Jason “Jake” McCandless

Jason “Jake” McCandless, Pittsfield’s compassionate superintendent, is dedicated to reducing violent behaviors among students and instituting better trauma-informed practices. He is the first one to acknowledge existing implicit biases, determined to make the district more culturally competent by partnering with local organizations sharing similar goals. He is a parent of two, on the education board for Barrington Stage, and on the board of United Cerebral Palsy of Western Massachusetts. Mayor Linda Tyer praises Jake’s “unwavering devotion to every child, parent, administrator, and teacher.”