WHO WE ARE

The 2 District, 8 Town Steering Committee is a group of community members from the eight towns that represent the Hawlemont and Mohawk Trail regional school districts. The Steering Committee works in partnership with BERK12 to closely analyze the current operating and organizational structures of the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts and create a strategy to ensure that students continue to receive the highest quality education at a cost District towns can afford.

The Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts serve over 950 preschool through twelfth grade students in rural Western Massachusetts. One of the geographically largest districts in the state, the district offers students a wide selection of extracurricular activities, innovative programs, and curriculum options. 

ONE PAGE OVERVIEW, LINK HERE.

Mohawk Trail

The Mohawk Trail Regional School District serves all eight towns (Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Hawley, Heath, Plainfield, and Shelburne. It operates four schools (grades PreK through 12) and supports 772 students (2025-26 enrollment) as follows:

Buckland-Shelburn Regional (PK-6)
Colrain Central (PK-6)
Mohawk Trail Regional (7-12)
Sanderson Academy (PK-6)

Link to Mohawk Trail website, HERE.

LInk to Mohawk Trail DESE profile, HERE.

Hawlemont Regional School District

The Hawlemont Regional School District serves two towns (Charlemont & Hawley). It operates one school (grades PreK through 6) and supports 74 students (2025-26 enrollment) as follows:

Hawlemont Regional (PK-6)

Link to Hawlemont website, HERE.

LInk to Hawlemont DESE profile, HERE.

2D8T Steering Committee

The following are members of the 2 Districts, 8 Towns Sustainability Study Steering Committee

Greg Lilly, Ashfield, MTRSD Athletic Director

Paula Consolo, Buckland, Finance Committee

Kennedy Strakose, Colrain

Rich Filoramo Charlemont, Charlemont Finance Committee

Ellen Purinton, Local Business Community

Jennifer Jason, Hawley, Community Member

Budge Litchfield, Heath

Kara Kitchen, Plainfield, Select Board

Paul Hollings, Shelburne, Community Member

Robin Pease, Mohawk Trail/Hawlemont Director of Facilities and Transportation 

Sheryl Stanton, Mohawk Trail/Hawlemont Superintendent of Schools

Martha Thurber, Chair, Mohawk Trail School Committee

Kenneth Bertsch, Chair, Hawlemont School Committee

BERK12 Research Team

The following are members of the BERK12 Research Team who will support project management, community outreach, data collection and analysis, modeling, website, and the generation of potential options and opportunities.

H. Jake Eberwein, Project manager and lead researcher

Brendan Sheran, Project research/facilitator (data, educational quality)

Mary Nash, Project research (community outreach & engagement)

Judy Rush, Project research (educational quality, organizational systems)

Robert Putnam, Project research (historical review, literature)

Matt/Mark Abrahams, Project research (finance, operations, facilities)

Mark Maloy, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Project research (enrollment, town finance & economic indicators)

Russell Dupere (legal, regulatory)

Caroline Alexander (website development)

Project RFP Committee/Interim Steering Committee

Thanks to the following individuals who served on the Interim and RFP Steering Committee. Your investment is greatly appreciated!

Will Cosby, Chair, Hawley Select Board

Hayley Gilmore, Principal, Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School

Larry Langford, Chair, Buckland Finance Committee

Sheryl Stanton, Superintendent, Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts

Martha Thurber, Chair, Mohawk Trail School Committee

Amber Tulloch, Principal, Hawlemont Elementary School

Elizabeth Van Iderstine, former Chair, Hawlemont School Committee

Cheryl Handsaker, Member, Hawlemont School Committee