MountainOne to Launch Children's Book Featuring Mo the Spokesgoat

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MountainOne announced the launch of its new children's book, "How to Climb a Mountain," featuring Mo, the MountainOne Spokesgoat.
 
Employees, board members, corporators, and nonprofit partners will be the first to receive the 24-page illustrated book at MountainOne's 175th Annual Meeting on April 10, 2024. It will be the first in a series of books seeking to promote positive life lessons, literacy, and financial education for MountainOne's youngest customers and community members, stated a press release. 
 
"How to Climb a Mountain" was written by Doug Murphy and illustrated by Laura Salafia.
 
The book emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the unexpected and facing fears to reach one's goals. 
 
MountainOne plans to introduce the book local libraries and elementary schools and will supply worksheets and activities to help prepare them for their financial future. They will also host book readings at MountainOne locations that will include giveaways and chances to win a Mo plushy.
 
"Mo has become a very recognizable and beloved character in our local communities. He epitomizes the thoughtful, ambitious, and self-assured nature that lives within all of us, big and small, that enables us to face challenges with confidence," said Robert Fraser, president and chief executive officer, noting that MountainOne is committed to education and service for all its customers, including (human) kids.
 
"In fact, Mo has become a celebrity in his own sure-footed right as the central figure in our advertising campaign," Fraser added.  

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Clarksburg School Officials Cut Fiscal 2026 Budget by $90K

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — School officials have shaved $90,000 out their $3 million budget for fiscal 2026. 
 
The reductions bring the total budget to $3,093,756, a 4.26 percent, or $126,346, increase over this year. 
 
The cuts include a reduction in hours in the school for the dean of students, cutting the tuition to Drury High by a third, imposing tuition for 4-year-olds in prekindergarten and trimming supplies and training. 
 
Town officials had pushed for the school to cut back from an anticipated 7 percent increase. That's frustrated school officials who point out the operating budget is only going up by 0.67 percent but covering nearly $200,000 for retirees' insurance and FICA is responsible for the hike.  
 
The Select Board was nominally supportive of the amended budget presented at Monday's joint meeting of the School Committee, Select Board and Finance Committee but held off on endorsing it until the town budget is presented next week. 
 
"I appreciate your hard work going down. We don't have the town budget ready yet, so I'm not sure if we're in trouble," said Select Board Chair Robert Norcross. "I'm not sure if I can be in favor of this if we have to cut some more. So we are going to work on that."
 
Assistant Superintendent Tara Barnes had outlined two possible options in mid-April how to get the spending plan down to 2 percent or 4 percent; the latter called for about $90,000 in cuts and reduction in positions.
 
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