a total
of $570,000 in FY15 thereby reducing the outstanding cost of the buses to $2,190,194.75. As of this
writing the city has not borrowed for the outstanding cost of the bus, but the anticipated payment is
approximately $570,000 per year for four additional years, FY16 through FY19, to make the paymentsfor the buses in full.
In FY15 the district appropriated $200K from the operating budget and utilized $370K in revenue from
the transportation revolving account to make the $570K payment. Funds in the transportation revolving
account had built up over a number of years for the purpose of a bus replacement plan. Under the
repayment plan, the district needs to appropriate an additional $370K out of the operating budget to
fully fund the bus replacement plan at $570K per year.
Federal E-rate Funding Program Change
$35K
The federal e-rate program is undergoing a major change that will affect the district’s funding for FY16. As part of a policy change, the federal program is focusing on providing internet services to schools and
eliminating funding for traditional telephone services, web hosting services and mandated email
archiving. The Pittsfield Public Schools has taken advantage of e-rate funding for internet services for
many years, but will see a reduction of $35K in funding for traditional telephone, web hosting and email
archiving services. The operating budget appropriation for these utilities will increase by $35K in FY16
to fund telephone services, websites and email archiving for the schools.
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Utility Rate Increases
$108K for Electricity
Pittsfield Public Schools contracted with Great Eastern Energy in October 2014 for the supply of
electricity for a period of 24 months beginning in December 2014. The rate for this new contract is
.10271 per kilowatt hour (kWh). The FY15 budget included a slightly lower supply rate assumption of
.10 per kWh for half of the year. The district will need to increase the electricity budget by $108,000 in
the FY16 budget to cover the increased supply costs for the full year. Electricity supply usage in the
district decreased over the past few years. This projected figure may change during the budget processbased on the latest information on the district’s supply usage.
$422K for Natural Gas
The district’s contract for the supply of natural gas with Hess expires in October 2015. Our current
supply rate is quite low at $0.6074 per therm. While we have enjoyed the low supply rates for the past
few years, as has been highlighted in the news, the cost of natural gas is going up and the supply rate
next year is anticipated to be much higher, between $0.9 and $1.0 per therm. Based on the current
supply usage and a rate of $0.9 per therm, the district will need to increase the natural gas budget by
$422,000 in FY16. This projected figure may change as we move through the budget process, based
on updated supply usage and projections as well as more information on projected supply rates.
Increased Special Education Tuition Costs
$1.022M
The district experienced a significant increase in the number and intensity of students who are placed in
out of district special education programs. The changes in this account are coming from three areas:
new students are entering out of district special ed placements; students already in placements are
moving to more intensive and therefore more expensive placements; and new students from outside of
the district or state with an existing individualized education program (IEP) for whom the district is now
fiscally responsible. The growth in this area is a reflection of the more intensive needs that we are
seeing in the students in our district.
To put this tuition growth in context, Pittsfield still educates a larger percentage of our specialeducation students within the district as compared to other districts around the state. In budgetterms, in FY13 Pittsfield spent 4% of total district funds in out of district special education tuitionwhile the state average is 7%. Even with the growth that the district is seeing in FY15 and FY16,Pittsfield will spend approximately 5% on out of district special education tuitions, still well belowthe state average of 7%.
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Capital Improvement Requests – Schools
$1.575M
The city’s Building Maintenance Department submits a budget to the Mayor’s office annually for capital
expenditure items related to school buildings. The chart below details City Maintenance requests for
FY16. In addition to the items included below, school principals have submitted an itemized list totaling
over 100 additional building maintenance items. Final items to be funded will be determined as part of
the city’s capital budget review and approval process.
SUMMARY OF FY16 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REQUESTS
Department: B uilding Maintenance - SchoolsM.Dean 01/14/15
Project Location and Narrative Cost Estimate
1Environmental - Abatements 50,000$
2Security & Safety Upgrades 50,000$
3PHS Boiler #2 Retubing 70,000$
4 Crosby Boiler #2 Replacement250,000$
5 Crosby Window ReplacementTBD
6Schools Black Top & Sidewalk repairs 100,000$
7PHS Handicap Ramp & Air Intake Repairs 300,000$
8Mercer Boiler Replacement 75,000$
9PHS Auditori um Upgrades 200,000$
10Special Ed Room Upgrades (rubber floor s) - awaiting schoo l dept specs 50,000$
11 Morningside carpet removal & replace with ti le (22,752 sq ft) 130,000$
12PHS Hot water Recirculating Line 65,000$
13Herberg Gym Floor - Refinish 35,000$
14Crosby Clock/PA System Replacement 70,000$
15Conte Carpet Removal and Replace with Tile 130,000$
Hibbard School Renovations TBD
Total 1,575,000$
APPROVED Total -$
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Organizational Section
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School Committee
Superintendent of Schools
DeputySuperintendent
,sl oohc S c i l buP d l ei f st t i P
Pittsfield Massachusetts
Administrative Organizaton Chart 2015
AssistantSuperintendent for
Business and Finance
AssistantSuperintendent of
Career and TechnicalEducation
City Hall Administration
Career and VocationalTechnical Educators
Athletic Director
Director of SpecialEducation
Director of Technology
Student ServicesFacilitator
Director of FoodServices
Director ofTransportation Services
Director of CustodialServices
Business Office
f or otcer iDHuman Resources
Coord. ofAttendance
AlternativeEducationPrograms
Director ofTitle I
Dir. of AdultBasic
Education
CurriculumCoordinators
School NurseLeader
Coord. ofTutors
Coord ofEnglish for
Speakers ofOther
Languages
21st CenturyProgram
Coordinator
picnir PHig
MiddEleme
Organizational Chart
18 The Deputy Superintendent of Schools is second in command in the school system and automatically assumes the authority and responsibility of the Superintendent in his absence.
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District Facili ties—Elementary Schools
Al lendale Elementary
Address: 180 Connecticut Avenue
Year Built: 1951 10.9 acres
Addition: 1999
Square Footage: 48,133
FY 2015 Enrollment: 318Principal: Brenda Kelley
Capeless Elementary
Address: 86 Brooks Avenue
Year Built: 1951 7.9 acres
Addition: 2001
Square Footage: 38,654
FY 2015 Enrollment: 236
Principal: Candy Jezewski
Conte Community School
Address: 200 West Union Street
Year Built: 1974 15.0 acres
Square Footage: 69,518
FY 2015 Enrollment: 373
Principal: Kerry Light
Crosby Elementary
Address: 517 West Street
Year Built: 1962 37.5 acres
Square Footage: 69,826
FY 2015 Enrollment: 419
Principal: Donna Baker
Egremont Elementary
Address: 84 Egremont Avenue
Year Built: 1951 10.6 acres
Addition: 1999
Square Footage: 63,879
FY 2015 Enrollment: 515
Principal: Judy Rush
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District Facili ties—Elementary & Middle Schools
Morningside Community School
Address: 100 Burbank Street
Year Built: 1975 5.4 acres
Square Footage: 69,654
FY 2015 Enrollment: 485
Principal: Jennifer Stokes, Interim
Stearns Elementary
Address: 75 Lebanon Avenue
Year Built: 1961 9.5 acres
Addition: 2001
Square Footage: 40,343
FY 2015 Enrollment: 233
Principal: Aaron Dean
Williams Elementary
Address: 50 Bushey Road
Year Built: 1957 11.9 acres
Multiple additions—latest: 2001
Square Footage: 48,337
FY 2015 Enrollment: 334
Principal: Lisa Buchinski
Herberg Middle School
Address: 501 Pomeroy Ave.
Year Built: 1953 21.0 acres
Addition: 2000
Square Footage: 107,640
FY 2015 Enrollment: 632
Principal: Gina Coleman, Ph.D.
Reid Middle School Address: 950 North Street
Year Built: 1953 26.8 acres
Addition: 2000
Square Footage: 115,036
FY 2015 Enrollment: 519
Principal: Dennis Carr, Interim
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District Facilities—High Schools & Other Facili ties
Pittsfield High School
Address: 300 East Street
Year Built: 1931 8.7 acres
Addition: 1975
Square Footage: 203,051
FY 2015 Enrollment: 927Principal: Matthew Bishop
Taconic High School
Address: 96 Valentine Road
Year Built: 1969 50.0 acres
Square Footage: 189,686
FY 2015 Enrollment: 775
Principal: John Vosburgh
Adul t Learning Center
Address: 141 North Street
Leased Space: 2013
Square Footage: 10,000
FY 2015 Enrollment: 103
Director: Paul Gage
Mercer Administration Build ing
Address: 269 First Street
Year Built: 1905 .90 acres
Square Footage: 17,653
Superintendent: Dr. Jason P. McCandless
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District Facilit ies—Other Facilities
Note: Square footage quoted for each building is from valuation records with the City.
Hibbard Stockroom
Address: 280 Newell Street
Year Built: 1924 1.8 acres
Square Footage: 31,519
Director: James Larrow
Cafeteria Services at Taconic High School
Address: 96 Valentine Road
Director: Sylvana Bryan
Bus Operations
Address: 442 Merrill Road
Leased Space
Square Footage: 10,000
Director: Susan Donnelly-Wendling
Student Resource Center
Address: 7 Whipple Street
Square Footage: 6,200
Jointly Managed with Berkshire County
Sheriff’s Office
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Enrollment Section
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Enrollment Data
Enrollment Trends by Elementary School Grade Level
Enrollment Trends by Middle School Grade Level
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Enrollment Trends by High School Grade Level
Total Enrol lment by Race
Pittsfield Public Schools Total Enrollment by Race October 1, 2014
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Long Term Trends in Enrollment
1 9 8 2
1 9 8 3
1 9 8 4
1 9 8 5
1 9 8 6
1 9 8 7
1 9 8 8
1 9 8 9
1 9 9 0
1 9 9 1
1 9 9 2
1 9 9 3
1 9 9 4
1 9 9 5
1 9 9 6
1 9 9 7
1 9 9 8
1 9 9 9
2 0 0 0
2 0 0 1
2 0 0 2
2 0 0 3
2 0 0 4
2 0 0 5
2 0 0 6
2 0 0 7
2 0 0 8
2 0 0 9
2 0 1 0
2 0 1 1
2 0 1 2
2 0 1 3
2 0 1 4
S t a t e T o t a l s
P i t t s f i e
l d E n r o l l m e n t b y
G r a d e S p a n
Long Term Trends in Enrollment
Pittsfield and State Totals
K-6 7-8 9-12 State Totals
Long Term Enrollment Trends. Statistical Comparisons - School Finance. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 3
Dec. 2014.
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10 Year History – Free/Reduced Lunch
6472 63526234
6120 6072 5978 5985 5992 5883 5744
2627 25752713
28173015
32683302 3385 3276
3752
40.59% 40.54%
43.52%46.03%
49.65%
54.67% 55.17%
56.49%55.69%
65.32%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
District Enrollment as pf
October 1 each year as
reported by DESE
Number of Students
Receiving Free/Reduced
Lunch as of 10/31 of each
year as reported by FoodServices Dept.*
% Free/Reduced Lunch
Year
*Note: Free/Reduced Lunch in
2006 is as of May
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Enrollment Projections
Grade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Sections Class Size
Anticipated
FY 16
Enrollment
Sect ions Class Size
K 52 3 17.3 45 3 15.0
1 49 3 16.3 52 3 17.3
2 57 3 19.0 48 3 16.0
3 55 3 18.3 58 3 19.3
4 55 3 18.3 55 3 18.3
5 50 3 16.7 54 3 18.0
Total 318 312
Grade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Sections Class Size
Anticipated
FY 16
Enrollment
Sect ions Class Size
K 33 2 16.5 29 2 14.5
1 37 2 18.5 33 2 16.5
2 30 2 15.0 37 2 18.5
3 38 2 19.0 30 2 15.0
4 34 2 17.0 38 2 19.0
5 45 2 22.5 34 2 17.0
Integrated
PreK19
2 half-day
sessions9.5 20
2 half-day
sessions 10.0
Total 236 221
Allendale Elementary School
Capeless Elementary School
Class Size Guidelines:
Grades K-3 18 Students/Class
Grades 4 and 5 22 Students/Class
NAEYC Kindergarten 1:12 Adults/Students
Quality Kindergarten Grant 1:10 Adults/Students
MS/HS Academic Courses 1:24 Adults/Students
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Grade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Sections Class Size
Anticipated
FY 16
Enrollment
Sections Class Size
PreK 28 2 14.0 32 2 16
K 82 4 20.5 72 4 18.0
1 56 4 14.0 82 4 20.5
2 53 3 17.7 56 3 18.7
3 42 3 14.0 53 3 17.74 45 3 15.0 42 3 14.0
5 57 3 19.0 45 3 15.0
Transitional
Kindergarten10 1 10.0 10 1 10.0
*Head Start 17 1 17.0 17 1 17.0
Total 373 392
Grade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Sections Class Size
Anticipated
FY 16
Enrollment
Sections Class Size
K 52 3 17.3 45 3 15.0
1 37 3 12.3 52 3 17.3
2 61 4 15.3 37 2 18.5
3 43 3 14.3 61 4 15.3
4 37 2 18.5 43 3 14.3
5 35 2 17.5 37 2 18.5
Substantially
Separate 79 8 9.9 90 8 11.3Substantially
Separate
PreK 75 7 10.7 75 7 10.7
Total 419 440
* These students are not included in state reporting.
Conte Community School
Crosby Elementary School
3 Therapeutic
K Developmental
1 Developmental
2-3 Developmental
4-5 Int. Impaired
3-4 Psychol-Linguistic
K-1 Therapeutic
2 Therapeutic
Half-day Regular Education
3 Half-day Programs
Half-day Special Education
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Grade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Sections Class Size
Anticipated
FY 16
Enrollment
Sections Class Size
K 81 4 20.3 71 4 17.8
1 78 4 19.5 81 4 18.5
2 87 4 21.8 78 4 23.5
3 87 4 21.8 87 4 21.2
4 89 4 22.3 87 4 22.25 81 4 20.3 89 4 20.2
Intellectually
Impaired12 1 12.0 12 1 12
Total 515 505
Grade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Sections Class Size
Anticipated
FY 16
Enrollment
Sections Class Size
PreK 33 2 16.5 32 2 16K 62 4 15.5 54 4 13.5
1 75 4 18.8 62 4 15.5
2 83 3 27.7 75 3 25.0
3 70 4 17.5 83 4 20.8
4 75 4 18.8 70 4 17.5
5 76 3 25.3 75 3 25.0
Therapeutic
4/511* 2 5.5 12 2 6.0
Total 485 463
Grade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Sections Class Size
Anticipated
FY 16
Enrollment
Sections Class Size
K 44 2 38.0 38 2 19.0
1 36 2 18.0 44 2 22.0
2 29 2 14.5 36 2 18.0
3 34 2 17.0 29 2 14.5
4 39 2 19.5 34 2 17.0
5 32 2 16.0 39 2 19.5Substantially
Separate19 2 9.5 19 2 9.5
Total 233 239
Morningside Community School
*Numb er as of February 1, 2014
Stearns Elementary School
Egremont Elementary School
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Grade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Sections Class Size
Anticipated
FY 16
Enrollment
Sections Class Size
K 60 3 20.0 53 3 17.7
1 49 3 16.3 60 3 20.0
2 64 3 21.3 49 3 16.3
3 50 3 16.7 64 3 21.3
4 53 3 17.7 50 3 16.75 58 3 19.3 53 3 17.7
Total 334 329
Grade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Anticipated FY
16 Enrol lmentGrade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Ant icipated
FY 16
Enrollment
6 213 215 6 183 188
7 216 213 7 167 189
8 203 216 8 169 160Total 632 644 Total 519 537
Grade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Anticipated FY
16 Enrol lmentGrade
FY 15
Enrollment
10/1/14
Ant icipated
FY 16
Enrollment
9 221 203 9 193 169
10 252 221 10 221 193
11 222 252 11 168 221
12 232 222 12 193 168
Total 927 898 Total 775 751
Reid Middle School
Taconic High SchoolPittsfield High School
Will iams Elementary School
Herberg Middle School
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Programs & Services
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Educational Programs
Curriculum
Reading
Pittsfield Public Schools offers extensive reading services that include core instruction and intervention
for students in grades pre K-8. All elementary and middle schools have a certified reading specialist on
staff. As of the start of the 2014-2015 school year, all elementary schools have a new core program,
Pearson Reading Street. Pearson Reading Street offers teachers a comprehensive set of resourcesthat links with state standards and offers opportunities for differentiation and use of technology that is
interactive and engaging for all students. The district also offers to all elementary students Lexia Core5
Reading, a technology based learning tool that supports students with reading skills development. Many
staff in the district are Wilson trained to offer more intensive intervention for students. Our middle
schools offer a variety of reading services including an online program, “Virtual Reading Coach”, that
provides explicit and in-depth reading instruction. The program is adaptive and offers an individualized
learning experience that enables students to advance their reading skills.
Humanities
English: The English curriculum is based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework and addresses
the need for students to be engaged in rigorous reading, discussions, and research, as well as the abilityto apply their skills to new, independent learning. Each grade has some common required readings for
all students, as well as choices for each quarter; students read a variety of classic, modern and multi-
cultural literature. At the secondary level, students engage in rigorous argument and informative writing
assignments; they incorporate their narrative writing skills effectively into their writing. They use the
writing process of gathering their ideas, and then writing and revising drafts. During 2014-15 we are
working with high school teachers to develop common vocabulary lists so that students in each grade
learn 100 words (beyond those encountered in their reading) that will help them improve their reading,
writing, speaking and listening skills. Grades 6-8 vocabulary lists will be developed soon. At the high
schools, both AP Literature and AP Language are offered for our students.
History/Social Studies: The history and social studies curriculum is drawn from the Massachusetts
Frameworks for History and Social Studies as well as the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for
Literacy, which support the reading and writing skills needed in these subject areas. Elementary
students study specific historical events as well as Massachusetts and North American history. At the
middle schools, students study world geography, the continents, cultures, and world history. The district
is looking into developing a specific civics course for our middle school students. High school history
students engage in two years of United States History and at least one of World History. High school
students can take AP courses in European, World, and United States History, as well as, Psychology,
Government and Policies.
Math and Science
Pittsfield Public Schools provides a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
educational program that is aligned with the current state Frameworks and strives to enable all students
to be successful as students and future citizens in these fields. The study of mathematics, K-5, is
supported at each school with a math coach or math interventionist. The secondary schools
mathematics program prepares all students to meet the college and career readiness standards by
grade twelve, and also offers Advanced Placement studies in calculus and statistics. Science studies
beginning in kindergarten, are supported by elementary science specialists, and continue throughout a
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student’s academic career. Both high schools offer various Advanced Placement science courses
including AP biology, chemistry, physics and environmental science.
English Language LearnersThe Pittsfield Public Schools serves 327 students designated as English Language Learners (ELL)
across grades K-12. The following chart details the number of students by grade and the wide variety of
primary languages of ELL students and their families. In addition to providing ELL instruction, the
Pittsfield Public Schools provides translation and interpretation services to families of ELL students, as
required by law, for parent meetings and documents related to a student’s education. The mostcommon primary language of ELL students is Spanish, but there are also a number of speakers of
Chinese and French languages.
See Graph on Next Page
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First Languages of Engli sh Language Learners (ELLs)
(As of January 2015)
History of English Language Learners (ELLs)
Students whose primary language is not English are only designated as ELL students for the period of time
that they require specialized instruction or support in learning English. Once students become proficient in
academic English, they are no longer counted as ELL students; therefore, the count of ELL students include
only those students who are receiving English language education instructional supports at a given time.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Vietnamese
Urdu
Turkish
Spanish
Russian
Portuguese
Other
Dialects
Gujarati
French
Creole
(Haitian)
Chinese
Number of Students
G r a d e L e v e l
L a n g u a g e s
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Although students “test out” of requiring ELL instruction, the number of ELL students in the Pittsfield Public
Schools has risen significantly since 2002. The chart below details this growth.
Additionally, Pittsfield Public Schools has experienced a steady increase of Students with Interrupted Formal
Education (SIFE) ELL students. SIFE students are identified through academic transcript review and
interviews with family members upon registration. Characteristics of SIFE students are the following:
• Enter a US School after the second grade• Have had at least two school years less than their peers• Function at least two years below expected grade level in reading and math• May be preliterate in their native tongue. (NYSED, 2013)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Pittsfield Public Schools
First Languages of English Language Learners (ELLs)
Receiving English Language Education (ELEs)
2002 - 2015 School Year History
Total
Number of
ELL
Students
School Year
N u m b e r o f S t u d e n t s
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Special EducationThe vision of the Special Education department is to minimize the disability and to maximize the
opportunities of Special Education students to receive a free and appropriate education in the least
restrictive environment. All students will have access to standards-based curriculum and will be
provided with research-based interventions to ensure that they graduate from high school and have
adequate transition plans. Special Education staff work with teachers, administrators and families to
ensure that Individual Education Programs (IEPs) are implemented with integrity.
As part of the goal of serving students in the least restrictive environment, Pittsfield Public Schools hasdeveloped a continuum of services and placements as detailed in the list below. Providing many of the
required services within the district has proven to be cost effective, as most services can be delivered
at a lower cost than if the same services were contracted to an outside agency.
• Early Childhood Pre-School Classes at Crosby Elementary and Capeless Elementary• Transitional self-contained class at Conte Community School• Resource Room Programs at all eight elementary schools and both middle schools and high
schools• Resource Suite Programs at Reid and Herberg Middle School• Psycholinguistic Class at Crosby Elementary
• Developmentally and Intellectually Impaired self-contained classes at Crosby, Egremont, andStearns Elementary Schools, and at Reid Middle School and Pittsfield High School
• Therapeutic self-contained classes at Morningside Community School and Crosby ElementarySchool
• Adolescent Support Program at Pittsfield High School for students with emotional disabilitiesand Department of Mental Health (DMH)Eligibility
• Educational Options for Success (EOS) Programs at Reid and Herberg Middle School• Tiers 1 and 2 at Reid Middle School• Tiers 1,2, 3 at Herberg Middle School• Educational Options for Success (EOS) Programs at Pittsfield High School and Taconic High
Schools (Tiers 1 and 2)• Educational Options for Success (EOS) Program at Student Resource Center (Tier 3)• Positive Options Program at Berkshire Community College• Career Exploratory program at Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School• Vocational programs at Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School• Work Study program at Pittsfield High School• Work Based Learning• Service Learning• Speech and Language services at all levels• Occupational Therapy services at all levels• Physical Therapy services at all levels• Services for Hearing and Visually Impaired students at all levels• School Adjustment Services at all levels
• Tutorial services at all levels
The services provided and placements made must be based on individual students’ needs and not on
what currently exists in the district. Special education services are mandated by state and federal law
under 603 CMR 28.05(7)(b) and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Some students
require services that are best provided at separate schools, such as private day or residential schools.
The district is responsible for the tuition and residential costs of such placements unless fiscal
responsibility is deemed to be shared with the state or another school district. The Special Education
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department annually files with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to receive
Circuit Breaker reimbursement for all high cost placements and services. For more information on this
reimbursement process, see the state revenue and revolving accounts section.
Career and Technical Education ProgramsThe Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said that the only thing that is constant is change. The proof of
that statement is very self-evident in our day-to-day lives. It is the rapidly evolving role of technology
that is one of the driving forces behind much of the change we experience each day. To compete in a
world where the economy and stable jobs rely on evolving technology, one has to be prepared. To give
our students that edge, Pittsfield Public Schools offers students twelve Career and Technical Education
programs that prepare them with training in technology and the skills needed to be successful when
competing in the job market.
In an effort to ensure our students are receiving an education that is meeting the high standards that
the state asks of all programs that are designated as Career and Technical Education programs, we
have changed as well. We are teaching to the latest curriculum frameworks. We are replacing dated
equipment with industry standard tools and practices, where needed. In order to give students the soft
skills that make them good employees, we have joined the Skills USA organization. We have added an
industry-recognized certification section to each program to demonstrate the students’ subject mastery. Additionally, to teach students to be more than just information retrievers, we are integrating more
technology into classrooms and the shops so that they will become information users.
Striving to make our programs relevant to local employers and throughout the region, each program
has an advisory committee that includes members of the business community. The involvement of
industry and business, guides and improves our programs. We work closely with post-secondary
institutions and include their representatives as members of our advisory committee so that our
students will be prepared for education beyond high school. We have developed several articulation
agreements with a number of post-secondary education programs and colleges and, in addition to their
technical studies; our students carry an academic load that is nearly identical to that of the college
preparatory students.
The CTE programs offered by the district are open to Pittsfield students as well as to other students
from our surrounding communities in Berkshire County. We have developed a relationship with the
surrounding districts and have worked closely with both education and civic leaders to promote the
options for many students who wish to enroll in a vocational technical program of studies. We look
forward to developing the workforce of tomorrow for Berkshire County.
Al ternati ve Educat ionThe Alternative Education programs offered by Pittsfield Public Schools are built upon the belief that all
students can learn and succeed in a variety of ways. We strive to offer programs that are in our
community’s best interest to provide students with the opportunities to develop the skills needed for
college and career readiness. Our Alternative Education offerings include programs that are both
district run and contracted with community providers that serve at-risk, vulnerable and disengaged
students. The goal of each program is to prepare students academically, socially and emotionally by
first meeting their immediate needs, and by then identifying alternative strategies to improve learning.
Approximately 800 students receive alternative education services that can include short-term
interventions like summer school and/or long-term placement into structured settings or programs.
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Students served may have characteristics that can range from having poor attendance, discipline
issues, failing grades or are credit deficient. Additionally, they may be in family crisis; referred for
assistance and do not qualify for special educational service; may have drug/alcohol abuse or
social/emotional/medical issues; or have poor peer relationships.
A variety of strategies and options are utilized by the Pittsfield Public Schools, including building-based
and offsite programs. These programs assist students through transition, suspension or tutoring,
provide students programs for special populations, credit recovery, in addition to providing an early
college model.
TechnologyThe Pittsfield Public School district is committed to preparing children for this rapidly changing world by
teaching them the skills they need to be proficient and safe users of information, media and technology.
We strive to engage students in meaningful curriculum content through the purposeful and effective use
of technology. Teachers are provided technology resources to assist them in creating lessons that
reflect the personal learning styles, needs, and interests of their students. Administrative efficiency
depends on technology. Functions within the district range from student information management,
transportation, food services and library systems; including personnel and health services , accounting
and payroll benefits being digital. Our investment in technology enables every member of the PittsfieldPublic School community to communicate, learn, share, collaborate and create; to think and solve
problems; to assist with managing their work and lives. More importantly, we see technology as both
the driver of an evolution in teaching and learning, and the means to achieve that innovation.
When implemented well, technology is virtually transparent—a tool used to improve learning.
Nevertheless, the infrastructure is essential towards meeting that goal, and the district has invested
accordingly:
• All teachers are issued a personal computing device• Every classroom in the district has both wired and wireless connectivity to the local network and
the Internet• All buildings have a high-speed, broadband connection to the Internet• Computer labs and/or mobile carts are available for student use in all schools• Every student and teacher has a local computer account and a district email account• Digital projectors are available in every school to enable computer shared content for
collaborative learning and exercises.
All teachers are given the opportunity and training to create a website for their classrooms. Simply
making technology available does not ensure that it will be used to maximum effect—support staff is as
critical as the hardware and software. The district has an 11-person Technology Department that
supports 14 buildings and networks, 7000 users, and nearly 6000 devices. A Help Desk is staffed full-
time to address questions promptly, resolve problems and repair equipment. The departmentencourages teacher innovation by offering professional development in after school workshops, during
in-service days, as online tutorials, and through classroom modeling.
Developing a long-range plan for educational technology is difficult if not impossible given the quickly
evolving nature of that technology. Nevertheless, we have a framework for moving forward that
includes:
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• Continued investment in technology to support teaching and learning—specifically establishinga fully funded renewal cycle
• Increased professional development opportunities for teachers—including an online self-pacedcurriculum for technology integration skills
• Progressive addition of mobile student computing devices as we move closer to a 1:1 model• Establishing “Innovation Classrooms” in every school that are equipped with cutting-edge
equipment that will offer teachers a laboratory for experimenting with tech integration
Education in the 21st century is a complex system, and in Pittsfield, technology will be the primary tool
in meeting that challenge.
School Technology Device Distribu tion
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Chromebooks
iPads
Mac Laptops
Mac Desktops
2.22.1
2.9
2.33.0
2.2
2.03.3
2.2 1.9
1.6
1.22014-15 Student Device Distribution(Reflects student to device average)
Graph includes all student devices currently in use, regardless of funding sources.
(This includes local operating budget, grants and private donations.)
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Computing Device Distribution
School M a c D e s k t o p s
M a c L a p t o p s
i P a d s C h r o m e b o o k s
# o f S t u d e n t D e v i c e s
# o f S t u d e n t s
S t u d e n t : D e v i c e R a t i o
T e a c h e r L a p t o p s
T e a c h e r i P a d
T e a c h e r
C h r o m e b o o k s
P C D e s k t o p s
P C L a p t o p s
S e r v e r s
T o t a l
Allendale 46 25 19 55 145 319 2.2 20 12 0 3 0 3 183
Capeless 35 3 0 75 113 235 2.1 14 12 3 3 0 3 148
Conte 60 26 0 50 136 391 2.9 36 9 0 2 0 3 186Crosby 51 24 0 108 183 428 2.3 39 17 7 3 0 3 252
Egremont 37 25 31 75 168 510 3.0 26 23 0 3 1 3 224
Morningside 38 25 0 150 213 479 2.2 34 6 5 5 0 3 266
Stearns 35 24 33 25 117 235 2.0 17 9 0 3 0 3 149
Williams 36 26 13 25 100 331 3.3 22 8 0 3 0 3 136
Herberg 52 79 16 143 290 629 2.2 57 20 2 3 0 2 374
Reid 38 54 10 174 276 514 1.9 58 21 0 3 0 2 360
PHS 213 25 267 75 580 927 1.6 93 40 1 6 0 4 724
Taconic 346 8 196 100 650 773 1.2 85 33 0 10 2 8 788
ALC 41 1 7 17 1 1 0 0 0 2 70
Mercer 27 53 2 2 0 23 5 19 6 43 180POP 0 8 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 13
Bus 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 14
1056 406 594 1079 502 234 23 79 9 85 4067
Projector Distribution
School M
o b i l e
M o u
n t e d
T o t a l
Allendale 7 1 8
Capeless 4 1 5
Conte 10 1 11
Crosby 3 1 4
Egremont 5 1 6
Morningside 4 1 5
Stearns 3 1 4
Williams 11 1 12
Herberg 51 0 51
Reid 31 0 31
PHS 26 27 53
Taconic 20 49 69
175 84 259
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Co-Curricular Programs
After School – 21st Century Programs
The Pittsfield Public Schools 21st Century Community Learning Centers Programs incorporates four
learning principles into its efforts – learning that is meaningful, collaborative, supports mastery, and
expands horizons. 21st Century programs are currently operating at four schools: Pittsfield High, Reid
Middle, Herberg Middle and Conte Community Schools.
Our programs support these principles by:
• Enabling young people to apply their academic skills to areas of interest and real worldproblems
• Promoting effective partnerships between schools, community-based agencies, and other publicand private entities
• Providing creative and innovative out-of-school time programs that give young people hands onproject-based learning experiences that stimulate curiosity and enhance critical thinking skills
• Creating opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills• Addressing the multiple needs of children, youth, and their families
These principles are well aligned with the 21st century learning skills and workforce skills that young
people will need to succeed in the years ahead.
Summer Programs
Each summer, Pittsfield Public Schools offers a variety of summer programs which serve approximately
1,300 students each year.
Programs include:
• Academic summer school at the middle and high school levels
• Transition programs for incoming 6th graders and 9th graders (high school freshmen)
• 21st Century Programs
• A work and learning program focusing on tutoring, employment and job readiness
• Adolescent Support Program• Community Partnership for Student Success
• Academic Enrichment for English Language Learners (ELL) students
• Programming at Crosby, Conte, Morningside Schools
• Summer Special Education programs
• Camp Vision for visually impaired students
• Summer pre-school program
• Tryouts and practice for fall athletic teams and summer athletic conditioning
Since 2011, grants and the district budget have supported summer school so there has been no charge
to PPS students to participate. Summer programs include bussing, breakfast and lunch whenever
applicable.
In addition, the district operates a federally funded summer food program that serves free breakfast and
lunch to children in the community at four open sites in the City of Pittsfield. In 2014, Pittsfield Public
Schools Food Services served an average of 789 lunches and 314 breakfasts per day during the
summer.
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Athlet icsPittsfield Public Schools offers the widest selection of varsity sports of any district in Berkshire County.
A total of 16 different sports are offered, including many programs with junior varsity level teams, as
well as varsity teams. There are 11 sports offered for girls, 11 sports offered for boys, and four co-
educational teams (ice hockey, golf, tennis, and wrestling).
Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School field a combined 60+ teams each school year, with the
goal of enriching the educational experience and enhancing educational goals of student athletes by
providing activities that offer lifelong and life quality learning experiences. The highest participationrates traditionally include the football, swimming and track programs.
Student athletic programs are funded through the district operating budget and student fees that fund
the athletic revolving account. The operating budget funds the athletic director and coaches’ salaries,
athletic transportation through the district’s bus operations department, and rental fees for the ice
hockey and swim teams. The city budget supports athletic programs with field maintenance and
preparation through the city buildings and grounds maintenance department. All other costs are funded
through the athletic revolving account, including replacement safety equipment, Berkshire County and
other league fees, game officials, medical coverage, event management, and police security presence
at games. Athletic teams receive significant financial support for uniform replacement and additional
equipment through booster clubs for individual teams.
Adult Learning Center Programs and ServicesPittsfield’s Adult Learning Center is the largest provider of Adult Basic Education and English for
Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs in Berkshire County. Since 1976, the Adult Learning
Center has been offering free education classes for adults that have either not completed their high
school education or speak English with limited proficiency. The main funding for these programs comes
from Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) grants and matching
funds from the Pittsfield Public Schools.
Currently the Adult Learning Center offers 17 classes through both day and evening schedules.
Approximately 190 students participate in the Adult Learning Center programs.
In FY16, it is expected that enrollment will increase by 15% (See FY16 Projected Enrollment).
Overall, fifty students graduated in FY14 by either passing the HiSet Exam (formerly GED exam) or
completing the requirements for the Adult Diploma Program and another 60 students were able to
make at least one Grade Level Equivalent (GLE) or Student Performance Level (SPL) gain during the
year. Based on the FY14 ESE Performance Standards Learning Gains Report, the ABE program
achieved an Advanced rating while ESOL program was considered at the Meets Standard level.
Operational Services
School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
All Pittsfield Public Schools participate in the national school lunch and breakfast program. The
programs serve an average of 5,579 meals per day. The schools’ food service program serves
students and staff. Current prices are $2.00 for lunch and $0.75 for breakfast for student meals and
$3.50 for lunch and $1.50 for breakfast for adult meals. In addition to the paid meal prices, the school
food service program receives state and federal reimbursement revenue for each meal served. The
charts below detail the current reimbursement rates.
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Lunch Reimbursement Rates
State Share Federal Share Total
Paid $.0575 $0.34 $0.3975
Reduced $.0575 $2.64 $2.6975
Free $.0575 $3.04 $3.0975
Breakfast Reimbursement Rates Federal Non Severe Need Or Federal Severe Need
Paid $0.28 $0.28
Reduced $1.32 $1.63
Free $1.62 $1.93
NOTE: Schools qualify for one reimbursement rate either severe or non-severe
depending on percentage of free/reduced students in school.
School food service programs are required to follow detailed nutritional guidelines in order to qualify for
state and federal reimbursement. The recent Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 was fully
implemented during school year, 2012-2013. The new federal requirements increased the amount ofwhole grains, fruits and vegetables that must be s