Berkshire County Education Task Force (BECTF) has changed its name to better reflect a mission that has changed over the past two years. The new name, Berkshire Education Resources K12 (BERK12), reflects a renewed focus on creating and making available the resources school districts need in order to make the best decisions for their communities. 

“Our name and our direct mission have changed, but our goals are still rooted in the idea that strengthening public schools is essential,” said Dr. William Cameron, Chair of BERK12. “We have always viewed our role in schools’ success across the region as one of helping, not directing. Now we’re expanding the way we help – we are becoming doers as well as helpers.”

The mission – “to support Berkshire County school districts and educators by collaboratively offering solutions to short and long-term issues, in order to promote high quality public education” – evolved from how the organization met new challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. BERK12 found themselves addressing issues in a more active manner.

They created the Berkshire Remote Learning Initiative, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to make sure high quality online and remote learning for students was available to all students and faculty across the Berkshires. A Portrait of a Graduate grant, secured through the Barr Foundation, has led to the development of innovative high school reform adopted across a number of Berkshire districts. 

Based on those experiences, BERK12 plans do more, centering its action around research, collaborative projects, and public engagement.

“We’re opening the resources we’ve developed to everyone, especially those in Berkshire County,” said Brian Fairbank, one of the original founders. “While our past focus included regionalization, our refreshed goals are more about research and organizational assistance, and helping school districts of all shapes and sizes address public education needs. High quality education throughout the Berkshires is an attribute that will always serve the community well. Altering our mission aligns well with the needs of the future.”