Please join us on Monday 11/17 to advocate for more money for our schools from the Town of Amherst. We will rally at 6pm at Town Hall and make public comment at the meeting at 7pm. More details below.
Town Council Forum on the Budget: On Monday 11/17 at 7pm, the Town Council will hold the annual Forum on the budget. This is a critical opportunity for the public to communicate with the Town Council about budget priorities for FY27 (the 2026-2027 school year). The Town Finance Committee is drafting their budget guidelines now. These guidelines act as a map for the Town Manager to follow as he makes the budget. Town Council is likely to approve them in December, which is why we have to advocate NOW for more money for the schools. The draft school budgets are not out yet so we do not know the size of the projected deficits, but all predictions are that this will be a difficult budget year.
Please come to the meeting at Town Hall or join by Zoom to make a public comment. The time limit is likely to be 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can submit written public comment if you can’t join live. Are you nervous about making public comment? Check out our explainer for all the info you need!
Let Town Councilors know how our underfunded schools have affected your student and your family. Have class sizes, aging facilities, understaffing, outdated skillsets (underfunded professional development), or reductions in academic or extracurricular opportunities affected your student’s educational experience?
Rally at 6pm – Join SOS Amherst, ARPS SEPAC and Amherst for the People for a family friendly costume-optional rally at 6pm in front of Town Hall (4 Boltwood Avenue) to tell Councilor that budget cuts are scary!