Gateway Regional School District (Massachusetts)
Gateway Regional School District is a school district serving students from seven surrounding towns in Massachusetts including Huntington, Russell, Blandford, Chester, Montgomery, and Middlefield.
The district consists of 2 elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school providing educational services to approximately 1,000 students in grades PreK-12.
Schools
Gateway Regional's system includes
- Gateway Regional High School
- Gateway Regional Middle School
- Littleville Elementary
- Chester Elementary
- Blandford Elementary (closed)
- R.H. Conwell Elementary (closed)
- Russell Elementary (closed)
At one time, the Gateway district operated five elementary schools. Due to declining student numbers and reduced state revenue, the school committee voted to consolidate elementary schools (thereby closing Blandford Elementary School, R.H. Conwell Elementary School (Worthington) and Russell Elementary School). Students that normally would have attended those schools now go to Littleville Elementary School in Huntington, or Chester Elementary School in Chester. RH Conwell re-opened under the name of RH Conwell Community Education Center for the 2010-2011 school year and is now run as a private school by residents of the town of Worthington.
The Gateway Regional School District is known for its leadership in educational technology. Gateway has 1:1 Chromebook program that offers every students a Chromebook laptop to use throughout the school year and take home, as well as a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) option for students, with wireless (and CIPA-compliant) Internet access throughout its schools. It is affiliated with two non-profit organizations: Mass 1to1, which leases laptops and tablets to students, with a $1 buy-out option at the end of the lease) and the Gateway Education Foundation, which raises and disburses funds to enhance the educational opportunities for its students.
Gateway is also affiliated with a number of community organizations, for the benefit of the schools and larger community. Daily after-school opportunities are available to Middle School and High School students through the Collaborative for Educational Services in Northampton. Elementary schools offer after-school mini courses; Littleville Elementary School also offers a Wrap-Around Program before and after school--including school vacations and many holidays--for families. The Gateway Wellness Center is a gym that features treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, free weights and nautilus equipment to students during the day and to staff and community members (by membership) before and after school, and Saturday mornings. Gateway partners with the Gateway Hilltown Collaborative group, made up of local town government officials, to help encourage economic growth in the area and market the communities to prospective families. Gateway helps support the Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center, a local non-profit that offers GED classes and numerous workshops of interest to the broader community. Partnering with Hilltown Community Health Centers, students may enroll in "Gator Grins"--a portable, comprehensive program providing dental services to students at school--and/or the Gateway School-Based Health Center, which provides comprehensive medical care to students at the Gateway complex.
Administration
District
- Dr. David Hopson - Superintendent
- Stephanie Fisk - Business Manager
Administration
- Jason Finnie - High School Principal, Middle School Principal
- Martha Clark - High School Assistant Principal
- Megan Coborn - Elementary/Middle School Principal
- Darlene Rehor - Elementary/Middle Assistant Principal
- Kurt Garivaltis - Director of Pupil Services
- Deanna LeBlanc - Curriculum Director
- Wendy Long - Grantwriter/Community Relations Specialist
History
In 1949, the concept of a regional high school was presented to the townspeople by Superintendent, Dana O. Webber as a solution to the educational facilities problem in this valley. The idea was voted down at that time but was presented again in 1950-1951. Many meetings were held in the towns involved, and a brochure suggesting curriculum and cost was presented to the townspeople. But in 1952 the issue was once more turned down by the voters. It was not until 1955 that the matter was reconsidered. The committee spent more than a year trying to arrive at a solution best suited to the four towns, and in May 1957, Huntington and Montgomery voted in favor of accepting; Blandford had a tie vote; and Chester defeated the issue. In July of the same year, the towns of Huntington and Montgomery voted to form a two-town district, the nucleus of the eventual Gateway Regional School District. Worthington and Chester were admitted by amendment in 1959, but Chester withdrew in 1960.
At town meetings in 1961, initial funds were appropriated for capital outlay, and an option to purchase the present school site was taken. The architects and contractors were chosen, and ground-breaking ceremonies were held on June 28, 1962. Superintendent Dana O. Webber was elected Superintendent by the committee at its inception.. Mrs. Stella Belisle was elected clerk of the committee in 1961.
In the fall of 1962, the town of Middlefield requested an amendment for its admittance to the district, and in November that town was admitted. The new school began its official school year on Wednesday, September 4, 1963, with an enrollment of 240 Students.