FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pittsfield Public Schools Announces Public Hearing on Proposed Middle‑Grade Restructuring

Date: June 11, 2025 Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: City Hall Chambers, 70 Allen Street, Pittsfield, MA

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pursuant to School Committee Policy SC-64 Policy for Redistricting of Schools, which guarantees the community a formal opportunity to comment on any proposed change that significantly affects school attendance zones, the Pittsfield Public Schools (PPS) School Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

The purpose of this hearing is to gather input from parents, students, staff, and other residents regarding a proposal to restructure middle‑grade education into two grade spans: Grades 5–6 and Grades 7–8. If approved, the plan would modify current school attendance zones, which now assign students to a middle school based strictly on home address.

Key Points of the Proposal

• Grade Configuration:

  • Grades 5–6 would be housed together to support the transition from elementary to middle school.

  • Grades 7–8 would focus on preparing students for the academic and social demands of high school.
    
    

• Attendance Zones: Current middle school boundaries would be eliminated, and all students would attend the designated Grade 5–6 school followed by the Grade 7–8 school, regardless of where they live.
  
  

• Educational Rationale: The reconfiguration aims to provide more targeted academic programming, age‑appropriate social‑emotional supports, and expanded elective options.

How to Participate

1. In‑Person Testimony: Community members wishing to speak may sign up in the City Hall Chambers beginning at 5:15 p.m.

2. Livestream & Recording: The hearing will be livestreamed on Pittsfield Community Television (Channel 1302).

Next Steps

Following the public hearing, the School Committee will review all feedback and determine whether to move the proposal forward for a vote on June 25, 2025. Any approved changes would take effect during the 2026–2027 school year.

For more information, please visit https://www.pittsfield.net/en-US/middle-school-restructuring-c455a246 

Media Contact:  Office of the Superintendent  Pittsfield Public Schools  Phone: (413) 499‑9512