The Town Manager’s budget book is out and includes a 4.81% increase for the Region and a 5% increase for the Elementary Schools, as recommended by the Town Council. The amount for the Elementary Schools is less than the 6% increase voted by the School Committee.
The budget is here:
Where are we with the school budgets right now?
It is worth pointing out that despite this misleading headline from the Gazette, the Town Manager’s budget really doesn’t even come close to granting what the schools actually need.
- While the Budget does meet the voted request of the Regional Schools, the Region will still cut 12.1 positions. This additional money avoids cutting even more but the Region was still forced to eliminate $812,126 in spending and 12.1 positions. We are still waiting for news on votes on the Regional Budget at the three Town Meetings (Leverett – May 3rd, Pelham – May 10, Shutesebury – May31) to know the ultimate fate of the Regional budget.
- The Elementary School Committee voted a 6% increase, asking Amherst for $539,408 more than the Town wanted to pay. The Town Manager’s budget gives the Elementary Schools 5% and not the 6% requested, a difference of $269,704, meaning that the Elementary Schools will need to reduce the budget by that amount. We do not yet know exactly what positions will be affected because Dr. Xi’s initial budget options did not include a 5% budget. We know that the additional $539,048 the Elementary Schools were asking for would have restored an additional 7.3 positions, so half of that is likely the loss of 3-4 positions. This is on top of the 6.4 positions that have already been eliminated to close a $887,054 shorfall.
- So, when anyone acts like the Town Manager’s budget “nearly meets” the schools requests or needs, we should remind them that our districts are still eliminating almost $2 million in costs and 22-3 positions – so, no, the needs of our schools are NOT being met by this budget.
For those interested in the relationship between the college/university and the Town, please review this article, which tells the story of Amherst College buying a property at 355 S.Pleasant in 2001 for $4 million dollars (four times higher than appraised value) just so that the College could prevent housing from being built there. It seems that the College still has no intention of actually using the land, for which it pays minimal taxes and will presumably pay even less when the buildings are knocked down. The College was willing to pay $4 million to keep that property vacant, while ensuring that the Town has less housing and less tax revenue than it might otherwise have.
Upcoming meetings and events: (you can also find these the SOS website)
Monday May 5th 6:30pm – Town Manager will present his budget at the Town Council meeting. Agenda. Zoom Link. Or stream via Amherst Media website or YouTube. At some point the Town Manager’s presentation will appear in the meeting packet, but it hasn’t yet and he doesn’t always post prior to the meeting. Recording will be available after the meeting.
Thursday May 8th 9-11am – Finance Committee Meeting discussing the Elementary Schools and Regional Schools budgets – with school leadership in attendance. Zoom link here. Public comments in support of the school budget can be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Friday May 9th 8:00-9:30am – Cuppa’ Joe with Town Manager Paul Bockelman – The topic is the FY26 budget. Location: Bangs patio.
Monday May 12th, 6:30pm – Finance Committee Public Hearing on the Budget -The meeting will be virtual only. We will share the link when the meeting is officially posted.
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sosamherst@gmail.com (send an email to join google group)