ARHS students begin solar power project

AMHERST - The governor has been talking up alternative energy, trumpeting the "clean energy vision for Massachusetts" at the heart of a comprehensive energy package enacted last month offering a broad range of incentives to go green.

Members of the Environmental Action Club at Amherst Regional High School are taking up Gov. Deval Patrick on his challenge.

Northampton school district's visioning begins

NORTHAMPTON - "The process has begun," said Bill Allen to the School Committee Thursday night. Allen, a retired superintendent who serves as a consultant with Future
Management Systems of Beverly, will head up the recently formed
citywide Strategic Planning Committee, which, in the wake of severe
budget woes that resurface year after year, will spend the coming
months working on a long-term vision for the city's school district.

Parents, committee members seek Web site upgrade

AMHERST - The town has a colorful new Web site, complete with a blog by the town manager, who uses his first entry to tout, in capital letters, "the best web site ever."

The question some parents and School Committee members have been asking is, "When are the schools going to get a new Web site?"

Sagging tax collections a threat to school buildings

BOSTON - Slowing sales tax collections are threatening to sharply undercut the pace of school construction and repairs in Massachusetts.

In general, high marks for NHS chief

NORTHAMPTON - Superintendent Isabelina Rodriguez Babcock got her long-awaited report card Thursday night at the regular meeting of the School Committee. She sat in studied silence as the annual evaluation of her performance, postponed from earlier meetings, was read aloud.

Search for Whately principal continues

Whately Elementary School starts the academic year without a principal at its helm.

Union 38 School District Superintendent Regina H. Nash said she hopes to have an interim principal in place by the first day of school.

Nash, who is responsible for hiring a new principal, will search for a permanent replacement.

Online option for classes a change at Frontier

DEERFIELD - Changes are in store for the 711 students who attend Frontier Regional School.

Students in seventh through 12th grades will find new classes, expanded computer programs, a few new teachers and a new outdoor lunch patio.

New Hingham revamps technology with $25K grant

CHESTERFIELD - Some much-needed new technology will greet students next month at New Hingham School.

School officials are investing in technology by using a $25,000 grant to fund training, technology support, maintenance, development and sustainability, according to New Hingham Principal Michael Fredette.

After 22 years, veteran teacher bows out at Sanderson

ASHFIELD - In a surprise, Sanderson Academy's principal is moving to fill the job of a veteran teacher.

Principal Budge Litchfield of Heath is looking for a new sixth-grade teacher.

Author's talk to chronicle 19th-century story of free blacks in Northampton

EDITOR'S NOTE: A Dartmouth professor will speak at her alma mater in Vermont early next month on a 19th-century family that once lived in the Northampton area. Marlboro College sent the following release.

Magazines laud UMass dining services

EDITOR'S NOTE: This morsel of news about food industry raves for the UMass dining halls comes from the university.

What's in store for the new school year

Educators around the region have surprises in store for students and families returning to school. This week, the Gazette surveys changes that will mark the start of a new school year. Reporters offer short stories today in on public schools in the area - with more coverage appearing in the Schools section later this week.