WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The chairman of the Mount Greylock Regional School Committee may not be thrilled about the prospect of a letter from the town of Lanesborough to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, but she is glad such a letter will be discussed in an open meeting.

 

The town Tuesday posted a single-item agenda for a Thursday meeting of the Board of Selectmen at 5 p.m.

 

"Proposed letter to Massachusetts School Building Authority relating to Mt. Greylock High School [sic] Building Project," the agenda reads.

 

Carolyn Greene said she understands the concerns that Lanesborough town officials have about the cost of a prospective building project, but she believes there is a "disconnect" between some town officials and residents who generally support education for Lanesborough's children.

 

"I had heard that ... a few people, one former town official and one current town official, were going to send a letter [to the MSBA] to ask to put off or delay the project," Greene said. "I know they have concerns about costs and taxes. I know the [Berkshire] Mall is having issues.

 

"The fact that they're having a discussion about it in an open meeting is a good thing. That's a part of the process that's been difficult. They need to talk about it in open session."

 

Lanesborough is currently being courted by the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District, which is suggesting that it tuition students to its new high school or join the district for possible savings of more than a $1 million a year.

 

Greene said there is no reason to believe that voters' sentiments have changed since Lanesborough overwhelmingly supported funding for the feasibility study — the first phase of the MSBA process — at the 2014 annual town meeting.

 

"The people in Lanesborough want to support education, and this building is not getting any cheaper," she said, referring to the 1960s-era building that serves the junior-senior high school district comprising Williamstown and Lanesborough.

 

"We delay the project and we increase the cost — at a number of different levels. I understand where the Selectmen are coming from, but we need to take a long-term view. Supporting education means supporting the building project. They're completely intertwined."

 

Greene and other Mount Greylock officials will be in Boston on Monday Wednesday to discuss how the addition/renovation project supported by the School Committee will serve the district's education program going forward.

 

They likely also will be discussing the political realities of the two-town district.

 

"I've given the MSBA a heads up that town officials may be contacting them," Greene said. "I don't think it will come as a surprise to them."

 

But a letter asking to delay the building project — like a recent proposal from a neighboring school district to offer a tuition agreement to Lanesborough — is "noise" that distracts from the solution that residents of both towns favor, she said.

 

"There is nothing to be confused about," Greene said. "This project needs to move forward. The Mount Greylock School Committee and Mount Greylock School Building Committee are absolutely committed to that.

 

"This is an expensive project, and we'd like it to cost less and maybe it will. We'll certainly try to do that in the schematic design phase."