PITTSFIELD — The city schools’ proposed middle school restructuring has cleared a key hurdle, as the union representing teachers has authorized its leadership to make certain changes on its behalf.

Those changes — the union called it “targeted procedural flexibility” — would include the start and end times for middle schools, and would be reached by memorandums of understanding rather than individual votes amending the contract between the School Committee and the United Educators of Pittsfield.

That’s significant for the restructuring, which will send all city fifth and sixth grade students to Herberg Middle School and all seventh and eighth grade students to Reid Middle School. The start and end of the workday are workplace conditions subject to collective bargaining.

Without an amendment to the contract, the schedule changes needed to transport middle school students to and from school next year couldn't move forward.

“This proactive step comes as the district navigates changes related to [the closure of ] Morningside, staff placements, and middle school restructuring,” the union said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. “By approving this measure, members have empowered union leadership to address necessary contractual adjustments in a timely and thoughtful manner.”

The vote was 74 percent in favor of the change, with 415 of the United Educators of Pittsfield’s 520 members voting.

A prior vote on middle school work hours, held last month, failed by nine votes in light turnout. But in the days that followed, the union reiterated its commitment to the middle school plan, and to working in partnership with the schools and interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips.

“Union leadership will continue working closely with Pittsfield Public Schools administration and the School Committee to ensure all changes are implemented smoothly and in a way that supports educators and students alike,” the union said.

“The United Educators of Pittsfield remain focused on preparing for a successful and positive 2026–2027 school year, grounded in strong communication, collaboration, and advocacy for its members," it said.