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Pignatelli Doesn’t Expect Schools To Reopen This School Year

This is a photo of State Representative Smitty Pignatelli
JD Allen
/
WAMC News
Massachusetts State Representative Smitty Pignatelli

A Berkshire County state representative says he doesn’t expect schools to reopen this school year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Smitty Pignatelli of the 4th Berkshire District made the comments after Republican Governor Charlie Baker Tuesday extended the statewide closure of non-essential businesses to May 4th.

“I will probably predict unless we significantly flatten the curve I can see that being extended beyond May 4th, which is going to be even more problematic," Pignatelli told WAMC. "I would predict right now that public schools will probably not open the rest of this school year.”

The Democrat has represented Southern Berkshire County since 2003. Schools have been closed statewide since March 17th.

Josh Landes has been WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief since February 2018, following stints at WBGO Newark and WFMU East Orange. A passionate advocate for Western Massachusetts, Landes was raised in Pittsfield and attended Hampshire College in Amherst, receiving his bachelor's in Ethnomusicology and Radio Production. His free time is spent with his cat Harry, experimental electronic music, and exploring the woods.
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