The Berkshire Eagle by Clarence Fanto on January 7, 2025
LENOX — Schools Superintendent William Collins is doubling down on a list of priorities involving the physical and emotional safety of students.
Updating the School Committee at its televised December meeting on his second-year goals, he emphasized a team effort led by Principal Jeremiah Ames at Lenox Memorial Middle and High and Principal Brenda Kelley at Morris Elementary.
Collins acknowledged that the goal of making the schools a "brave and safe space, a sense of belonging for students, statt, and families," is not a destination but a journey, with work still to be done.
Referring to an assessment of the school district’s two buildings, he cited “a whole list of things to be done to harden the physical structures, to make them safe” through a school culture that reflects belonging.
“When people feel that they belong, that they’re in a safe space, they operate better, whether you’re an adult or a student,” Collins said.
Specifics detailed by Collins include:
• A “behavioral threat assessment team” through a “Homeland Security trained facilitator,” with Lenox among the first districts in Massachusetts to undergo the training.
• His participation in Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association committee meetings focusing on school safety and security, behavioral threats and violence risk assessments. “Some facts are alarming, and with others, we’re ahead of the curve,” said Collins.
• Building safety upgrades to be budgeted based on physical audits, with findings not made public “because we don’t want the bad guys to know what our strengths and weaknesses are,” the superintendent noted.
• Two-way radios for the staff in both school buildings and in Collins’ office.
• Reinforced entryway glass that slows down anyone trying to force their way into a school building so there’s enough time for nearby Lenox police to arrive.
• Upgraded crisis-preparedness drills with public safety officials evaluating the results.
Among his multi-year instruction and curriculum goals, Collins described the importance of Morris Elementary's Principal Brenda Kelley's promotion to the newly created position of Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for the entire school district.
He also pointed to an effort by assistant principals to ease the transition from elementary to middle school for students and teachers.
Collins described progress toward a “coherent and viable curriculum with rigor and relevance,” especially at Morris Elementary and in the humanities department at the middle and high schools.
“We’re looking to make sure that happens everywhere, and I’m not in any way criticizing other areas,” said Collins.
He also stressed efforts to make the schools relevant for all students by recognizing non-academic and non-athletic achievements and increasing opportunities for alternatives to college, such as business, trade school or the military.