Middle School Restructuring Committee

Dear Pittsfield Public Schools Families,

The Pittsfield School Committee recently voted to continue moving forward with the proposed middle school restructuring after more than a year and a half of data analysis, discussion, and community input. This work is grounded in a shared commitment to equity, ensuring that all middle school students in Pittsfield have access to high-quality educational opportunities, programs, and support during these critical developmental years.

While we recognize that change can bring questions and uncertainty, the decision was made thoughtfully and with students at the center. The proposed restructuring creates opportunities to better balance enrollment, promote socio-economic diversity, and expand access to academic interventions and enrichment across schools. The district remains committed to open communication, collaboration with educators and families, and continued refinement of plans as details are finalized, all in service of strengthening outcomes for Pittsfield’s students.

Please feel free to explore this site for more details.

Sincerely,

Dr. Latifah Phillips Superintendent of Schools Pittsfield Public Schools

For questions please contact:
Reasons to restructure:

After careful consideration, we are moving forward with this plan to provide greater opportunities for all our students. Here are the key reasons for this decision:

1. To Create a Consistent and Equitable Experience Across All Schools

The new structure will standardize the middle school journey for every student in our district. This means all learners will have access to the same high-quality programs, supports, and teaching models, creating a more unified and fair educational foundation across our city.

2. To Expand Academic and Exploratory Opportunities for Every Student

We are excited to significantly broaden the range of classes available to your children. This includes:

  • More elective choices** in areas like art, music, world languages, and technology.
  • Early career exploration** through introductory Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
  • Specialized, focused learning** where teachers work in grade-level teams tailored to the specific needs of students in each grade.

3. To Strengthen Support for All Learners

Our commitment to meeting every student's needs is unwavering. The new model is designed to enhance our support systems:

  • Special Education (SPED):** All IEP services and supports will continue without interruption. The structure will facilitate better collaboration among staff to meet student needs.
  • Multilingual Learners (ML):** Dedicated ML teachers will provide targeted support during the school day based on each student's language level.
  • Social-Emotional & Academic Support:** Each middle school will have two full-time School Adjustment Counselors. We will also maintain systems to monitor and support every student’s progress, ensuring no one slips through the cracks—whether or not they have an IEP.

4. To Use Our Staff and Resources More Effectively

By organizing around grade-level campuses, we can use our talented staff, time, and resources more strategically. This allows for deeper collaboration among teachers and more targeted support for students, ultimately improving how we serve our school community.

Addressing Your Practical Concerns

We know you have questions about the day-to-day impacts of this change. Please be assured of the following:

  • Transportation: Bus ride times are a top priority. We are conducting a detailed analysis of routes, with the goal of keeping rides under one hour. Eligibility will remain based on distance (over 1.5 miles from school).
  • Staffing: We are confident we have and will retain enough licensed teachers and bus drivers. We have a proactive Staff Retention and Recruitment Strategy, including a voluntary placement process for our educators.
  • Class Size: We anticipate maintaining a student-to-staff ratio averaging 20-22 students.
  • Safety: A School Resource Officer (SRO) will continue to be shared between Herberg and Reid Middle Schools.
  • Timeline: Key planning steps must be completed this December to stay on schedule for a 2026-2027 launch. This allows adequate time to thoughtfully plan transportation, staffing, and scheduling for a smooth transition. A delay would push the start date to 2027-2028.

We are committed to a transparent and collaborative transition. School start and end times are still being finalized based on the transportation plan, and we will share that information as soon as it is available.

This restructuring is about building a stronger, more equitable future for all our middle schoolers—giving them more opportunities to learn, grow, and prepare for high school and beyond.

We thank you for your partnership and will continue to provide updates as our planning progresses.