Amy Krzanik reports from Adams. With the students away for the summer, Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School (BART for short) finally had a chance to show off its newly built wing to the adults in the community on Friday, July 10. Teachers, administrators and trustees past and present joined parents, town officials and supporters from local colleges to toast to the school’s addition and those who helped make it possible. In particular, the wing’s namesake – Pam Johnson, a founding trustee – was honored for her dedication to BART and its students. The tuition-free, college prep school serves Berkshire County students in grades 6-12. Since its inception in 2004, the school has used an atrium on its lower level as gym, cafeteria and function space, a set-up which needed modifications each time it was used. The new addition makes room for a separate cafeteria, as well as a gymnasium with a stage for performances and graduation ceremonies. The evening’s event was catered by Mezze and guests enjoyed live music from the Limbshakers Jazz Band. Above, BJ and Pam Johnson pose in front of the new Pam Johnson wing.

Dan and Rebecca Riff pose with Brad Svrluga; Carol Stegeman with Jane Allen, who is the school's former acting executive director, and Joan Hunter.

Jonathan Stone, Tom Flanigan and Bill Mulholland, who is vice chair of the school's board of trustees; Brad Wells, former BART principal Ben Klompus, Janine Hetherington and Betsy Burris.

Board member Fred Puddester, Susan Puddester, board member Bill Polk and Adams town administrator Tony Mazzucco; Former board members Jodi Joseph of MASS MoCA and Chris O'Connor with BART development coordinator Leah Thompson.

Sue Lubell, the school's director of special education, and assistant principal Miles Wheat welcomed party guests into the beautiful new wing.

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